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This letter is in response to "Group hasn't given up on museum dedicated to honoring its history" (The Gazette, Feb. 25).

The statement that AARCH was formed in 2001 by former alderman and historian William O. Lee and revived about three years ago does not cover the facts of origin. Lee approached John Fiessler, executive director of the Tourism Council of Frederick County, with the request that it do more in the area of black history.

Through the Historic Sites Consortium (part of Tourism Council), headed by Elizabeth Scott Shatto, that request led to a grant-funded project: to produce a guide to black history sites in Frederick.

Lee met with Shatto and an independent consultant, Peggy Burke. They came up with the AARCH name, African American Resources-Cultural and Heritage. They coined the term "aarchways" to label steps getting to the goal of making African-American information readily available.

During months of committee meetings at Tourism Council that culminated in the production of a pamphlet for a self-guided walking tour of downtown Frederick plus a driving tour to see sites in the county, there was no discussion about trying to establish a museum.

A second printing of African American Heritage Sites is planned, with updated information.

Marie Anne Erickson, Braddock Heights

The writer is author of "African American Heritage Sites in the City of Frederick and Frederick County, Maryland," a brochure available through the Tourism Council of Frederick County.