HERITAGE PRESERVATION, INC.
Minutes of Meeting, 7-28-08

 

Those present:  Brett Wood, Iva McClure, Betty Champion, Judy Tiffin, Mike Pretes, Mary Peck, Lee Freeman, Bob Torbert, Ashley Winkle, Todd Nix, Kitty Cox, Dick Jordan, Billy Warren

  1. It was noted that item #15 in the minutes of the 6-23-08 meeting should say “Louis” Gibbs, not “Lee” Gibbs.  With that correction, Bob Torbert made the motion that the minutes be approved.  Lee Freeman seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
     
  2. Billy Warren presented this treasurer’s report:
    1. Checking Account Balance                            $4,366.53

+   135.00

$4,501.53

-            20.00

$4,481.53

                        Deposit:  $135.00

                        Expenditures:  HiWAAY Internet:  $20.00

    1. FDR Fund                                                       $  5,000.00
    2. Forks of Cypress Project                                 $  3,234.78
    3. Bailey Springs Cemetery Project                    $12,791.74

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

  1. Iva McClure, Lee Freeman and Kitty Cox reported that the Genealogy Conference held in late June was very successful.  All three commented on the high quality of the presenters and the good workshop sessions.  Kitty Cox stated that Angela Broyles is already at work planning the Genealogy Conference for 2009.
     
  2. Bob Torbert reported that work has not yet begun on the restoration of the Wilson Family Cemetery.
     
  3. Betty Champion reported that her mother, Liz Gerber, has identified the subject in one of the G. W. Landrum portraits found under the linoleum in the former HyTech building as Lee Glenn, a former Mayor of Florence.  Liz tentatively identified the subject – an infant – of a second portrait, but she could not identify the adult female in the third portrait.  HPI Board members expressed their deep gratitude to Betty Champion and to Liz Gerber for their assistance int eh identification process.  Eventually, all three will be donated to the Local History/Genealogy Room at the public library.
     
  4. Billy Warren distributed copies of a letter of appreciation he wrote, per directions of the Board, to the anonymous donor who funded the replication of the Shoals Theatre sign atop the marquee at the theater.

Regarding the theater, Ashley Winkle reported that interior renovations there, including a huge expansion of the stage, are proceeding apace.

  1. Billy Warren distributed paper copies of an e-mail which he wrote Mr. James Schwartz, author of the article on the Frank Lloyd Wright Rosenbaum House which appeared in the July-August issue of Preservation magazine.  In the letter, Billy expressed sincere thanks for the excellent article and for the invaluable publicity that it brings to Florence.
     
  2. Billy Warren exhibited a copy of a document entitled “Understanding Preservation Easements: Issues and Opportunities,” which HPI recently received compliments of Jim Noles, Jr., an attorney in Birmingham with the prestigious firm, Balch and Bingham.  This document is a really valuable information piece to add to HPI’s files since HPI has been involved in the easement process in the past (e.g., Forks of Cypress Project) and is likely to confront it again.

Billy distributed copies of a letter which he wrote to Jim Noles, Jr. to thank him for his thoughtfulness in sending a copy of the document on easements.

  1. Billy Warren stated that residents of Walnut Street recently pooled their resources and their physical energies to create an attractive landscape on the city right-of-way at the corner of Walnut Street and Hermitage Drive.  Such a collaborative beautification project definitely qualifies as a restoration effort.

 

  1. Ashley Winkle made this Main Street report:
    1. The W. C. Handy Music Festival events in downtown Florence went very well.
    2. The new bar and grill, On the Rocks, was responsible for the party that occurred during the Handy Festival on Court Street between Tennessee and Mobile Streets.
    3. The Wine Cellars at Mapleton is moving to the building formerly occupied by Lori Davis Gallery on North Court Street and is changing its name to the Wine Sellers.
    4. The owners of Ye Ole General Store will soon freshen the front of their building with a new paint job.
    5. The Main Street website will be “up and running” before much more time elapses.

       
  2. An in-depth discussion on the possible restoration of the fountain at Wilson Park took place, with the following reports/statements being offered:
    1. Hester Cope reported:

                                                              i.      That Mayor Irons is in favor of the project and wants to see it go forward;

                                                            ii.      That she was not able to locate a copy of the plans proposed a few years ago by Fowler Architects for the renovation/restoration of Wilson Park, including the fountain; and

                                                          iii.      That she invited Todd Nix, head of the new City Department that oversees many community services, to come to today’s meeting to share information about proposed work on the fountain.
 

    1. Jim Ingrum (in absentia) reported:

                                                              i.      That Joe Ware and other members of the Kennedy-Douglass Trust are in favor of the restoration of the fountain;

                                                            ii.      That, according to Joe Ware, the company in Memphis that installed the fountain years ago is still in business and, therefore, might have helpful information on the fountain’s restoration.

    1. Billy Warren reported:

                                                              i.      That the Jahn restoration mortar manufactured in The Netherlands was used in the restoration project at the Forks of Cypress and might possibly be used in restoring the Wilson Park fountain; and

                                                            ii.      That Wasco, the company in Nashville with a crew trained to use the Jahn restoration mortar, is still in business.

    1. Todd Nix reported:

                                                              i.      That companies which work on the restoration of masonry structures such as fountains are extremely backlogged in their work load;

                                                            ii.      That the cost of restoring the fountain would be extremely high;

                                                          iii.      That Fred Boughner, a staff member of the Parks and Recreation Department is researching possibilities relative to the restoration of the fountain; and

                                                          iv.      That Jay Gautney has proposed to make an exact replica of the fountain – by creating a mold from the original.
 

The HPI Board thanked Todd Nix for the efforts underway to restore or replicate the fountain.  Todd will keep the Board informed of his department’s efforts, and the Board committed its sincere interest and full support of the project.
 

  1. Responding to complaints and concerns about the unmowed grass on Mother’s Day weekend at Florence City Cemetery, Todd Nix made this report:
    1. The sexton is very conscientious about the cemetery and is committed to keeping it in good shape.
    2. The person who normally mows has been quite ill this spring, but he is back on the job now.
    3. The maintenance crew is responsible for 1,100 acres and for collecting money from parking meters – which keeps the crew very, very busy, especially in April and May each year.
    4. Beginning with the spring of 2009, personnel from the Parks and Recreation Department will be assigned to mow the cemetery, especially in April and May.
       

The Board thanked Todd for his report and for his deep, abiding commitment to the betterment of the City of Florence.
 

  1. Dick Jordan reported that a travel writer was in town yesterday to create a story, complete with pictures, on Trinity Episcopal Church in Florence and First Presbyterian Church in Tuscumbia.
     
  2. Bob Torbert stated that the Habitat for Humanity Store (“Restore”) has three unmatched solid brass chandeliers for sale and will be perfect for the right house.
     
  3. Lee Freeman:
    1. Stated that a memorial celebration will be held at Greater St. Paul A.M.E. Church in November to honor the late James T. Rapier, who was a Florence native and who served in Congress; and
    2. Announced that he will present a free program this Sunday (August 3), 2:00 p.m., at the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library on the history of the Florence Wagon Works.
       
  4. Mike Pretes shared information on John Gaw Meem, the original leader of efforts to preserve architecture of the Western states, especially in Santa Fe, New Mexico.  Mike showed photographs of the house which Mr. Meem designed for himself in 1937 – the same house in which Mike stayed while on a trip to Santa Fe this summer.  Very interesting!
     
  5. Brett Wood shared information about the phenomenal work being done at the company in the Industrial Park at which he works:  International Floors of America.  That company designs (and executes) intricate floors for buildings all over the world – from Florence to Boston to Bahrain.