HERITAGE PRESERVATION, INC.

Minutes of Meeting, 6-28-04

 

Those present:  Lee Freeman, Vince Brewton, Charlotte Dean, Iva McClure, Betty Champion, Mary Peck, Bill McDonald, Bob Torbert, Hester Cope, Bonnie Brewer, Billy Warren

 

  1. It was noted that "Lettie Legion" in the minutes of the 5-24-04 meeting should be "Lettie Region."  With that correction, Bill McDonald made the motion that the minutes be approved.  Iva McClure seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

     
  2. Billy Warren made this treasurer's report:
    1. Checking account balance                                 $7,045.09
    2. Forks of Cypress account

                                                               i.      Checking account balance                       3,223.38

                                                             ii.      Savings account balance                              11.40

 

  1. Billy Warren reported that Camille Bowman has accepted our invitation to conduct a seminar on the restoration of gravestones.  She also accepted Betty Champion's offer to spend the night at her house.  The workshop will take place on Thursday, July 15, at 7 p.m.  Lee Freeman will check the schedule at the public library to determine whether the workshop might be held in the larger conference room there.  If that isn't possible, it will be held in the auditorium at Richards Education Center.  Camille has also offered to take a group to a local cemetery on Friday, July 16.

     
  2. Billy Warren reported that he recently conducted the following walking tours as part of the series sponsored by the Florence-Lauderdale Tourism Bureau:
    1. Saturday, June 12 – Upper North Court Street; and
    2. Saturday, June 26 – Wilson Park and Surrounding Buildings.

       
  3. Bob Torbert stated that his cemetery restoration project has received $8,500 from the Florence City Council and $1,100 from the Florence Masonic Lodge.  This amount is sufficient to pay for resetting 25-30 gravestones.  (The stone at the gravesite of Alexander Hamilton Wood will be the first.)  Personnel at Florence Marble Works will do the work.  Bob asked that HPI make a monetary contribution toward the project to help with repairing/replacing rock walls and/or fencing.  Bob presented a video entitled "Lest We Forget:  Preserving Historic Cemeteries" to the Local History room at the public library.

     
  4. With a great sadness, it was noted that Lettie Region, the caretaker of Sweetwater, died recently.  Iva McClure reported that the mother of the owner of Sweetwater has said that the family will secure the house while waiting for the owner to come to town.  Iva McClure agreed to stay in touch with the mother of the owner.  Charlotte Dean will arrange for a title search regarding the Sweetwater property.  Billy Warren will make contact with Robert Gonce.  Bill McDonald added that the cemetery at Sweetwater also needs to be restored. Hester Cope made the motion that HPI donate $100 to Bob Torbert's cemetery project in memory of Lettie Region.  Bill McDonald seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.  Bill suggested that Lettie's sister, Mrs. James Smotherman, be notified of HPI's donation.

     
  5. Vince Brewton agreed to call Margaret Taylor to get information on the Vanguard/Windsor investment program; he will report to the Board at its July meeting.  Based on his report, the Board will decide whether to give money to local preservation project(s) or to invest the money, let the account build and distribute earned interest to such projects.

     
  6. Billy Warren distributed copies of the following documents:
    1. The 1852 map of Florence (which, itself, is a copy of the 1818 map);
    2. "Wilson Park: A Brief History" by Lindsey Stricklin;
    3. "The Floor Medallion: A History";
    4. a photograph of the Florence Cycle Club in 1893; and
    5. an article on the history and potential of the Shoals area written by the late Bernarr Cresap.

       
  7. Vince Brewton announced that two articles (items "b" and "c" in #8 above) are now posted on HPI's web sites.  He stated that he is now ready for photographs from another historic district to be posted.  Charlotte Dean agreed to make photographs of the houses in the Seminary –O'Neal Historic District.  Billy Warren will provide Charlotte with a list of addresses in that district.

     
  8. Hester Cope announced that a neighborhood breakfast for residents of downtown historic districts will be held in Wilson Park on Saturday, July 10, at 9:00 a.m.  It would be co-sponsored by Main Street, HPI and the Office of the Mayor.  (The actual date is subject to change.)  At the breakfast there will be exhibits of:  the proposed expansion of the streetscape from Dr. Hicks Boulevard to O'Neal Bridge, the three proposed buildings across the street from the Post Office and other impending projects.  Bill McDonald made the motion that HPI contribute up to $100 toward the food for the breakfast.  Charlotte Dean seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

     
  9. Billy Warren reported that Sigrid Levi-Baum, who grew up in Florence, has donated a copy of the late Bertha Klenova's 400-page manuscript of her memoirs to the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library.  Billy said that he will get one copy of the manuscript made before delivering a copy to the library.  He praised Sigrid for making this valuable gift available to researchers and others who will enjoy having access to the manuscript.  He also praised Mary Shanks, daughter of the late Marie Shanks, who helped make the contact with Sigrid.

     
  10. Lee Freeman:
    1. Distributed copies of a flyer announcing the 16th annual Family History Fair on Saturday, July 10, at Collinwood (Tennessee) Middle School sponsored by the Wayne County Historical Society; and
    2. Announced that a seminar entitled "Completing the Circle" (focusing on African-American history and genealogy) will take place between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Thursday, July 29, at the public library.
    3. Bob Torbert described the repair work that Hearn Plumbing and the Habitat for Humanity volunteers, under Bob's direction, performed in the section of the Sweetwater house in which Lettie Region lived.  All Board members present thanked Bob for making Lettie's last few weeks of her life a bit more comfortable.