1939: Rev. Thomas H. Spence Jr.
Dr. Tenney died in December 1939 and Rev. Thomas H. Spence Jr. became Acting Curator. (He was named Executive Director in 1956.)
In early 1940, Union Seminary proposed that the Heritage Foundation be moved to Richmond, VA. The proposal was declined, but it was obvious that a larger space was needed. An annex in Anderson Auditorium was provided to house collection overflow.
World War II derailed plans to expand.
Though some progress in raising funds for a new building had already been secured, much of the funding likely came from the profit ($75k) realized by housing 264 Japanese and German internees at Assembly in from October 29, 1942 until April 30, 1943.
The Mountain Retreat Association appropriated $25,000 to erect a separate building for the Historical Foundation.
They also provided the building site. The Historical Foundation pledged to raise an additional $25k.