HERITAGE PRESERVATION, INC.

Minutes of Meeting, 12-19-05

 

 

Those present:  Brett Wood, Judy Tiffin, Hester Cope, Vince Brewton, Betty Champion, Mary Peck, Carolyn Waterman, Jerry Dowd, Bill McDonald, Bob Torbert, Lee Freeman, Billy Warren

 

  1. The Board welcomed Bob Torbert and encouraged him to attend all of its monthly meetings.

     
  2. Hester Cope noted that she also attended the meeting at UNA on November 15, 2005, with Garry Warren and his staff in the Archives Department of Collier Library.  With that addition to the HPI minutes of the 11-28-05 Board meeting, Bill McDonald made the motion that the minutes be approved.  Lee Freeman seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

     
  3. Billy Warren presented this treasurer’s report:
    1. Checking Account balance                                $5,472.87
    2. Forks of Cypress Account balance                   3,223.28  +  11.40
    3. Riverview Historic District balance                        295.00

 

Bill McDonald made the motion that the report be approved.  Carolyn Waterman seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

 

  1. Billy Warren distributed copies of a letter written by Bill McDonald to Garry Warren on 12-3-05 in which Bill stated that his personal archives and private papers will be given to the archives at UNA.  Billy Warren also distributed copies of a letter written by Garry Warren to Bill McDonald on 12-7-05 in which Garry thanked Bill for the bequest and reiterated the offer for Bill to have a private office in the Archives Department.

     
  2. Lee Freeman stated that he will give Billy Warren copies of all of the biographies of the personages to be included in HPI’s springtime Cemetery Stroll.  Billy will edit these and given them to Vince Brewton for posting on the website.

     
  3. Billy Warren distributed copies of a written acknowledgement from UNA in response to HPI’s contribution of $100 toward the Lindsey Stricklin Scholarship fund.  Vince Brewton reported that the scholarship fund is near enough to the $10,000 required for it to be endowed that UNA expects to award the first scholarship in 2007.

     
  4. Billy Warren reported that former HPI Board member Tom White made a $100 contribution to HPI in memory of Lindsey Stricklin.  Billy further reported that he has formally acknowledged Tom’s gift through a written message.

     
  5. Hester Cope announced that the new book by Jimmy Hill and Billy Warren, A Walk Down Walnut, is now available at these outlets:  Lori Davis Gallery, Billy Reid Pickett Place, Veranda on Walnut, Limestone House, Christian Book Store, Florence Main Street office and Anderson’s Bookland.

     
  6. In the final voting for Capital Award recipients, these actions were taken:
    1. Betty Champion made the motion that Iva and Chester McClure receive the award in the INDIVIDUAL category.  Hester Cope seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
    2. Vince Brewton made the motion that Sherry and Billy Smith receive the award in the RESIDENTIAL category.  Carolyn Waterman seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
    3. Bill McDonald made the motion that the University of North Alabama receive the award in the COMMERCIAL category for its restoration of Coby Hall.  Vince Brewton seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

       
  7. Betty Champion made the motion that these Board members whose terms expire December 31, 2005, be asked to serve another three-year term:  Jerry Dowd, Lee Freeman, Jim Ingrum, Iva McClure, Judy Tiffin.  Vince Brewton seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

     
  8. Billy Warren stated that he will determine the owner of the Victorian apartment house in the 600 block of North Wood Avenue that has recently been repainted and will write that person a thank-you message in behalf of HPI for the excellent work.

     
  9. Regarding the annual meeting on Sunday, January 15 (Sunday, January 22, in case of inclement weather), these reports/decisions were made:
    1. Hester Cope stated that Florence Main Street is glad to be listed as a co-sponsor of the event.
    2. Billy Warren reported:

                                                               i.      That he has not yet heard from Melissa Bailey whether the City Planning Department will be a co-sponsor; and

                                                             ii.      That he will have multiple copies of handouts ready for distribution at the meeting.

    1. Betty Champion will provide punch for the refreshments.
    2. These people will provide cookies:  Carolyn Waterman, Judy Tiffin, Hester Cope, Brett Wood, Mary Peck and Billy Warren.
    3. HPI will provide bottled water via Carolyn Waterman.

       
  1. Following a discussion of UNA’s plans to construct a new science building, Vince Brewton made the motion that Billy Warren write a letter to Dr. Cale in behalf of HPI asking that the new building not be located directly behind Wesleyan Hall for two reasons:
    1. It would require the razing of the Mathematics building which has historic value as the original home of Kilby Laboratory School.
    2. Its huge size would overpower Wesleyan Hall, causing Wesleyan’s distinctive architecture to be almost completely enveloped.

       

Mary Peck seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

 

  1. Lee Freeman shared the following:
    1. Three(3) copies of the latest edition of the Natchez Trace Traveler, the official publication of the Natchez Trace Genealogical Society;
    2. One copy of the Florence insert from John LaTourrette’s An Accurate Map of the State of Alabama and West Florida, dated 1837;
    3. A Diagram of the State of Alabama by James H. Weakley, dated 1841; and
    4. A Map of the Surveys in the Northern Districts of Alabama Drawn from the Returns of the Surveyors by Peel and Sannoner, dated 1817.

       
  2. Bob Torbert made this report on the restoration of the Florence City Cemetery :
    1. Several gravestone repairs have been made.
    2. The initial allocation from the City Council has been spent.
    3. Mortar and bricks have been secured for repairing retaining walls.

 

Bob will check with the Florence Historical Board and the Florence City Council regarding the current status of cemetery funds.  He will report to the HPI Board at its January meeting.