HERITAGE PRESERVATION, INC.

Minutes of Meeting, 6-25-07

 

Those present:  Lee Freeman, Jerry Dowd, Betty Champion, Hester Cope, Jim Ingrum, Judy Tiffin, Vince Brewton, Brett Wood, Carolyn Waterman, Mary Peck, Cathy Myers, Rhonda Dillard, Billy Warren

 

  1. Jim Ingrum made the motion that the minutes of the 5-29-07 meeting be approved. Judy Tiffin seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

     
  2. Billy Warren presented this treasurer’s report:
    1. Checking Account Balance                               $5,418.03
    2. Forks of Cypress Account                                3,234.78
    3. FDR Fund                                                        5,000.00
    4. Riverview Historic District                                       88.43
    5. Bailey Springs Cemetery Project                       2,218.14

       
  3. Billy Warren distributed and briefly reviewed the following copies regarding the Bailey Springs Cemetery Project:
    1. A letter dated June 18, 2007, which he wrote as commendation for David Faulkner’s Eagle Scout project; and
    2. A three-page synopsis of the efforts to raise funds for a  historic marker at Camp Westmoreland (an extension of the Bailey Springs Cemetery project).

       
  4. Lee Freeman suggested these possible topics for the proposed paper that he might present at the annual meeting of the Alabama Historical Association (AHA) in April 2008:
    1. Pro-South African-Americans in Lauderdale County During the Civil War,
    2. The Clifton Shebang (i.e., “Mountain” Tom Clark, the Buggers, etc.),
    3. Religious History of African-Americans in Lauderdale County,
    4. John H. Rapier,
    5. African-American Soldiers from Lauderdale County in the Union Army, and
    6. Facts and Folklore Surrounding Frank and Jesse James in Lauderdale County.

 

After discussion of these topics, it was agreed that they should be tabled until the July meeting of the Board.  In addition, Board members were encouraged to bring other possible topics to that meeting.

 

  1. Hester Cope reported that she discovered non-copyrighted photographs of old Florence with the help of Lee Freeman and Pat Mahan at the public library and of the staff in the archival section of Collier Library.  She will share these with the developer of the new Hampton Inn since he plans to use them as part of the interior décor there.

     
  2. Billy Warren reported that:
    1. 59 people attended the walking tour of Walnut Street which he conducted on Saturday, June 9; and
    2. A large group (exact number unknown) attended the walking tour of Wilson Park and its surrounding buildings which he conducted on Saturday, June 23.

       
  3. Billy Warren distributed and reviewed copies of a thank-you letter from Rose Bauer (Rosetta Stone Gallery) for the $200 grant for façade paint.  He also distributed copies of a letter dated 6-19-07 which he wrote to Ms. Bauer as a response.

     
  4. Hester Cope requested that HPI award a grant of $200 to Mr. Charlie Mao for façade paint for his building (former HyTech building) on East Tennessee Street.  Jim Ingrum made the motion that the request be granted.  Mary Peck seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

     
  5. Hester Cope reported that:
    1. The Route of Art, a new gallery that specializes in Outsider Art, has opened in the former Milner-Hackworth Gallery building; and
    2. Mottzi’s, a restaurant, has opened in the former Nolen Cole Gallery building.

       
  6. Billy Warren distributed and reviewed copies of an editorial dated 6-20-07 from the Times-Daily entitled “Preserving the Village.”  It encourages the City of Sheffield to adopt guidelines for protecting historic properties, especially those listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  Further, it notes the economic and aesthetic advantages of having National Register properties within a city.

     
  7. Vince Brewton distributed and reviewed copies of an article entitled “Mississippi Museum of Art: Facility Touted as Part of Downtown’s Revival” from the June 7, 2007, issue of the Clarion Ledger, a newspaper in Jackson, Mississippi.  Vince stated that a secure, climate-controlled art museum located near Wilson Park would perfectly complement the library, Kennedy-Douglass Art Center and the park.  Conversation on this topic will continue at the July meeting of the HPI Board.  In the meantime, contact will be made with Barbara Broach, Head of the Department of Museums for the City of Florence.

     
  8. Lee Freeman:
    1. Distributed copies of  a flyer advertising a program in the genealogy department at the public library entitled “Dancing With Skeletons” which takes place on Friday, July 6, 6:00 p.m. until midnight; and
    2. Announced a program entitled “Drums of War:  The Civil War in Florence, Part II” which will be presented by Rev. David Gregg at the public library at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 1.

       
  9. Billy Warren reported that the supply of HPI stationery is almost depleted.  We must either reorder or redesign it. It was decided that we should table this decision until the July meeting of the Board.