HERITAGE PRESERVATION, INC.

Minutes of Meeting, 10-26-09

 

Those present:  Bob Torbert, Andy Betterton, Judy Tiffin, Iva McClure, Betty Champion, Laura Connolly, Hester Cope, Mary Peck, Jim Ingrum, Ashley Winkle, Billy Warren

 

  1. Jim Ingrum made the motion that the minutes of the 9-28-09 meeting be approved.  Iva McClure seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

  2. Billy Warren presented this financial report:
    1. General Fund Account Balance                                  $2,523.73
    2. Forks of Cypress Account                                          $3,234.78
    3. FDR Fund Balance                                                     $5,000.00
    4. Bailey Springs Project Balance                                   $5,655.80

Bob Torbert made the motion that the report be approved.  Ashley Winkle seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

  1. Billy Warren reported that Florence Main Street’s 2010 Calendar of Historic Houses of Worship in Downtown Florence is now back from the printer.  It features the following houses of worship:  Trinity Episcopal, Wood Avenue Church of Christ, First Presbyterian, Our Redeemer Lutheran, Bethel Cumberland Presbyterian, First Baptist, First Methodist, First Christian, Calvary Fellowship, Temple B’Nai Israel, St. Mark Missionary Baptist, Eastside Church of Christ, and St. Joseph Catholic.  It will be available in various downtown businesses, at the Florence Main Street office and through the 13 houses of worship.  The cost is $5.00 per copy; 50 or more copies purchased by a person, company or church cost $3.00 each.

  2. In the absence of Charlotte Dean, there was not a report on the restoration work in progress at the Sweetwater mansion.  Billy Warren stated that it is his understanding that the storytelling sessions at the mansion, which extend through Saturday, October 31, have attracted large crowds.  Proceeds from this long running ticketed event go toward the restoration project.

  3. Bob Torbert reported that, at this point, only four graves in the cemetery at the Sweetwater mansion are actually identifiable; however, that number might change as restoration of the cemetery moves forward.

Bob has received two bids (Clark Stoneworks from Decatur; Atkins Stoneworks from Russellville) to repair the stonework in the cemetery; two sections of existing stonework have disappeared and, therefore, will have to be re-created.  The bids suggest that the stonework will cost approximately $4,000.

 

Bob stated that it would be ideal if a vintage photograph of the cemetery could be found.  He further stated that it is hoped that descendants of the mansion’s owners will pay for the cemetery’s restoration.

  1. Billy Warren distributed copies of a listing of every property in Florence and Lauderdale County that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  There are both single structures (e.g., Wilson Dam, Mapleton, the Rosenbaum House) and historic districts included in the very impressive list.

  2. Billy Warren distributed copies of the revised list of the 15 members of HPI’s Board of Directors.  It reflects Ashley Winkle’s recent election to complete the unexpired term of the late Bill McDonald.

  3. Andy Betterton:
    1. Stated that the restoration of the fountain in Wilson Park is nearing completion;
    2. Reported that funds have been approved by the City Council to replace the fountain on Mobile Plaza; and
    3. Stated that the replacement of the surface of Mobile Plaza is still a “live” issue for the City Council, but the go-ahead has not been given.

  4. Billy Warren:
    1. Reported that, because of rain, he did a presentation inside Rogers Hall (thanks to Carol Liles) regarding the history of upper North Court and North Seminary Streets to the Leadership Shoals group on Tuesday, October 6; and
    2. Reported that, because of rain yet again, he did a presentation inside Richards Education Center regarding the history of Florence and Lauderdale County to the Youth Leadership Shoals group on Monday, October 12.

  5. Mary Peck regularly checks the legal notices section of the Times-Daily to see if there are items that might have a negative impact on historic preservation in Florence and Lauderdale County.  So, today, HPI officially bestowed the title, “Legal Notice Watchperson,” on its vigilant friend, Mary Peck.

  6. Following a discussion in which there was agreement that the houses on the west side of Wilson Dam Road should become a historic district, Ashley Winkle made the motion that Billy Warren write a letter to Angie Roberts, who resides in one of the houses, offering the assistance of HPI toward getting the houses listed on the National Register.  She further stated that a copy of the letter should be sent to Hermon Graham, City Council representative for District 3, the district in which Wilson Dam Road is located.  Judy Tiffin seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

  7. Ashley Winkle made this report for Florence Main Street:
    1. In conjunction with the 2010 calendar, Florence Main Street is sponsoring an event entitled “Holiday Houses of Worship Tour” on Thursday, December 17;
    2. Dr. LaRue Harding is having the front façade of his building – which is near Billy Reid’s store on North Court Street – totally reworked;
    3. Kevin Knight  has built a new house on East Hawthorne street that meets the standards for in-fill construction set forth by the guidelines written by the Design Committee in 1996;
    4. Benji Wilson has submitted plans for a re-created bungalow on Prospect Street which meets the standards for in-fill construction set forth by the Design Committee in 1996;
    5. Rick Elliott has completed the repainting of the front façade of Ricatoni’s on North Court Street; and 
    6. Work is still in progress on the former ABC Insurance Company building on Mobile Plaza to transform it into a Music Hall.

  8. The group discussed further its possible endorsement of the entire TVA Reservation’s potential listing on the National Register of Historic Places.  The conclusion was that we are still not clear on the issues involved; therefore, the request from Mr. Charles Rose was tabled from today’s meeting.