Warwick Historical Society Minutes for June 25, 2014 Present: Dave Shepardson, Ann Miner, Susan Wright, Freddie Fellows, Calvin Fellows, Charlie Brown, Cheryl Fontaine, Mike Carey, Bev Shepardson. Mel Kitchen, Martha Morse, Barbara Walker The meeting was called to order at 8:29 p.m. following a well-attended slide presentation by Dick and Pat Shepardson of their 8-week journey through Europe. The minutes of the March 19, 2014 meeting were accepted as read. The treasurer's report was given by Larry in Arline's absence. Checking balance: 632.64 Savings balance: 5,232.56 CD balance: 10,284.03 TOTAL WORTH: 16,147.23 RECEIPTS $30.00 EXPENSES 3 months National Grid 30.98 supplies (outside light) 69.10 Joe Paul construction 1,010.46 TOTAL EXPENSES 1,110.54 NOMINATION OF OFFICERS FOR 2014-2016 Larry asked for nominations for WHS officers for officers for another two-year term. Since all have agreed to continue serving in their present positions, a motion was made,seconded, and unanimously approved to present the following slate for a vote at the September meeting: President: Larry Carry Vice-President: Charlie Brown, Treasurer: Arline Lincoln Secretary: Martha Morse Curator: Ed Lemon Auditor: Rodney Whipple Trustees: Joe and Alana Mankowsky, Clare Green, Patti Ernest, and Barbara Walker ITEMS DISCUSSED 1. Construction has been done on the cellar way and on the railing upstairs. 2. Freddie and Calvin, as well Larry and Mike Carey, have been working on cleaning up the Museum before it reopens on July 6. 3. Pictures of the Steven's family are back up. 4. There are other empty frames and pictures which perhaps could be sold on-line. It is not a good idea to store them in the cellar due to moisture, and storage space in the museum is very limited. 5. Membership Card: Mel Kitchen brought with her a box of the newly designed membership cards, ready to be signed by the secretary for members to pay dues at the September meeting. 6. Mel passed around a sign-up sheet for folks to volunteer to open the museum on Sundays from 2:00-4:00 p.m. during July and August, and on Saturday August 23 (Old Home Day). 7. Barbara Walker would like to purchase a truck load of red cedar bark mulch for the front of the WHS museum. The mulch will cost about $44 at Noel's and her son will do the hauling. The consensus was to authorize this expense. 8. Barbara said that some parents are concerned that the cement table and chairs on the museum lawn may pose a danger to children. They are on an uneven surface (the grass) and could tip over. After some discussion, it was suggested that the table and chairs be put on a stable, concrete base to avoid an accident and potential liability to the WHS. 9. WHS was given two ax heads with the initials EH, believed to be made in Warwick. Charlie Brown noted that there had been an ax company on Northfield Road,. 10. Rosemary (Lincoln) Clark called Larry to say she has WWI uniforms and assorted memorabilia from her father, Charlie Lincoln, that the Historical Society might like to have. Charlie Brown offered to write out information on the Lincoln farm. 11. Martha reported that Phil Simon is once again hoping that someone from the WHS will set up a table to sell items at the "Route78" festival in September. There was no volunteer. In closing, two get-well cards were passed around for folks to send their best wishes to our curator Ed Lemon for a speedy recovery. We all hope he will be back with us very soon! The Curator's Report, prepared by Ed before his surgery, was presented by Mel, and it is attached. Motion made to adjourn at 9:04 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for September 17, 2014. Respectfully submitted, Martha Morse, secretary Curator's Report - June 25, 2014 While I recover from surgery I have asked Martha Kitchen to fill in for me. Inventory Project The inventory project is temporarily on hold. I would ask the members of the Archival Committee to do the usual cleanup before we open on July 6. Museum and Web Page We had a lot of interaction with the Community School during our off season. Preparations for their History Fair with Laurel Powell and Susan Wright, plus a visit from the 3rd and 4th graders were part of that. There were visitors and messages or phone calls from people all over the US asking about items in our collection, thanks to the online web page. Museum Sign-up As you know, we are open from 2 - 4 p.m. on Sundays during the months of July and August, including Saturday during Old Home Days. Please volunteer for at least one session. I'm not sure when I'll be available, but as soon as I can, I'll be there to help out. [sign-up sheet passed around] Historical Society Booklet Our little booklet "A History of Warwick in 15 Objects" was a great success. Almost all of the 100 copies have been sold. I am hoping to get started on our next publication soon. It will be similar to the first one, only with pictures of the historic houses of Warwick. I'll have more information at the September meeting. In the meantime, members who live in historical houses should start thinking about their history. Membership Card I have designed a new membership card for the Society to replace the old ones. Other Once again may I remind you that we need helpers to get oral and video interviews with long-term residents. With the recent sad loss of Pat Johnson, another source of historical information has left us forever. Luckily I have both video and audio recordings of her reminiscences of the town. We need to continue to record our long-term residents before it's too late! The Community School history project involved recording some of our "local heroes". I plan to add these recordings to our collection. I hope to be back to my job as curator very soon! Respectfully submitted, Ed Lemon, Curator