HERITAGE PRESERVATION, INC.

Minutes of Meeting, 5-29-07

 

Those present:  Jim Ingrum, Mary Peck, Iva McClure, Jerry Dowd, Judy Tiffin, Betty Champion, Lee Freeman, Hester Cope, Rhonda Dillard, Vince Brewton, Billy Warren

 

  1. The Board of Directors welcomed Rhonda Dillard who has moved to Florence from her previous home in Birmingham.

     
  2. Jim Ingrum made the motion that the minutes of the 4-25-07 meeting be approved.  Lee Freeman seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

     
  3. 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                                                    91.43
    5. Bailey Springs Project                                                     2,849.00

       

Hester Cope made the motion that the treasurer’s report be approved.  Iva McClure seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

 

  1. Vince Brewton suggested, and all agreed, that, prior to HPI’s annual meeting in January, we should mail notices to all HPI members that dues are payable each January since HPI’s fiscal year is the same as the calendar year.  The mailing should also include:
    1. A reminder of the date, time and place of the annual meeting;
    2. A listing of HPI’s accomplishments during the current year; and
    3. A listing of HPI’s goals for the succeeding year.

       
  2. Regarding the Cemetery Stroll in April, 2008, these suggestions were made:
    1. That the biographies for the 12 personages to be highlighted be completed immediately;
    2. That we station the group guides (HPI members) at the ticket location so that each guide may lead 12-14 people to the Stroll area as a group; and
    3. That we schedule the tour on a Sunday afternoon, with the following Sunday as an inclement weather date.

       

Vince Brewton made the motion that David Hope be asked to cast and direct the 2008 tour.  Lee Freeman seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

 

  1. Billy Warren circulated a photograph of the entry columns and a portion of the wrought iron fence at the Bailey Springs Cemetery restoration site.  He stated that the dedication of the cemetery project was postponed from Memorial Day weekend because a section of the fencing did not arrive.  The dedication will occur in June;  Billy will notify HPI Board members of the new date and time.

     
  2. Lee Freeman stated that he will ask Pat Mahan to scan additional Florence and Lauderdale County picture postcards into the “Penny Postcard” website.  He will also ask her to link the GenWeb site to the “Penny Postcard” site.

     
  3. In the absence of Bob Torbert, there was no report on the on-going cemetery documentation project for Lauderdale County.

     
  4. There was a brief discussion of HPI’s role in promoting the establishment of a secure, climate-controlled art museum in downtown Florence.  It was agreed that this discussion will continue at the June meeting of the HPI Board.

     
  5. Billy Warren announced that Sue King Hufstedler has made a monetary gift to HPI.  There was applause for Mrs. Hufstedler’s gracious gift.

     
  6. Jim Ingrum circulated a collection of framed miniature photographs of early residents of Florence and Lauderdale County.  Bill McDonald will be asked to assist in identifying the subjects.

     
  7. Billy Warren distributed and briefly reviewed copies of a planning session that he conducted on April 12, 2007, with representatives of Downtown Florence Unlimited (DFU) and reported at a formal meeting of DFU on May 16.  He suggested, and all agreed, that HPI has a vested interest in downtown – especially in the preservation of its architectural integrity.  He suggested that Board members read the report with an eye toward HPI’s possible support of DFU’s goals.

     
  8. Billy Warren announced that the Alabama Historical Association, a 60-year-old statewide organization dedicated to the promotion of Alabama and its history, will have its annual meeting for the first time in the Shoals.  The meeting is set for Thursday – Saturday, April 17-19, 2008.  The Holiday Inn will be headquarters for the gathering, which will have as many as 260 people in town for it.  Billy distributed copies of a flyer from the organization which invites AHA members to submit proposals for papers to present at the meeting.

     

Hester Cope made the motion that HPI pay the $35 membership fee for Lee Freeman so he can submit a proposal for a paper to present at the meeting.  Her motion further stated that Lee should bring to the June HPI meeting a few potential topics for the paper so the HPI Board can be part of the final decision.  Vince Brewton seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

 

  1. Hester Cope asked for assistance in locating non-copyrighted photographs of old Florence to share with owners of the new Hampton Inn on Court Street.  (They wish to use the photos in the interior décor of the hotel.)  Lee Freeman invited Hester to come to the Local History/Genealogy room at the public library, and he will share photos with her.  Billy Warren also suggested that she contact the librarians in the archival center in Collier Library at UNA.

     
  2. Jim Ingrum distributed copies of a vintage photograph of Miss Maud Lindsay and her kindergartners.

     
  3. Lee Freeman distributed copies of a poster advertising “The Drums of War:  Life in Civil War Florence,” a presentation by Rev. David Gregg to be made on Sunday, June 3, 2:00 p.m., at the public library.

     
  4. Billy Warren:
    1. Distributed copies of an e-mail from Frank Chaney in which Mr. Chaney suggested that HPI consider a Cemetery Stroll in the cemeteries at the Forks of Cypress; and
    2. Distributed copies of an e-mail that he sent to Liz Stillwell, senior staff member in the office of Senator Jeff Sessions, in which Billy asked for Mr. Sessions’s support of the passage of the Historic Homeownership Assistance Act.

       
  5. Billy Warren reported on these walking tours which he has recently conducted or will soon conduct:
    1. Thursday, May 3 – Wilson Park:  65 fourth graders from Harlan School
    2. Thursday, May 31 – Wilson Park:  Grandparents and children they are rearing
    3. Saturday, June 9 – Walnut Street, 10 a.m. (Open to the public)
    4. Saturday, June 23 – Wilson Park, 10 a.m. (Open to the public)