HERITAGE PRESERVATION, INC.

Minutes of Meeting, 11-26-07

 

Those present:  Iva McClure, Cathy Wood, Carolyn Waterman, Charlotte Dean, Bob Torbert, Hester Cope, Jim Ingrum, Lee Freeman, Billy Warren

 

  1. Charlotte Dean announced that her daughter-in-law, a graduate student at the University of Alabama, has received word that she has been selected to share her research paper at the meeting of the Alabama Historical Association in April, 2008.  That’s great news!

     
  2. Carolyn Waterman made the motion that the minutes of the 10-22-07 meeting be approved.  Charlotte Dean seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

     
  3. Billy Warren presented this financial report:
    1. Checking Account Balance                            $3,941.63
    2. FDR Fund                                                         5,000.00
    3. Forks of Cypress Account                                3,234.78
    4. Bailey Springs Project                                       3,549.64

 

Charlotte Dean made the motion that the financial report be approved.  Jim Ingrum seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

 

  1. Billy Warren reported that HPI place the book, Craftsman Homes:  Architecture and Furnishings of the American Arts and Crafts Movement by Gustav Stickley, in the public library in memory of Estelle Dennis, the late sister of Iva McClure.

     
  2. Billy Warren shared a thank-you note to the HPI Board from Iva McClure for the memorial book given to the public library.

     
  3. Carolyn Waterman and Billy Warren reported on the November 8 planning meeting for the Alabama Historical Association’s Convention in April.  They noted that three workshops, two of which are open to the general public, will be held on the first day – as will a walking tour of upper North Court Street led by Billy Warren and a reception at Coby Hall.  Ninon Parker will lead a tour of four homes and one church in Tuscumbia on the final day of the Convention.  Millie Wright is the local coordinator for the three-day event.  Both Carolyn and Billy agreed that plans for the Convention are coming together very well.

     
  4. Carolyn Waterman distributed copies of a brochure regarding the Alabama Historical Association which details the Association’s purposes and goals, along with a membership application.

     
  5. Billy Warren circulated a copy of the December issue of Country Living magazine, noting that it contains a 10-page spread on Billy Reid and his family, the Reids’ great house at 507 North Walnut, and Billy Reid’s business.

     
  6. Carolyn Waterman stated that her workmen have uncovered a chimney in her kitchen during the current restoration project.  To replace some missing bricks in the chimney, she purchased bricks from the razed Sweetwater Mill building.  These bricks will add an interesting touch to the history of her house!

     
  7. Billy Warren reported that he conducted these walking tours on upper North Court Street in October in the name of HPI:
    1. October 8 – Youth Leadership Shoals, and
    2. October 25 – Waterloo High School Creative Writing Class.

       
  8. Bob Torbert reported that Mr. Beckman at Florence Marble Works will give some assistance toward the restoration of the Wilson Cemetery.  Bob is working on an estimated amount of money that will be needed for the project; he will share that figure at a future meeting of the HPI Board.

     
  9. Billy Warren distributed and reviewed copies of the letter he wrote Ms. Frances Holder regarding Mr. Lloyd Maffett’s design work on the Buffler House in St. Florian and of the letter which Ms. Holder wrote in response.  It appears certain that the house will be restored and will be open to the public since it is now owned by the town of St. Florian.

     
  10. Billy Warren distributed copies of the schedule for the dedication ceremony to be held at the Bailey Springs Cemetery on Saturday, December 8, at 11:00 a.m.  It should be an impressive ceremony, and it is set to conclude within one hour.  Billy encouraged all HPI Board members and others to attend.

     
  11. In a drawing, Hester Cope won a 2008 Engagement Calendar published by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

     
  12. Brett Wood (in absentia) provided color photographs of restored “shotgun” houses in Pensacola, Florida.  Billy Warren expressed his hope that one or more shotgun houses in Florence can be restored before all are removed from the local landscape.

     
  13. Lee Freeman distributed copies of a flier advertising Curtis Flowers’s presentation, “Thoroughbreds of the Forks of Cypress,” at the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library on Sunday, December 2, at 2:00 p.m.

     
  14. Hester Cope:
    1. Profusely complimented (and everyone agreed with her) the restoration of the former HyTech building on East Tennessee Street by Dr. Charlie Mao;
    2. Reported that the Hampton Inn on South Court Street began its “soft” opening today;
    3. Reported that the continuation of the streetscape on South Court Street from Dr. Hicks Boulevard to Veterans Drive is officially underway;
    4. Stated that the restoration of Rogers Hall is complete and may be seen this weekend on either of these dates:

1.      Saturday, December 1, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (Festival of Trees – admission charge); and

2.      Sunday, December 2, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. (Tour of Homes – admission charge);

    1. Reminded everyone of the annual downtown Open House/Festival of Lights on Friday, November 30 (5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.), and Saturday, December 1 (11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.); and
    2. Stated that a special treat on Friday, November 30, will be a public display at the library of one of only four copies of “The Night Before Christmas” handwritten by the author, Clement Moore.

       
  1. Billy Warren praised two other current projects in downtown Florence:
    1. The new paint job on the exterior of the apartment building on the northwest corner of Court and Tombigbee Streets (the building that formerly housed Blevins Furniture Store);and
    2. The restoration of the front façade of the former Lamar’s Furniture Store building.

       
  2. In a discussion about HPI’s annual meeting in January, 2008, it was agreed that the program for the meeting should focus on the preservation of cemeteries.  Tentatively, these ideas were agreed upon:
    1. Overview of Bob Torbert’s work with cemeteries and with the Lauderdale County Cemetery database;
    2. State laws governing cemeteries (Lee Freeman);
    3. Website maintained by Pat Mahan; and
    4. HPI’s Cemetery Strolls (with Bill Foster performing).

       
  3. Lee Freeman distributed copies of the November issue of Kidsville News published by the Courier-Journal which contains articles on local history written by him and Billy Warren.

     
  4. In a brief discussion on the presentation of the Capital Award at the annual meeting, Board members suggested these possible honorees:
    1. University of North Alabama (for Rogers Hall);
    2. Charlie Mao;
    3. Robert Bunch (former Pittsburgh Paint Store building on East Tennessee Street);
    4. John Harris (new law office building on South Court Street);
    5. M/M Greg Watson (Blue Olive Company on East College Street);
    6. Kevin Knight/Steve Humphrey (various downtown buildings);
    7. Rosie’s Cantina; and
    8. Michelle Farris/Chuck Hyde (private residence at 520 North Walnut).

       

There will be further discussion at the December meeting of possible honorees.