Warwick Historical Society Minutes June 20, 2012 Larry Carey called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Present: Bev and Dave Shepardson, Calvin and Freddie Fellows, Helen and Rod Whipple, Joe and Alana Mankowsky, Martha Morse, Ed Lemon, Martha Kitchen, Arline Lincoln, Larry Carey, Barbara Walker, Charlie Brown, Judy Johnson, Betsy Lochhead and Pat Johnson. The March 21 2012 minutes were amended as follows: under "New Business," no. 2, change "ice-maker" to "ice cream maker." A motion to accept the minutes as amended passed unanimously. Arline Lincoln's treasurer's report followed: Certificates:$10,150.91; Savings: $4,052.43; Checking: $1,802.23; Total: $16, 005.57. New Business: Larry again appealed to members for information on Warwick long-time families. He himself is following up with the Lincoln family. Arline Lincoln said she has an old glass milk bottle with "Lincolnshire Farm" written on it, which she intends to keep in her possession. The slate of officers for the next 2 years was nominated, and there are no changes from the present slate: President - Larry Carey; Vice President - Charlie Brown; Treasurer - Arline Lincoln; Secretary - Martha Morse; Curator - Ed Lemon; Auditor - Rodney Whipple; Trustees - Joe and Alana Mankowsky; Barbara Walker; Patty Ernest; and Clare Green. There was a discussion of the Massachusetts Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission's program. Ed Lemon gave his curator's report, and it is attached. Ed announced that the speaker for the September meeting will be Bill Schweikert, retired NMH teacher, who will present on the archeology, geology, and history of the Pioneer Valley. Dave Shepardson will set a time for the ice-cream making at Old Home Day in consultation with Larry Carey. A list of times on Sundays (and at least one Saturday) was passed around for people to sign up for museum duty. Old Business: Barbara Walker mentioned several landscaping issues that need to be addressed: specifically the stone and piping sticking out on the west side of the WHS building and the need for weed-whacking. Tracey Kirley took care of mulching the front garden and the flower boxes. Barbara also offered to buy new shades for WHS museum windows, noting that the windows are all slightly different sizes. She will be reimbursed by WHS treasurer. The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m. Refreshments followed. The next meeting will be September 19, 2012. Respectfully submitted, Martha Morse, secretary Curator's Report - June 20, 2012 Inventory We started in early June and are slowly getting underway. We plan to continue cataloguing the genealogical files, while Deb Paulson organizes our garment collection. We'll then work on itemizing some of the many photos in our collection. It should be an exciting season. We can always use more cataloguers, so if you have some time Monday afternoons from 1 to 3, and own a wifi enabled laptop computer, please join us. We will train you. It's also a great socializing opportunity! Museum and Web Page We had three sets of school visits this May and June that involved me or Larry or both of us. The WCS history club, the 5th and 6th graders and the 3rd and 4th graders all made visits. The history club and the 5th & 6th graders were interested in the Civil War and the 3rd and 4th graders focussed on the Revolutionary War. The kids were bright, interested, and asked good questions. We hope to exhibit more garments from our collection this season. Does anyone have a dress form that we might use? The emphasis will be on the Civil War period again, so any family mementos from that period would also be welcome. The web page continues to generate much online interest. I have received a number of queries from all over this country and from Europe, in particular Belarus. A native of Minsk who is a descendent of the Dubovik/Loretan family started a correspondence with us. Museum Hours We are open from 2 - 4 p.m. on Sundays during the months of July and August, including Saturday during Old Home Days. Last year we also opened during the Arts Council Show in October. I'd like to continue that, and possibly include the Sunday of Labor Day weekend as well. There are 14 2-hour slots, so some of you may have to do double duty. As usual, I'll show up most days. [sign-up sheet passed around] Historical Society Booklet In connection with Warwick's 250th anniversary, we propose publishing a sixty or so page booklet based on the famous book "A History of the World in 100 Objects". Ours might be called "A History of Warwick and Surroundings in 15 - 25 Objects". Deb Paulson, Freddie Fellows, Bev Shepardson, Martha Kitchen and I, for starters, will be writing short essays about selected objects from our museum. After we're done, Martha will edit the articles. I'll pass around a list of suggested objects. If you have an interest in any of them, please sign up. I'll provide photographic illustrations and Deb will come up with a cover picture. We hope to sell copies and make a small amount of money for the Society. [sign-up sheet passed around] Letterhead I have begun the design of a letterhead for the Society, since I get a lot of correspondence that needs to be answered. I'll pass along the design for your approval or suggestions. [letterhead passed around] Other Once again may I remind you that we need helpers to get oral and video interviews with long-term residents. We have digital recorders that are very easy to use. Some of you, I am sure, have interesting tales to tell and I'll be happy to record them. Just let me know! Respectfully submitted, Ed Lemon, Curator