HERITAGE PRESERVATION, INC.

Minutes of Meeting, 5-23-05

 

Those present:  Iva McClure, Jim Ingrum, Jerry Dowd, Mary Peck, Hester Cope, Lee Freeman, Bill McDonald, Carolyn Waterman, Cynthia Johnson (guest), and Billy Warren

 

  1. Bill McDonald made the motion that the minutes of the 4-25-05 meeting be approved.  Lee Freeman noted that Police Chief Samuel Weakley (item #3.c) should be Samuel Weakley Lipscomb.  With that correction, he seconded the motion.  It passed unanimously.

     
  2. Billy Warren presented this treasurer’s report:
    1. Checking Account Balance                   $6,214.27
    2. Forks of Cypress Account Balance         3,223.28  + 11.40

       

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

 

  1. Following a discussion of the upcoming Cemetery Stroll (Saturday and Sunday, September 24 and 25), the group agreed that these are the personages to be highlighted:
    1. “Mountain” Tom Clark
    2. Bessie Rapier Foster
    3. Police Chief Samuel Weakley Lipscomb
    4. “Uncle” Reuben and “Aunt” Abbeville (Thornton) Patterson
    5. Frank M. Perry
    6. Edward Asbury and Olivia (Moore) O’Neal
    7. John Baptiste Sannoner
    8. Prof. Young A. Wallace
    9. Alexander Hamilton Wood
    10. A.G. Negley
    11. James and Emily Irvine
    12. A. D. Bellamy

       

Lee Freeman will:

                                                               i.      Start the process of assembling information about each of the personages, and

                                                             ii.      Talk with Kyle Weir about selecting local actresses and actors to portray these personages at the Stroll.

 

  1. Bill McDonald reminded everyone that the grand reopening of Coby Hall will take place at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, June 10.

     
  2. Hester Cope reported that two additional groups from the University of North Alabama have now toured the Shoals Theater.  The response from these groups was very favorable.

     
  3. Billy Warren reminded everyone that HPI is the co-sponsor of the Upstairs in Downtown tour on Saturday, June 11, noon until 5 p.m. (1 p.m. until 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 12, in case of rain).

     
  4. Iva McClure and Bill McDonald reported that the “deluge” on Saturday, May 13, severely hampered the success of this year’s Waterloo Heritage Days.

     
  5. Lee Freeman reported that the Wagon Festival on Friday and Saturday, May 21 and 22, was bigger and better than in previous years.  The parade in downtown Florence and the shuttle bus between it and Arts Alive contributed greatly to its success.

     
  6. Billy Warren circulated printed materials on local antebellum houses in Florence and Lauderdale County that were gathered by WPA workers in the mid-1930’s.  These were part of the Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS).  He reported that he:
    1. Gave a complete set of the materials to Lee Freeman for the library collection;
    2. Gave a copy of the materials on the Ashcraft House to Jerry Dowd and a set on the Perry House to Betty Champion; and
    3. Mailed a copy of the materials on Sweetwater to Mrs. Smithson.

       
  7. Billy Warren distributed copies of the letter that he wrote to Chris Bishop, chairman of the Board of Directors of the Florence-Lauderdale Tourism Bureau.  In the letter, as authorized by the HPI Board, he requested $500 toward the reprinting of the historic district walking tour brochure.  He stated that he has not yet received a reply from Mr. Bishop.

     
  8. Lee Freeman reported that it can now be proved fairly conclusively that the Oak Street house was constructed in the 1840’s by a Mr. McCorstin, the bridge master for the first bridge across the Tennessee River.  Bill McDonald added that the tombstone for Mr. McCorstin is in the Florence Cemetery.

     

Billy Warren reported that it appears that the City Council will not accept the gift of the Oak Street House.  The owner, Mr. Irby, has indicated his willingness to give the house to HPI if HPI will arrange for its restoration soon afterward.  HPI could give the house to another non-profit agency or sell it at a very reasonable price (as low as $1.00) to a private party.  A museum commemorating Florence Wagon Works and/or the textile industry would be ideal for the site since both were located on the eastern side of town.  Billy asked everyone to consider ways to make this project move forward.

 

  1. Billy Warren distributed copies of a letter from Dr. Dan Howard thanking HPI for its contribution toward the restoration of Coby Hall.

     
  2. Hester Cope reported that Main Street has operated, since its inception in 1992, on the premise that the health of downtown is enhanced by people both working and living there; as a result, upscale apartments remain almost 100% occupied.  Now, the definition of “restaurant” might change from the 51% food/49% alcohol rule, allowing event centers to open in buildings not previously available.  People who live in the apartments could be disturbed with amplified music.  Is a requirement about soundproofing buildings that house event centers an appropriate measure?  She expressed hope that HPI might help to determine appropriate responses to these potential changes.  Jim Ingrum agreed to call officials in Franklin, Tennessee, to learn their solution to similar issues.

     
  3. Bill McDonald made the motion that the final edition (2004) of the Coffee High School yearbook be placed in the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library’s local history room in memory of Dr. Mary Jane McDaniel.  Jerry Dowd seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

     
  4. Cynthia Johnson appeared before the Board with a request for assistance.  She stated that she lives in the home in the Happy Hollow area formerly occupied by the well-known Dr. Stutts.  She is willing to open the house for tours and to possibly add a Civil War re-enactment and other related events to the tour.  After a discussion of Cynthia’s request, the Board asked her to develop a written plan for the event(s) and to bring it back, along with a specific request for HPI’s assistance.  She agreed to do that.

HPI