HERITAGE PRESERVATION

Bill McDonald made the motion that the minutes of the 6-27-05 meeting be approved. Jim Ingrum seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

Billy Warren presented this treasurer’s report:

Checking Account Balance $6,025.27
Forks of Cypress Account Balance 3,223.28 + 11.40
Riverview Historic District Balance 140.00

On the upcoming Cemetery Stroll, Lee Freeman reported that he has assembled the information on all 12 personages to be highlighted and that he will have them written in final form within a few days. After discussion on the topic, Jim Ingrum made the motion that M. W. Camper be substituted for Frank Perry. Lee Freeman seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. Kyle Weir stated that he is assisting Lee in locating actors and actresses for the Stroll and asked for help in assembling wardrobes for them. The committee offered suggestions and assistance, along with its expression of deep gratitude, to Kyle and Lee for their work. Lee circulated photographs from the library’s files of some of the personages to be highlighted.

Hester Cope (in absentia) reported that another walk-through at the Shoals Theater is set for August 11 by members of the staff at UNA, indication that there is still interest in the facility by the University.

Billy Warren reported that he had 65 people on the 90-minute walking tour of Walnut Street Historic District on Saturday, July 2. It was well received. Pam and Jimmy Hill, residents of the District, saved the day by serving fresh lemonade under a bright canopy erected on their lawn at the midway point of the tour. Billy distributed copies of a letter from a lady who is from Orlando, Florida, and who attended the tour.

In the absence of Vince Brewton, there was not report on the proposed Silver Pen Award.

Billy Warren reported that HPI’s role as fiscal agent for the proposed Riverview Historic District has officially begun. (See financial report under item #2 above.)

Billy Warren reported that Dr. Ed Foote and his students at UNA cannot transfer Bill McDonald’s audiotapes from reel-to-reel to a CD because they no longer have a reel-to-reel recorder. Billy further reported that Martin Dean has the necessary equipment to make such a transferal. Jim Ingrum made the motion that HPI contract with Martin for up to $100 to get this transferal accomplished. Lee Freeman seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

Billy Warren reported that the allocation of $500 will pay for reprinting 2,000 copies of our walking tour brochure. These will be delivered very soon from Mitchell Printing Company.

Lee Freeman agreed to secure the copies of local families’ papers which HPI purchased a few years ago from the repository at the University of North Carolina.

Billy Warren distributed copies of an e-mail which he recently received from David McKee, a native of Florence who is pursuing a doctorate in music at the University of Kentucky. David is composing a multi-movement musical work to reflect the rich history of the Shoals. Billy stated that he sent David a copy of the VHS, “Follow the River,” to assist with the project. Everyone agreed that this piece of music has the potential to do great things for our area. (Billy has shared David’s e-mail electronically with Mayor Irons, Debbie Wilson at the Florence-Lauderdale Tourism Bureau and others.)

Bill McDonald announced that the slave cemetery on the former Coffee family plantation has been located. He circulated a copy of a hand-drawn map that identifies the site.

Billy Warren distributed copies of an old postcard which features an older African-American gentlemen sitting on the front porch of a log cabin. The caption beneath the picture says “A happy hut, Florence, Alabama. The last of Gen. John Coffee’s Negroes.”

After some discussion, Jim Ingrum made the motion that Billy Warren, on behalf of HPI’s Board of Directors, write a letter to Dr. William Cale, President of UNA, requesting that UNA continue its plan to establish an archival center on campus – perhaps through the addition of a floor onto Collier Library. Betty Champion seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

Billy Warren complimented Bill McDonald on his ongoing series of articles on the history of Florence and Lauderdale County published in the Times-Daily. The most recent article, “Twists Unite Families’ Fates,” which focuses on Hickory Place, the home of Julia and Jerry Dowd on Pine Street, was especially interesting. Billy made copies of the article for those Board members who requested it.

The Board thanked Lee Freeman for selling copies of the VHS entitled “Follow the River” and of the audio CD entitled “Listen to the River” at the recent genealogy gathering in Collinwood, Tennessee.