RICHMOND, VA—The Board of the Virginia Holocaust Museum named Jay Ipson, one the museum's founders, President Emeritus after a meeting Thursday night.
Last month, Ipson was ousted as the executive director, and Thursday, members made it clear, his time at the museum is over.
In a vote, the Board decided Ipson would no longer have an office at the museum but would retain an honorary title. The decision didn't sit well with some supporters.
"For somebody that co-founded this, that put his life and soul into it, how could he not be a part of it?" museum visitor Tony Jermigae said.
In past meetings, many of Ipson's supporters had lined the streets, showing their support and making their voices heard, but Thursday, Ipson requested they not come.
"I didn't want to make the board members uncomfortable," said Jay Ipson.
After meeting nearly three hours, the Board announced their decision. Ipson will always have the title of President Emeritus but will no longer have an office at the museum.
"A title is a title. I'm not entitled. I'm a Mr., I'm a Colonel, I've got other titles, I've got a doctorate. One more title isn't going to make me any different. I'm Jay Ipson, and that's the important title," said Ipson.
Ipson says he will come to the museum Friday, but his long-term future at the museum which he helped to start, is still up in the air.
Copyright 2012 by Young Broadcasting of Richmond
