HERITAGE PRESERVATION, INC.

Minutes of Meeting, 9-22-08

 

Those present:  Jerry Dowd, Bill Kraemer, Judy Tiffin, Kitty Cox, Mike Pretes, Brett Wood, Carolyn Waterman, Lee Freeman, Hester Cope, Billy Warren

  1. Since the meeting was short one Board member needed for a quorum, no official action could be taken in today’s gathering.

  2. In the absence of Bob Torbert, there was no report on the repairs in the Wilson Family Cemetery.

  3. Billy Warren circulated a color photograph of a fountain provided by Todd Nix, Head of the City Department of Community Services.  Billy stated that, according to Todd, the fountain in the photograph is 12’ tall and 7’ around at the base; it is carved from granite.  Further, Billy said that Todd will keep the HPI Board up to date on the issues surrounding the deteriorating fountain in Wilson Park.  Billy will ask Todd how the fountain in the photograph compares with the existing fountain in terms of height and composition.  He will also ask whether the City is addressing only the fountain or both the fountain and the water-filled surround.

  4. Regarding the monthly treasurer’s report, it was agreed that copies of the summary page should be made for each Board member, as has been done over the years.  However, instead of making multiple copies of the four bank statements and any attachments, Billy Warren will circulate the original copies of these documents for each Board member to examine.  This procedure will eliminate excessive paper use.

  5. Lee Freeman made this report on the upcoming reception/commemoration ceremony in honor of the late James T. Rapier, the African-American from Florence who, in 1873, was the second African-American from Alabama to be elected to Congress:
    1. The commemoration ceremony and reception will be held on Saturday, November 15, at 10:00 a.m.
    2. The ceremony is scheduled to take place at St. Paul’s AME Church and the reception at the Burrell-Slater School building.
    3. Dignitaries including, perhaps, Gov. Riley will be present for this important event.
    4. A new blad is being developed for the occasion.

  6. Lee Freeman reported that a meeting regarding a possible site for the proposed Florence-Lauderdale Archival Center will be held at First Baptist Church on Thursday, September 25, at 4:00 p.m.

Billy Warren stated that, since the municipal election is over, he has begun once again to communicate with Mayor Irons regarding the critical need for a Florence-Lauderdale Archival Center.  Billy reiterated his belief that we are very close to success in our efforts to secure a climate-controlled space for such a Center.

  1. Billy Warren displayed the six architectural drawings done in June, 1918, to direct the construction of an addition to the L & N Railroad Freight Depot in East Florence.  HPI recently purchased these from Mr. Ed Rock who lives in Jacksonville, Florida.

Hester Cope agreed to call Dr. Heaton, the current owner of the Freight Depot, to see if he would like to examine the drawings.

 

It was agreed that, after Dr. Heaton sees the drawings, HPI should donate them to the public library if Nancy Sanford, Library Administrator, will accept them.  Lee Freeman agreed to ask Ms. Sanford whether she will accept them as HPI’s gift.

  1. Billy Warren circulated enlarged copies of early full-color postcards of Walnut Street looking south, Walnut Street looking north, Wood Avenue near Wilson Park in downtown Florence and others.

  2. Billy Warren presented the draft copy (per the Board’s direction at its 8-25-08 meeting) of a resolution expressing the Board’s opposition to any effort to circumvent the city ordinance that prohibits houses from being subdivided into apartments.  Board members made suggestions for improving the draft copy.  Billy will make these corrections and present it for final approval by the Board on October 27.  At that time, too, the Board will decide to whom, and when, the resolution should be sent.

  3. After discussing the matter, Board members decided on these personages to be portrayed at the Cemetery Stroll in April, 2009:
    1. Ed Blair
    2. Charles M. Brandon
    3. M. W. Camper
    4. “Mountain” Tom Clark
    5. Camilla Madding Coffee
    6. Lizzie Hitchcock Cole
    7. Alexander Falk
    8. John Garibaldi
    9. Virginia Foster Irvine
    10. Joseph Milner
    11. Elizabeth Kirkman O’Neal
    12. “Uncle” Reuben Patterson
    13. Susan Rapier

  4. Billy Warren distributed copies of a packet from Ed Rock which lists items, in addition to the six architectural drawings of the East Florence Railroad freight station addition (see item #7 above), for sale by Mr. Ed Rock.