HERITAGE PRESERVATION, INC

Minutes of Meeting, 9-25-06

 

Those present:  Betty Champion, Hester Cope, Mary Peck, Jim Ingrum, Iva McClure, Carolyn Waterman, Bill McDonald, Lee Freeman, Billy Warren

 

  1. Bill McDonald made the motion that the minutes of the 8-28-06 meeting be approved.  Jim Ingrum seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

     
  2. Billy Warren presented this financial report:
    1. Checking Account balance                                            $4,867.33
    2. Forks of Cypress Account                                              3,223.38 + 11.40
    3. Riverview Historic District Account                                    115.43
    4. FDR Fund Account                                                        5,000.00

       
  3. Billy Warren reported that Keith Hager is working with a cast on the Cemetery Stroll.  He stated that the Stroll will take place on Saturday, November 4, from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.  (Rain date is the same time on Sunday, November 5.)  Billy Warren and Lee Freeman will work with Keith on the logistics for the Stroll.

     
  4. Bob Torbert (in absentia) reported that the restoration of the cemetery at Sweetwater will occur in December, 2006.

     
  5. Billy Warren distributed copies of a brief article entitled “How Florence Got Its Name” which he wrote for a new monthly newspaper for students in area schools in grades K-6.  The newspaper, Kidsville News, is being published by the Courier-Journal and enough free copies provided for every student in the targeted grades to receive one.  Billy also wrote an article on the Alabama Renaissance Faire at the request of the editor of the newspaper.

     
  6. Billy Warren distributed and briefly reviewed copies of a document entitled “Standards for Property Maintenance” which residents of Walnut Street Historic District have developed and adopted for their neighborhood.  He said that other neighborhoods, whether or not they are on the National Register, can develop such standards for their mutual benefit.

     
  7. Carolyn Waterman reported that a date has not yet been set for a meeting to discuss ways to ensure the preservation of the Shoals Theater building.  It will be scheduled at a later time.

     
  8. Billy Warren distributed and reviewed copies of a proposed letter which he developed in response to HGTV’s initiative to restore historic properties for low-income housing.  Bill McDonald made the motion that the letter be mailed.  Jim Ingrum seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

     

9.      Billy Warren distributed copies of a one-page fact sheet regarding the advantages of owning and/or living in historic properties.  He asked Board members to give copies to anyone who might profit from having the information.  He stated that everyone in town profits when historic properties are well maintained.  The national office for the Main Street program has found that, for a Main Street program to flourish over the long term, the commercial area must be bordered by well-maintained neighborhoods.

 

  1. Bill McDonald, Lee Freeman, Iva McClure and Billy Warren reported that a possibility exists for an archival center to be established in the First Southern Bank building after the City of Florence purchases it.  Judge Ed Tease, chairman of the Library Board, has talked with Mayor Irons about this possibility.  Since the Library Board is already a legal entity that governs a limited archival collection in the Local History Room, it seems a natural step for the archival center to be placed under its jurisdiction.  Jim Ingrum made the motion that Billy Warren write a letter to Judge Tease in support of the Library Board’s assuming jurisdiction over the archival center.  Lee Freeman seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

     
  2. Mary Peck suggested that HPI ask the City Council to adopt an ordinance for garbage containers to be kept out of public view except during pick-up times.  Everyone was in agreement with this suggestion.

     
  3. Carolyn Waterman announced that the documentary on Alabama’s Bed and Breakfasts done by APT several years ago will soon be reissued to focus on 12 B & B’s.  These 12 are being chosen because of their attraction as a tourist destination.  Limestone House has made the cut to 20; now the 20 will be reduced to the final 12.  Of course, everyone hopes that it will be chosen as one of the 12!

     
  4. Hester Cope made this report for Main Street:
    1. Several commercial properties in downtown Florence are being purchased by out-of-town buyers, some for businesses and some for resale at a higher price.
    2. Efforts are still underway to create a retail overlay for the 100, 200 and 300 blocks of North Court Street.
    3. Dr. Heaton, the local cardiologist, and his associates have purchased the Colonial Bank building.
    4. The former office building of the Florence Housing Authority (just north of the Main Street office on Pine Street) is now for sale since Shaler Roberts and his staff have moved to Magnolia Gardens I.

       
  5. Billy Warren distributed copies of the minutes of the 8-30-06 meeting of the Alabama Historical Commission.  The minutes reflect that the AHC offered the position of Director – which has been vacant since 2004 – to Col. John A. Neubauer (Ret.) of Montgomery.

     
  6. Bill McDonald reported these research results on the Malone House on East Hawthorne Street.  The property:
    1. Appears on Ferdinand Sannoner’s map as lots 362 and 363;
    2. Was owned in 1832 by Patrick Andrews who operated a grist mill in East Florence;
    3. Was sold to Elizabeth Jackson (Mrs. James Jackson);
    4. Was owned by Thomas Kirkman and his brother (nephews of James Jackson);
    5. Was owned by Thomas Jefferson Foster, brother of George Washington Foster (builder of Rogers Hall), who built the house in 1846;
    6. Originally faced Circular Road (now Nellie Avenue); and
    7. Now faces East Hawthorne Street (the front and back of the house simply swapped places).

       

Bill McDonald made the motion that HPI petition the Alabama Historical Commission to change the house’s name to the Thomas Jefferson Foster House.  Betty Champion seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

 

  1. Because of time constraints, the Board did not discuss ways to market the video, “Follow the River.”

     
  2. In the absence of Charlotte Dean, there was not a report on the status of Sweetwater.

 

HPI