Revised September 8, 2006

Q: Why does America’s Freedom Center Foundation wish to locate the Education Center on the VA grounds?
A: It is anticipated that locating America’s Freedom Center on the VA grounds will be beneficial for both the Historic District and AFC. The historic location is ideal for upholding the America’s Freedom Center mission of honoring veterans and educating the public about the value of freedom. Locating America’s Freedom Center on the VA grounds will also result in the restoration of the Ward Memorial Theater and will provide an additional means for honoring the veterans that visit the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center.

Q: Why did America’s Freedom Center choose to renovate Ward Theater?
A: The Ward Theater is an historic building in need of significant repair to fend off complete deterioration. AFC believes that preserving the historic structure is a worthy cause. Restoring the theater will help to maintain the integrity of the grounds, and the history of the building will provide a unique setting for educating future generations.

Q: Will America’s Freedom Center’s plans for the Ward Theater compromise the historical significance of the building?
A: America’s Freedom Center plans to restore the building maintaining its original characteristics. Any modification to the original construction of the Theater will be to accommodate necessary modern amenities.

Q: How will the Ward Theater be used?
A: The renovated Ward Theater will maintain its original features as a theater. The theater setting will allow visitors to be the audience or even cast members for historical theatrical productions. New technologies will be incorporated into the theater to allow students to engage in history through interactive documentaries and interchangeable immersive exhibits that can be conformed to the theater’s stage.

Q: When will the renovation of Ward Theater begin?
A: Renovation of the Ward Theater will begin approximately six months following an official announcement indicating that America’s Freedom Center will be the future tenant of the building. It is expected that the Theater will open to visitors approximately one year after the renovation begins.

Q: What measures will America’s Freedom Center take to ensure that the VA grounds remain devoted to veterans?
A: America’s Freedom Center Foundation is concerned with the current state of the historic buildings on the VA grounds, and is committed to restoring the Ward Memorial Theater. America’s Freedom Center will honor the sacrifices of our country’s veterans and current servicemen and women. AFC will educate future generations about these sacrifices in relation to the freedom that we enjoy in this country. America’s Freedom Center believes that the veterans who have ties to the Zablocki VA Medical Center are an important part of our nation’s history and hopes to work with these individuals to share their stories.

Q: Is there a relationship between America’s Freedom Center Foundation and the Soldiers Home Foundation?
A: America’s Freedom Center Foundation and the Soldiers Home Foundation have similar missions.  Both organizations are dedicated to honoring veterans and preserving the historic buildings on the VA grounds. The Soldiers Home Foundation has been supportive of America’s Freedom Center and its efforts to restore the Ward Theater for use as an education center.

Q: What is America’s Freedom Center Foundation’s position on the City of Milwaukee’s proposed development on the VA grounds?
A: America’s Freedom Center Foundation is supportive of the City of Milwaukee’s plan to develop unused portions of the VA grounds. This support is based on the understanding that the historic buildings on the grounds will be respected and that any renovation of the buildings will maintain the qualities that earned them historic status. Additionally, this support is based on the knowledge that the City’s development will benefit veterans and the VA through the research that will be conducted within its proposed facilities and by the provision of an improved HVAC infrastructure for the VA buildings. Finally, AFCF believes that the City of Milwaukee’s commitment to a public planning process for this excess land— a process that would not occur if the land was developed by a private commercial developer—is important.

Q: How can I help America’s Freedom Center?

A: Tax deductible donations of any amount are very helpful to America’s Freedom Center Foundation. Various membership options are offered, ranging from a $25 (annual) individual membership to a $1,000 (one-time) Charter Life Membership.

Q: How can I get more information?
A: For additional information, contact America’s Freedom Center at 414-727-2744 or via email at info@americasfreedomcenter.org. Or, you may write to us at 750 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive, Suite 309, Milwaukee, WI 53202.