HERITAGE PRESERVATION, INC.

Minutes of Meeting, 8-28-06

 

Those present:  Jerry Dowd, Judy Tiffin, Iva McClure, Betty Champion, Susan Hargett, Mary Peck, Billy Warren, Vince Brewton, Bob Torbert, Bill McDonald, Charlotte Dean, Hester Cope

 

  1. Bill McDonald made the motion that the minutes of the 7-24-06 meeting be approved.  Charlotte Dean seconded the emotion, and it passed unanimously.

     
  2. Billy Warren presented this treasurer’s report:
    1. Checking Account balance                                $4,986.73
    2. Forks of Cypress Account balance                     3,223.38  +  11.40
    3. Riverview Historic District balance                         118.43
    4. FDR Statue Account balance                              5,000.00

       

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

 

  1. The group complimented the article on the Sweetwater plantation that appeared in a recent issue of the Times Daily.  Charlotte Dean stated that she and her staff are aggressively marketing Sweetwater.  She also stated that a reporter from TV Channel 31 in Huntsville interviewed her a few days ago and that the interview will be aired on that channel tonight.

     
  2. Billy Warren reported that Keith Hager is now working on casting actors for the Cemetery Stroll.  He is also at work on assembling a wardrobe for the actors.

     
  3. Bill McDonald, Iva McClure, Betty Champion and Billy Warren made this status report on the proposed Wall of Honor:
    1. The policies and procedures document has now been completed.
    2. The ad hoc committee will also serve as the selection committee for the inaugural group of nominees.
    3. The Wall of Honor will be located on the River Walk, for which construction will soon begin.

       
  4. Bob Torbert made this impressive report:
    1. Restoration work at the Florence City Cemetery is complete, with more than 60 gravestones now standing upright (they were tumbled over), all fences secured, and all stone walls back in place.
    2. Paperwork has been completed to nominate the cemetery to the National Register of Historic Places.
    3. At least 66 boxes of Bill McDonald’s archival materials have been delivered to UNA’s Archival Center in Collier Library.
    4. All known cemeteries in Lauderdale County are now recorded electronically.
    5. The names from 75,000 gravestones in Lauderdale County cemeteries are now recorded electronically.
    6. There will soon be a UNA Archival Center website with an electronic index for all of Bill McDonald’s materials.  All pictures from his collection will also be on the website.

       

Bob received a resounding applause from Board members for his excellent work.

 

  1. Charlotte Dean reported that the deteriorated condition of the Tuscaloosa Street house has prevented her prospective buyer from purchasing it for conversion into office space.  She expressed hope that it will be sold to someone who can renovate it for family living.

     
  2. Billy Warren reported that he conducted a tour of Walnut Street Historic District on 8-3-06, via bus, for a group of residents from Glenwood Nursing Home.

     
  3. Billy Warren distributed a copy of a thank-you letter from Odette Rasch Howard, a native of St. Florian who now lives in Massachusetts, for mailing her a copy of the video, “Follow the River:  A History of Florence and Lauderdale County.”  In the letter, Ms. Howard indicated that she is writing a book on the Civil War years that includes the Rasch brothers, one of whom (Florian) was part of the migration to Lauderdale County in the late 1800’s to the community that would be named St. Florian.

     
  4. Billy Warren distributed copies of an article that talks about the status of the Alabama Historical Commission (AHC) in light of the investigation by the Sunset Committee of the State Legislature.  (The article is from the June-July, 2006, issue of Preservation Report.)  It states that the Sunset Committee must take action prior to October 1, 2007 to continue the AHC or it will cease to exist.  Billy reported that he had responded to a survey by the Sunset Committee and indicated HPI’s desire that the AHC be spared.

     
  5. Billy Warren distributed copies of a letter from Ms. Anne Feathers of Greenville, Alabama, who is chairwoman for the spring, 2008, meeting of the Alabama Historical Association, a statewide preservation organization that has been in existence since 1947.  The 2008 meeting will take place in Florence on April 17-19 (tentative dates).  Carolyn Waterman agreed to be in charge of the Thursday evening reception, while Billy Warren and Ninon Parker agreed to arrange historic tours the next day.  Billy also stated that there will be ways that HPI can be involved in this statewide gathering.

     
  6. Charlotte Dean reported on an ongoing correspondence between her and Jim Leonardo who owns much of the Patton family (Sweetwater Plantation) letters during the period, 1850-1874.  Mr. Leonardo is very much concerned about the fate of Sweetwater, so Charlotte will continue the correspondence with him.

     
  7. Jerry Dowd stated that he showed the “Follow the River” video to a church group and, as a result, sold several copies of the DVD.  At its September meeting, the Board will discuss small-group showings as a possible way to market the video.

     
  8. Carolyn Waterman (in absentia) stated that there should be a public meeting in September to brainstorm ways to save the Shoals Theater building.  The Board agreed that such a meeting should take place on a Sunday afternoon at the Shoals Theater.  Hester Cope will organize the meeting.  She asked that all HPI Board members make plans to attend as a show of support.

     
  9. Hester Cope made this report for Main Street:
    1. Florence Lumber Company and Brinley Brothers Downtown Bistro are closing.
    2. Legends Steakhouse will have a “soft” opening in early September (former Court Street Café building).
    3. Two new art galleries are slated to open:  former Shootin’ Irons Emporium building and former Stephano’s building, both on North Court Street.
    4. A gifts/home accessories shop will open in the former HyTech building on East Tennessee Street.
    5. Bids have been received for the construction of the $10M Hampton Inn on South Court Street.

       
  10. Billy Warren distributed copies of a letter composed by Mary Peck to HGTV’s program series, “Restore America.”  It addresses the program’s goal of promoting the refurbishing of older houses for certain purposes.  Following a discussion of the matter, the Board agreed that Billy Warren should work on the letter and bring a draft of it to the September meeting.

HPI