HERITAGE PRESERVATION, INC.

Minutes of Meeting, 7-23-07

 

Those present:  Charlotte Dean, Betty Champion, Judy Tiffin, April Folden, Bob Torbert, Lee Freeman, Iva McClure, Michael Pretes, Hester Cope, Paul Graham, Billy Warren

 

  1. The group welcomed April Folden, history teacher at Florence High School; Paul Mahan, Florence’s Urban Forester; and Dr. Michael Pretes, Professor of Geography at UNA.

     
  2. Betty Champion made the motion that the minutes of the 6-25-07 meeting be approved.  Lee Freeman seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

     
  3. Billy Warren presented the following treasurer’s report:
    1. Checking Account Balance                               $4,850.03
    2. Forks of Cypress Account                                3,234.78
    3. FDR Fund                                                        5,000.00
    4. Riverview Historic District                                      85.43
    5. Bailey Springs Project                                       2,300.19

       

Bob Torbert made the motion that the report be approved.  Judy Tiffin seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

 

  1. Billy Warren reported the following regarding the Bailey Springs Cemetery project:
    1. Davis Faulkner was awarded the Eagle Badge on July 11 for the project.
    2. Each member of the HPI Board will receive a DVD of the project at the August Board meeting.
    3. The project will continue through a fundraiser for purchasing a historic marker for Camp Westmoreland.

       
  2. Hester Cope reported that Mike Cowart, representative for the new Hampton Inn on Court Street, met recently with the following to secure copies of non-copyrighted photographs of old local structures that are still in existence:
    1. Lee Freeman at the public library;
    2. Cecile Nabors at Collier Library; and
    3. Pat Counce – curator of the Landrum Photo Collection.

       

Mr. Cowart stated that a different photograph will be affixed to the door of each room at the Hampton.  (Everyone on the Board agreed that this plan is outstanding.)  He was highly complimentary and very appreciative of everyone who helped him with this project.

 

  1. Billy Warren distributed copies of a thank-you letter from Charlie Mao for the $200 granted to him by HPI for facade paint for his family’s gift shop building on East Tennessee Street.

     
  2. Billy Warren distributed copies of an email from Dr. Marty Olliff who will coordinate these three workshops on April 17, the first day of the annual meeting of the Alabama Historical Association:
    1. Alabama:  The History, Geography, Economics and Civics of an American State (Consultants:  Leah Rawls Atkins and Hardy Jackson);
    2. Grants for Cultural Outreach Programs:  The Alabama State Council on the Arts and the Alabama Humanities Foundation (Consultants:  Randy Shoults and Susan Perry); and
    3. Your Old Photos:  Make Them Meaningful (Consultants:  Frances and David Robb).

       
  3. Billy Warren reported that the design guidelines for restoration of houses in historic districts (developed by the Design Committee of Main Street, approved by the City Council in 1996, and used since then by the Florence Historical Board) are now posted on these websites:
    1. www.florencehistorical.org
    2. www.walnuthistoricdistrict.com

       

Having them posted on these sites will make access to them quicker and easier for anyone who needs them.

 

  1. Lee Freeman reported that the genealogy workshop, “Dancing With Skeletons,” at the public library was very successful.  More than 20 people attended, most of whom were new to the field of genealogical research.

 

Lee distributed and reviewed copies of these documents:

·        History Programs at the Library (one program per month, August through December); and

·        Help Us to Preserve Our Shared Past (plans by staff at the library to preserve historical documents and photographs through digital archives).

 

  1. Bob Torbert reported that the Hough Cemetery has been cleaned by a group of volunteers.

     
  2. Billy Warren reported that the write-ups and photographs for the 16 people who will be honored as the first group in the Walk of Honor at the new Riverwalk have now been delivered to Mayor Irons’s office.

     
  3. Lee Freeman reported that Pat Counce, curator of the Landrum Photography Collection, has agreed to allow her grandfather’s photographs to be scanned and posted on the public library’s website.  Excellent!

     
  4. Charlotte Dean reported that eight pages on Florence are included in the May-June issue of the magazine, Where to Retire.  It’s exciting to have this kind of free publicity for our town.

     
  5. Following a discussion of the matter, Betty Champion made the motion that we have the current HPI stationery and notepaper reprinted on ivory paper.  Charlotte Dean seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

     
  6. After a discussion of possible topics for Lee Freeman to present as a proposed paper at the Alabama Historical Association’s meeting in April, 2008, it was agreed that Lee should choose between these two (both are favorites of his):
    1. The untimely death of Mr. Wilson, owner of the property that is now known as St. Florian, on April 30, 1865; and
    2. The Know-Nothing Party of Lauderdale County and its newspaper, The American Democrat.

       
  7. Hester Cope:
    1. Encouraged everyone to attend events scheduled for this week’s Handy Music Festival;
    2. Stated that two new employees are now in the Main Street office:  Rosemary Hill (paid by NACOLG) and Ashley Winkle; and
    3. Reported that the commercial building at 120 East Tennessee Street (with two apartments on the second floor) is now for sale.

       
  8. Billy Warren stated that David and Marty Ellis, who have moved to Florence from the Northeast, have purchased the fine Victorian house at 417 East Tombigbee Street and are beginning its restoration.