HERITAGE PRESERVATION

HERITAGE PRESERVATION, INC.

Minutes of Meeting, 2-22-10

Those present: Hester Cope, Brett Wood, Mary Peck, Bob Torbert, Jerry Dowd, Bill Kraemer, Charlotte Dean, Betty Champion, Iva McClure, Jim Ingrum, Lee Freeman, Billy Warren, Vince Brewton

1. It was noted that item #10 in the minutes of the 12-14-09 meeting should say "goals in 2010," not "goals in 2009." With that change, Betty Champion made the motion that the minutes of both the 12-14-09 and 1-17-10 be approved. Jerry Dowd seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

2. Billy Warren presented these two financial reports:

a. January 17, 2010:

i. Checking Account Balance $2,689.73

ii. Forks of Cypress Account Balance $3,234.78

iii. FDR Account Balance $5,000.00

iv. Bailey Springs Project Balance $4,071.80

b. February 22, 2010:

i. Checking Account Balance $2,895.73

ii. Forks of Cypress Account Balance $3,234.78

iii. FDR Account Balance $5,000.00

iv. Bailey Springs Project Balance $3,458.38

Bob Torbert made the motion that the reports be approved. Vince Brewton seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

3. Billy Warren distributed copies of these documents:

a. Accomplishments of HPI in 2009

b. Goals of HPI in 2010

c. HPI Board of Directors, 2010-2012

d. Recent Restoration Projects

e. Capital Awards Master List (Through January, 2010)

f. Property Listings: National Register of Historic Places

4. Regarding the location of halfway houses, it was noted that such establishments may, by law, be located in any part of a city.

5. Lee Freeman verbally shared a tentative listing of personages to be highlighted in the annual Cemetery Stroll on Saturday, April 24. He stated that he will have all biographies completed and in the hands of Amanda Perry by Monday, March 1. Betty Champion suggested that Carolyn McCullom be asked to return to portray her own mother, Lizzie Hitchcock Cole. Billy Warren suggested that we honor the request of Larry Faulkner that a local person active in the early days of the Boy Scouts be included in the Stroll, since 2010 is the centennial year for the Scouting movement.

6. Lee Freeman distributed copies of a document that declares the Cypress Cotton Mill/Martin Factory Cemetery to be officially listed on the Registry of the Alabama Cemetery Preservation Alliance. Lee stated that the paperwork to obtain this official designation was completed by Billy Sledge, one of his regular patrons at the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library. Lee also noted that Mr. Sledge is interested in coordinating a clean-up campaign at this cemetery.

Hester Cope stated that original documents regarding the Martin Mills and the village surrounding this industrial complex still exist and are owned by a local family. She suggested that an archaeological dig at the site would be an excellent project that would probably yield interesting information about the early years of Florence.

7. Bob Torbert stated that it was reported to him that pieces of gravestones in the Sweetwater Mansion Cemetery have been moved to the basement of the mansion for safekeeping. Charlotte Dean stated that she will check on this report.

8. Charlotte Dean reported that the stabilization work on the foundation of the Sweetwater Mansion has been completed, including the rebuilding of the steps leading into the basement. She asked whether the roof on the mansion is original to the structure. Lee Freeman stated that he will do research on her question and will notify her of the results.

9. Because it is a new book about W. C. Handy and because Lee Freeman is credited in the book for assisting the author in his local research, Billy Warren distributed copies of a review of W. C. Handy: The Life and Times of the Man Who Made the Blues. The author is David Robertson, and the reviewer is Adam Gussow. The review appeared in the Fall, 2009, issue of the Southern Register which is published quarterly at the University of Mississippi.

10. Betty Champion circulated a grand photograph of the wedding party at the marriage, in 1935, of her mother and father, Elizabeth (Dabney) and Marcie Bradshaw Darnall. Interestingly, the photograph was made in the house where Betty lives at 724 North Wood Avenue.

11. Referring to the lead article in the November-December, 2007, issue of Preservation Report, the bi-monthly newsletter of the Alabama Historical Commission, Billy Warren noted that the Friends of the General Joe Wheeler Home Foundation has recently donated $200,000 toward the restoration of that fine property. This gift will enable the restoration of the Wheeler House to be completed in 2011.

12. Billy Warren circulated a photograph of Florence High School in Florence, Arizona, noting that its architecture reflects its Southwestern setting.

13. Billy Warren distributed copies of a multi-page document entitled „Design Guidelines for Commercial Buildings in the Historic Downtown District of Florence, Alabama." He stated that this document was developed by the Design Committee of Florence Main Street, that it has been accepted by the City Council, and that it is now being used as the official standard by the Florence Historical Board when an owner of a commercial building in the Downtown Florence Historic District wishes to make changes to the exterior of such a building.

14. Billy Warren stated that, according to the January-February, 2010, issue of Preservation Report, these two important pieces of legislation have been introduced into the current Congressional session:

a. Historic Homeowners Revitalization Act of 2009 (H.R. 3670) – amends the IRS Code to expand incentives (i.e., 20% federal tax credit) for homeowners for "qualified rehabilitation expenditures made by a taxpayer to a qualified historic home." This bill was introduced by Rep. Russ Carnahan (D-Missouri).

b. Community Restoration and Revitalization Act (H.R. 3715 and S. 1743) – changes the federal rehabilitation tax credit program to further encourage the reuse of historic buildings and to promote energy efficiency. This bill was introduced – actually reintroduced – by Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AR); Olympia Snowe (R-ME); Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D-PA); and Rep. Pat Tiberi (R-OH).

Jim Ingrum made the motion that Billy Warren write a letter on behalf of HPI in support of H.R. 3670 to Rep. Russ Carnahan, with copies to Senators Richard Shelby and Jeff Sessions and Representative Parker Griffith. Betty Champion seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

Vince Brewton made the motion that Billy Warren write a letter on behalf of HPI in support of H. R. 3715 and S. 1743 to Senators Blanche Lincoln and Olympia Snowe and Representatives Allyson Schwartz and Pat Tiberi, with copies to Senators Richard Shelby and Jeff Sessions and Representative Parker Griffith. Jim Ingrum seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

15. Lee Freeman announced that the Natchez Trace Genealogical Society has scheduled a Family History Fair to be held at Richards Education Center on Saturday, March 13, from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Admission is $2.00 per person. Table reservation to display genealogical research is free. Betty Champion made the motion that HPI reserve a table and set up a TV to play the "Follow the River" video (with copies of the video for sale). Jerry Dodd seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously Lee Freeman volunteered to oversee sales of the video and other materials that HPI might offer.