HERITAGE PRESERVATION, INC.

Minutes of Meeting, 4-26-04

 

Those present:  Hester Cope, Betty Champion, Jerry Dowd, Bill McDonald, Lee Freeman, Iva McClure, Susan Hargett, Billy Warren

 

  1. Bill McDonald made the motion that the minutes of the 3-29-04 meeting be approved.  Susan Hargett seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

     
  2. Billy Warren reported that Randall Bruce, the Graphic Arts teacher at Coffee High School, is experimenting with the DVD version of "Follow the River" to determine whether he can correct the apparent glitch in the DVD.  A survey of the Board members showed that every member present who owns a DVD is able to play it successfully.  It was agreed that Billy will ask Mr. Bruce to proceed with the DVD duplication so it can be distributed at the May meeting.  If everyone is able to play the DVD successfully, we will go ahead with selling it (with a printed disclaimer attached stating that it might not play on older models).

     
  3. It was agreed that Billy Warren will contact Shane Wilson to get the master of the DVD, the master of the audio CD and the 59-minute master of the VHS of "Follow the River."

     
  4. Billy Warren encouraged everyone to visit HPI's web site (www. florencehistorical.org) and to visit the links connected to it.  He asked for assistance in determining the source of nostalgiaville.com so we can correct the errors on it if possible.

     
  5. Lee Freeman:
    1. Reported that he has asked Pat Mahan for a disk of her pictures of old houses in Florence but hasn't received it yet;
    2. Recommended that everyone visit Pat Mahan's web site (www.rootsweb.com/~allauder/);
    3. Asked everyone to assist him in finding the maiden name of Mattie Dube', a Paris-trained artist who was born in Florence, Alabama, in 1861, and who exhibited her art at the Exposition in 1893;
    4. Stated that Irwin Coleman is writing a history of the local Jewish Temple in Florence, including its roots in the original temple in Sheffield; and
    5. Circulated a picture of the 1921 reunion of local Confederate veterans which was held at Mars Hill.

       
  6. Billy Warren shared copies of the note of appreciation from Sam and Connie Stricklin for the books placed in the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library by HPI.

     
  7. Jerry Dowd announced that "Follow the River" received Honorable Mention at the recent George Lindsey Film Festival.  It passed the first judging (from 71 entries to the 40 considered best), making it one of the finest in the Festival.

     
  8. Bill McDonald:
    1. Circulated a copy of A History of Elgin Crossroads and Nearbys, a newly-published book which Bill said is excellently done;
    2. Asked for help in identifying for Mayor Jordan a building with the letter "G" engraved in it which is located at the rear of the property where Gilbert School was located;
    3. Stated that consideration is once again being given to moving the Indian Mound Museum into the former pro shop building at McFarland Park; and
    4. Agreed to write the script for a historic marker for Bethel-Lauderdale Cemetery if money is forthcoming to pay for the marker.

       
  9. Hester Cope:
    1. Announced that Backyard Burgers will open on South Court Street on May 3;
    2. Announced that the law office of Harris and Harris is being rebuilt (as a two-story building) on South Court Street;
    3. Stated that A. Z. Perkins and Judge Clinton Smith are hoping to acquire a historic marker for Bethel-Lauderdale Cemetery (an African-American cemetery);
    4. Agreed to contact Bob Torbert if money is generated for a marker for the Bethel-Lauderdale Cemetery; and
    5. Announced that Kevin Jangaard has been employed by UNA to design the renovation of Coby Hall and asked for old pictures of it (the name of Sue King Hufstedler was suggested as a person who has pictures).

       
  10. Billy Warren stated that he will visit Pat Mahan's web site and, if it seems appropriate, ask Vince Brewton to link HPI's site to it.

     
  11. Lee Freeman reported than 20 students took the genealogy class which he and Darrell Russel taught at the public library.  It extended eight weeks instead of six and all enrollees stayed with it.  The class was so popular that it will be repeated.

     
  12. Billy Warren distributed copies of an article written by a student at Coffee High School in 1925 about the completion and international importance of Wilson Dam.

     
  13. Hester Cope agreed to contact officials at Alabama Public Television about the possibility of airing "Follow the River" on APT.  She will also ask about the format (VHS or DVD) preferred for the broadcast.

     
  14. Billy Warren distributed copies of a picture of the late Miss Alta Shelton whose house on West Tuscaloosa Street (before it was torn down for the construction of the office building which now houses Dr. Mann and others) included three log cabins.  He gave the original picture to Lee Freeman for the library's collection.