HERITAGE PRESERVATION, INC.

Minutes of Meeting, 6-22-09

 

Those present:  Iva McClure, Jim Ingrum, Mary Peck, Jerry Dowd, Lee Freeman, Carolyn Waterman, Bob Torbert, Brett Wood, Ashley Winkle, Judy Tiffin, Amanda Perry, Billy Warren

 

  1. The Board expressed great sadness over the loss of Florence’s beloved Bill McDonald.  After discussing the matter, the Board agreed that it should stage a “Bill McDonald Day” near his birthday in May, 2010.  Suggestions for activities for the day included:
    1. Storytelling,
    2. Walking Tours,
    3. Open Houses (both residential and commercial buildings), and
    4. Displays in the Public Library and in the Pocket Museum.

 

In addition to a “Bill McDonald Day,” the Board suggested:

                                                               i.      That a “Bill McDonald Reading List” be developed at the public library to include all of the books which he wrote;

                                                             ii.      That the HPI Board offer to assist the Mayor and City Council in the selection of Bill’s successor for the esteemed office of City Historian; and

                                                            iii.      That the HPI Board advocate the establishment of the Bill McDonald Archival Center for Florence and Lauderdale County.

 

Billy Warren stated that HPI will follow its custom by placing a book in the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library in Bill McDonald’s memory.

 

  1. Jim Ingrum made the motion that the minutes of the 5-18-09 meeting be approved.  Lee Freeman seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

     
  2. Billy Warren presented this financial report:
    1. Checking Account Balance                               $3,538.13
    2. Forks of Cypress Account Balance                   $3,234.78
    3. FDR Account Balance                          $5,000.00
    4. Bailey Springs Account Balance                        $4,261.90

       

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

 

  1. Billy Warren reported that the annual fee for HPI’s website has been paid to the provider, HIWAAY.net.

     
  2. Billy Warren distributed copies of the letter that he wrote, per the Board’s direction, thanking Stacey Dean for the bottled water that she provided for the Cemetery Stroll on Saturday, April 25.

     
  3. Billy Warren circulated two vintage photographs of the fountain at Wilson Park which Lee Freeman had provided.  The photographs show the third tier very clearly.  Billy reported that the artists who are working on the restoration of the fountain have been visited on the site by many people expressing excitement over the project.

     
  4. Bob Torbert reported no new developments in the restoration of the Wilson Family Cemetery.  He did report, however, that the property on the southwest corner of Tuscaloosa and Chestnut Streets has been donated to the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity.  He stated that the house to be built there will be designed to blend with surrounding architecture.  Mary Peck offered some “gingerbread work” to add to the exterior of the new house, and Bob accepted it eagerly.

     
  5. Billy Warren reported that the 4’ x 6’ granite map of Florence in 1852 has been delivered and that workers from the City Street Department have installed it flush with the sidewalk on the southwest corner of Court and Tennessee Streets.  He further reported that the Florence Main Street’s Design Committee is scheduled to meet today to set a date and time for the formal unveiling of the map.

     
  6. Ashley Winkle made this report for Florence Main Street:
    1. Florence Main Street’s fundraiser, “Inside Downtown,” was held Friday evening, June 12, and was dubbed a successful event.
    2. Street Department workers, under the direction of David Koonce, will begin soon to repair and replace curbs at various locations throughout the downtown area.
    3. The city has purchased five additional trash receptacles (to match existing ones) which will be placed strategically in downtown locations.
    4. Whitney Hill has purchased Kennedy’s Bridal and Formal Shop on North Court Street and has renamed it “Cherry Tree Lane.”
    5. Billy Reid has opened his grand shop and national headquarters in the former Anderson’s Bookland building on North Court Street.
    6. Dan Duncan has restored a large house on North Cherry Street and has done a phenomenal job with it.
    7. Debra Glass is opening a business to offer walking tours and other such services in downtown Florence.

       
  7. Lee Freeman reported that he directed a walking tour of Wood Avenue on Saturday, June 6, under the auspices of the Florence-Lauderdale Tourism Bureau.  There were 60-70 people on the tour.

     
  8. Billy Warren reported that he directed these walking tours:
    1. Walnut Street, Saturday, May 30 – 78 people in attendance
    2. Upper North Court Street, Saturday, June 13 – 50+ people
    3. Upper North Court Street, Tuesday, June 16 – 52 people

 

The first two walking tours listed above were under the auspices of the Florence-Lauderdale Tourism Bureau; the third one accommodated people who were in town from all over the country for the program sponsored by Bethel Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Florence.

 

  1. Billy Warren distributed draft copies of a letter to Senator Richard Shelby and Representative Parker Griffith asking for the status of and support for the passage of the Historic Homeownership Assistance Act which would offer the same 20% tax credit for private residences in National Historic Districts that commercial properties in such Districts currently enjoy.  Brett Wood made the motion that Billy be authorized to send the letter to both Senator Shelby and Congressman Griffith.  Carolyn Waterman seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

     
  2. Ashley Winkle presented a written request from Whitney Hill, owner of Cherry Tree Lane, for a $200 grant toward the purchase of paint for the façade of her new store at 305 North Court Street.  Carolyn Waterman made the motion that the request be approved.  Jerry Dowd seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

     
  3. Amanda Perry made the request that HPI become a sponsor for this year’s Handy’s on the Plaza event.  Mary Peck made the motion that HPI donate $150 toward this event.  Iva McClure seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.  By becoming a sponsor, HPI will be allowed to distribute information at the event.  Jerry Dowd suggested that HPI set up a television and DVD player so that “Follow the River: A History of Florence and Lauderdale County” could run continuously during both days of the event – and sell copies of the DVD.

     
  4. Because of time constraints, there was no discussion of either the proposed virtual walking tours or the posting of more photographs of historic homes on HPI’s website.