HERITAGE PRESERVATION

HERITAGE PRESERVATION, INC.

Minutes of Meeting, 6-27-05

Those present: Lee Freeman, Judy Tiffin, Hester Cope, Carolyn Waterman, Betty Champion, Iva McClure, Mary Peck, Bill McDonald, Billy Warren, Cynthia Johnson, Vince Brewton

Bill McDonald made the motion that the minutes of the 5-23-05 meeting be approved. Carolyn Waterman seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
Billy Warren presented this treasurer’s report:
1. Checking Account Balance $6,113.27
2. Forks of Cypress Account Balance $3,223.28 + 11.40

Bill McDonald made the motion that the report be approved. Mary Peck seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

Regarding the upcoming Cemetery Stroll, Lee Freeman reported that:
1. He has completed the biographical sketches on two of the personages to be highlighted on the tour and will have three additional ones completed soon; and
2. He has talked with Kyle Weir about assembling a group of actors for the Stroll.

Everyone agreed that we should have all of the biographies completed and the actors designated by our next meeting on Monday, July 25.

Upon Vince Brewton’s suggestion, Lee Freeman agreed to make contact with Terry Pace to get him involved in the Stroll.

Hester Cope reported that she has had another meeting with representatives from the administrative staff at UNA and the mortgage holder of the Shoals Theater building. The prospect continues to look favorable regarding UNA’s purchase of the building.
Billy Warren stated that he will lead the final walking tour in this year’s series sponsored by the Florence-Lauderdale Tourism Bureau, and he invited everyone to attend. The tour, which takes place Saturday, July 2, at 10:00 a.m., features the homes in Walnut Street Historic District.
Billy Warren reported that the Florence-Lauderdale Tourism Bureau has agreed to provide $500 to HPI to have the Historic District brochures reprinted. Carolyn Waterman made the motion that we have the existing brochure reprinted with the $500 grant and that we explore the possibility of developing an expanded brochure to include other historic districts. Hester Cope seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
Hester Cope stated that the possibility of soundproofing certain commercial buildings in downtown Florence, especially if the proposed change in the definition of “restaurant” occurs, should be studied. She further stated that the Mayor has indicated his willingness for such a study to occur.
Billy Warren congratulated Vince Brewton on his recent appointment as Director of the honors Program which begins this fall at the University of North Alabama. There was a hearty round of applause from the group!
Vince Brewton reported that the possible reactivation of the Silver Pen Award at UNA (begun by the late Lindsey Stricklin) is still under consideration by the appropriate groups at the university.
Referring to an article in the Times-Daily on June 9, 2005, Billy Warren announced that the Billingsley-McClure Shoal Creek Preserve is now open. He led the group in expressing thanks to Iva McClure and her husband, Chester, for their willingness to sell the 300-acre preserve to Forever Wild at a much lower price than they could have received from a developer. As a result of their generosity, this almost-pristine forest area will be accessible to the public free of charge!
Hester Cope made this report for Main Street:
1. Marcus Thompson’s project (constructing three buildings across the street from the Post Office) is scheduled to begin in late August or early September.
2. An exciting project is slated to replace the building that houses the Homestead Inn on Court Street.
3. Walgreen’s is scheduled to construct a building on Court Street at the corner of Dr. Hicks Boulevard.
4. The restoration of Coby Hall is completed; it reopened on June 3, 2005. An interesting book on the history of Coby Hall has been written by Robert Steen, a staff member at UNA.
5. Marty Smith has assembled an album of photographs of the Oak Street house and has given the album to Main Street.
Billy Warren distributed copies of an e-mail which he received from the antiques dealer in Rhode Island who has the collection of photographs of the construction of Wilson Dam. The dealer is willing to sell the entire collection of 700 photographs for $2,000. Billy said that he has forwarded the e-mail to William Smith for William’s consideration.
Bill McDonald made the motion that HPI serve as the fiscal agent for the proposed Riverview Historic District. Vince Brewton seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
Bill McDonald:
1. Reported that the restoration of Rogers Hall is to be done now that Coby Hall has reopened; and
2. Presented two reel-to-reel audiotapes on the history of Florence that feature Bill interviewing Rev. Hiram Douglass.
Billy Warren agreed to talk with Dr. Ed Foote about the possibility of getting the two reel-to-reel tapes (see 14b above) transferred to cassettes or CD’s.
Cynthia Johnson made this report on the project related to the history of Greenhill:
1. A non-profit organization, the Crystal Springs Foundation, has been formed.
2. Saturday, October 8, has been set for the “Greenhill Homecoming.”
3. Fundraisers (e.g., a cookbook, sale of bottled water, sale of hand-held fans, etc.) are under consideration.
4. A seamstress has been hired to begin to create costumes for the celebration.
5. These activities are under consideration for the celebration:

i. Tours of cemeteries in the Greenhill cemeteries,

ii. Civil War re-enactment,

iii. Musicians,

iv. Actors, and

v. Wagons from the old Florence Wagon Works.

The written plan is not yet complete. When that happens, Cynthia will present it to the HPI Board – with specific ideas for HPI’s involvement.

Bill McDonald distributed copies of a vintage photograph of Rogers Department Store which also features pictures of Major B. A. Rogers and his two sons, B. A. Rogers and T. M. Rogers.