HERITAGE PRESERVATION, INC.

Minutes of Meeting, 4-25-07

Those present:  Lee Freeman, Bob Torbert, Jerry Dowd, Vince Brewton, Judy Tiffin, Mary Peck, Iva McClure, Cathy Myers, Carolyn Waterman, Billy Warren

1. Vince Brewton made the motion that the minutes of the 3-26-07 meeting be approved.  Mary Peck seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
   
    
2. Billy Warren presented this treasurer’s report:
   1. Checking Account Balance                                           $5,207.53
   2. Forks of Cypress Account                                            3,234.78
   3. FDR Fund                                                                    5,000.00
   4. Riverview Historic District                                                   94.43
   5. Bailey Springs Project                                                   1,911.00
      
       

Judy Tiffin made the motion that the report be approved.  Jerry Dowd seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

3. Billy Warren distributed copies of the article written by Cathy Myers and published in today’s Time’s Daily regarding the Cemetery Stroll on Saturday, April 28.  There was hearty applause for the excellent job done by Cathy.
   
    
4. The Board reviewed the agreed-upon responsibilities for the upcoming Cemetery Stroll.  In addition to those agreements, Jerry Dowd volunteered to escort a group on the tour.  Bob Torbert reported that he has:
   1. Secured a porta-john for the Stroll from a vendor who provided it free of charge; and
   2. Arranged for the grass at the cemetery to be mowed by city workers.
      
       
5. Billy Warren distributed and reviewed a multi-page report on Davis Faulkner’s Eagle Scout project at the Bailey Springs Cemetery.  Billy stated that the HPI Board members are encouraged to attend the dedication of the cemetery restoration on Saturday, May 26.  More details will be forthcoming.
   
    
6. Mary Peck circulated a collection of postcards featuring local scenes and buildings.  Following a discussion of the possibility of posting images of these postcards on the Internet, Lee Freeman agreed to:
   1. Ask Pat Mahan to review the postcards that Mary brought today and to post on Pat’s GenWeb site any of these cards that aren’t there already; and
   2. Ask Pat Mahan to link the “Penny Postcard” site to the GenWeb site that she manages.
      
       
7. Billy Warren distributed and briefly reviewed copies of an article entitled ‘Documenting Cemeteries in the Digital Age” from the March, 2007, issue of  The Alabama Angel, the newsletter published by the Cemetery Restoration Project of the Alabama Historical Commission.
   
    
8. Billy Warren distributed and briefly reviewed copies of a four-page document related to the Frank Lloyd Wright/Rosenbaum House.  He explained that this document came from a project sponsored by HPI several years ago.  For one of its annual meetings, HPI brought a speaker from the School of Architecture at Auburn University and conducted a tour of the Rosenbaum House.  More than 800 people attended!  Carolyn Waterman noted her surprise (and pleasure) that so many people come to Florence specifically to tour the Rosenbaum House.
   
    
9. Billy Warren circulated a copy of an oversize vintage postcard published by the State of Georgia to promote historical tourism there.  All Board members agreed that the postcard is an excellent advertising piece.  Billy stated that he will give it to the staff at the Florence-Lauderdale Tourism office for their possible adaptation for promoting historical tourism in Florence and Lauderdale County.
   
    
10. Bob Torbert reported that the family on North Cherry Street has moved into its new Habitat House.  He also stated that Shoals Habitat House #52 is now under construction in Sheffield.
    
     
11. Billy Warren reported that Paul Graham, head of Florence’s Department of Urban Forestry, wants suggestions about the care and keeping of trees in historic districts.  Paul asked Billy to form a committee of people who will serve in this capacity.  Billy asked HPI Board members to be part of the committee.  He will send an e-mail to all Board members when he learns the date, time and place for the committee’s initial meeting.
    
     
12. Billy Warren reported that efforts are underway, in conjunction with appropriate officials at Florence City Hall, to determine ways to “calm” traffic on residential streets.  He suggested that HPI Board members log onto www.camlingtraffic.org to see how cities in America and Europe are addressing this issue.
    
     
13. Mary Peck reported on some successful restoration work in progress at her house.  Mary is to be highly commended for the meticulous care she gives to her fine, historical home.
    
     
14. Vince Brewton stated that Florence should have a climate-controlled, secure art museum so it can mount permanent collections and host important traveling exhibits.  Further, he stated that such a museum should be located in downtown Florence.

Bob Torbert made the motion that HPI go on record as favoring the establishment of a climate-controlled, secure art museum in downtown Florence.  Carolyn Waterman seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

 

This topic will be discussed further at future meetings of the HPI Board of Directors.

 

15. Lee Freeman distributed copies of a poster which advertises a program at the public library on Saturday, May 5, at 2:00 p.m.  Pat Mahan will present a program on Mattie Dube’, a Parisian artist with Northwest Alabama roots.  Lee encouraged everyone to attend.