HERITAGE PRESERVATION, INC.

Minutes of Meeting, 9-26-05

 

Those present:  Betty Champion, Iva McClure, Jerry Dowd, Carolyn Waterman, Mary Peck, Hester Cope, Charlotte Dean, Martin Dean, Bill McDonald, Lee Freeman, Vince Brewton, Billy Warren

 

  1. Bill McDonald made the motion that the minutes of the 8-22-05 meeting be approved.  Charlotte Dean seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

     
  2. Billy Warren presented this treasurer’s report:
    1. Checking Account balance                                $5,685.87
    2. Forks of Cypress Account balance                     3,223.38 + 11.40
    3. Riverview Historic District balance                         134.00

 

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

 

  1. Martin Dean reported that he, with Lee Freeman’s editing assistance, can re-format the CD’s that feature Bill McDonald interviewing the late Rev. Hiram Douglass so that they are marketable to the public.  He can create six CD’s (or edit them down to two if we prefer) with labels and jewel cases at these rates:  $10 for six CD’s or $8 for two.  He will produce them in lots of 50.  The Board agreed to take the matter under advisement and to make a decision at its October meeting.

     
  2. After discussing the topic, Betty Champion made the motion that the Cemetery Stroll be scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, November 18 and 19.  Carolyn Waterman seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

     
  3. Regarding the possibility of UNA’s purchase of the Shoals Theater, Billy Warren distributed copies of the following letters:
    1. HPI’s letter to Dr. Roosevelt Newson
    2. HPI’s letter to Dr. Dan Howard
    3. Dr. Dan Howard’s letter of response to HPI

 

Hester Cope stated that it might be possible to obtain a grant to assist UNA with the purchase through the America’s Treasures program.  She will make contact with Representative Bud Cramer’s local office regarding the grant program and will involve Dr. William Cale (UNA’s president) in the process.  She will take these actions under the aegis of Florence Main Street.

 

  1. Billy Warren reported that, as a result of his letter to Mr. Brewer, the local Postmaster, Mr. Brewer sent one of his staff members to Billy’s office.  The two of them highlighted streets that are either historic districts already or are eligible for historic district designation.  Residents on these will not have to install streetside mailboxes.

     
  2. Billy Warren circulated a draft copy of an 88-page book on the history of Walnut Street Historic District compiled by Jimmy Hill, Tom Ott and Billy Warren.  He stated that Florence Main Street is financing the printing of 300 copies of the book as one of its fundraisers and that it should be available for purchase by December 1.  The price will be $20.00 per copy.

     
  3. Hester Cope:
    1. Reported that Robert Bunch, a local attorney, is restoring the building next door to Brinly Brothers Bistro on East Tennessee Street to house his law office downstairs and condominiums on the second floor;
    2. Stated that Marcus Thompson is slated to begin construction in the spring of 2006 on the three proposed buildings across the street from the Post Office on Seminary Street (shops on the ground floor, condominiums on the upper floor); and
    3. Reported that the exterior of the new Hampton Inn that is to be built on Court Street will be designed to blend with existing architecture in downtown Florence.

       
  4. Lee Freeman:
    1. Reported that Donald Trump’s visit to Florence raised $430,000 to assist the public library in achieving Blue Ribbon Library status;
    2. Stated that Pettus Museum in Killen is closing; and
    3. Circulated a copy of The Wagon Tongue, a history of the Florence Wagon Factory which he wrote.

       
  5. Bill McDonald made the motion that Heritage Preservation, Inc. (HPI) accept the gift of the Oak Street property from Irby Construction Company.  The motion further stated that the party to whom HPI will deed the property must complete the restoration of it within one year of the date that the deed is transmitted.  Vince Brewton seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

     
  6. Carolyn Waterman made the motion that B. J. Cale (Mrs. William Cale, Jr.) be invited by letter from Billy Warren to fill the unexpired term of the late Lindsey Stricklin on the HPI Board of Directors.  Charlotte Dean seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

     
  7. Billy Warren announced that the book, 500 Small Houses of the 1920’s, has been given to the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library by HPI in memory of Joyce Ingrum, the late wife of Board member Jim Ingrum.

     
  8. Billy Warren stated that preparations for the Alabama Renaissance Faire (October 22-23) and related events are well underway.  He distributed copies of the 2005 poster and the new brochure advertising the Faire.

     
  9. Vince Brewton reported that the Silver Pen Award at the University of North Alabama is still being given.  He suggested that the annual cash award of $100 approved by the HPI Board at its 8-22-05 meeting be given instead to the Lindsey Stricklin Scholarship fund.

     
  10. It was suggested that a second public showing of the award-winning video, “Follow the River: A History of Florence and Lauderdale County,” be scheduled at the Shoals Theater as a promotion for the hoped-for restoration of the theater.
     

HPI