HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-09-13 Historical Preservation Committee
Minutes
September 13, 2004
Call to Order
Chair, Billy Byers called the meeting to order at 10:05 a.m.
Members Present
Iva Nail, Robert Nail, Billy Byers, Chris Jones, Dan Clark, Craig Ward, Thomas Stover, Betty
Fuller, Weldon Cannon, Nell Hicks, Helen Payton, Ralph Williamson, Michele Burger
Staff Present
Suzanne Hendrickson, Recreation Manager
Ofa"Mary"Faiva-Siale, Recreation Specialist
Visitors
Councilman, Leon Hogg
Treasures Report
Treasurer Robert Nail reported that he received a check in the mail from Willie Mae McCormick
for$5,000. Mrs. McCormick included a note with the check stating that her $5,000 donation is
to go towards the relocation of the barn she is donating to the City of Euless from its present
location to Heritage Park. Mr. Nail also informed the committee that he deposited the check in
the Historical Preservation Committee's account and the committee's new balance is $11,265.88.
Approval of Minutes
Helen Payton motioned for the minutes to be approved. Robert Nail seconded the motion,
motion approved.
Old Business
1. Michele Burger reported that both the American flag and the Texas flag at Heritage Park
need to be replaced. Billy Byers will have the flags replaced.
2. Betty Fuller reported that one of the windows at the Himes Log House was left open
when she served as docent. The window has been closed and will be monitored to ensure
it isn't left open again.
3. Chris Jones reported that no one visited the Museum in July.
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4. Michele Burger reported that six people visited the Museum during regular tour hours in
September. She also reported that 62 children from the City of Euless' summer camp
program toured Heritage Park on August 2, 2004.
New Business
1. A copy of a thank you note from Willie Mae McCormick was included with her$5,000
donation. In it, Mrs. McCormick expressed her appreciation to everyone for their
kindness during her recent illness. Committee members read her note and expressed their
appreciation for everything Mrs. McCormick has done for the City of Euless.
2. Chairman, Billy Byers requested of committee members their thoughts regarding the
continual membership of various committee members who seldom, if ever, attend
Historical meetings. Key members of the committee were agreeable to a review of
Historical Preservation Committee membership. Councilman, Leon Hogg mentioned that
there is not a set number to Historical Preservation Committee membership so that the
committee is free to make any suggestions regarding membership. Committee members
offered several suggestions of people that would make good committee members. Billy
Byers will contact those that were mentioned to see if they would be interested in serving
on the committee. Mr. Byers will let Mr. Hogg and/or Susan Crim know the results.
3. Mr. Byers received a letter from the City of Euless regarding committee nominations for
"Volunteer of the Year". Committee members were informed that nominations are due
by September 17, 2004.
4. Suzanne Hendrickson discussed and/or reported on the following:
a. A draft of the verbiage that will go on the plaques for the Fig and Magnolia trees
was given to the committee for approval. Various suggestions were offered.
Suzanne will add the necessary changes. Betty Fuller motioned for the draft to be
approved with the changes. Weldon Cannon seconded the motion. Motion
approved.
b. Information on government grants for historical institutions was given to the
committee in case there was an interest in applying for available grants.
c. Offered information to the committee on the publication of a historical book
called the New Frontier. If the committee is interested in writing a piece to go in
the book, funding would be available to do so. After a significant discussion
about this endeavor, Thomas Stover made a motion for the Committee not to
participate. Michele Burger seconded the motion. Motion approved.
d. Reported that a representative from the Texas Historical Commission in Austin
met with her and Ofa about cataloguing and preservation ideas for the Museum.
Software has been purchased specifically designed to help with cataloguing of
Historical data. It will take the next few months to learn about the program and
get the software ready to go.
e. It was mentioned that pictures of all artifacts in the Museum has to be retaken.
f. Suzanne informed the committee that Euless' Museum joined the Texas
Association of Museums and the American Association for State and Local
History.
g. Christmas at Heritage Park will be held on December 11, 2004, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
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h. The second set of signs for Museum hours has been delivered to the Museum.
i. Kathy Clark with the quilters group has been informed that their donation of two
quilts has been accepted by the committee.
j. Postcards of the old Western Hills Inn have been located and copies have been
made.
5. Betty Fuller inquired about the amount of historical markers located in Euless. Suzanne
Hendrickson mentioned that there are currently 5 historical markers in Euless. Markers
are located on the following locations:
a. Bear Creek Cemetery
b. Calloway Cemetery(Ft. Worth but has a Euless address)
c. Elisha Adam's statue at City Hall
d. St. John's Missionary Church (Ft. Worth but has a Euless address)
e. Mosier Valley School (Ft. Worth but has a Euless address)
Betty Fuller and Weldon Cannon mentioned that there's a historical marker on Dobkins
Cemetery, however, it is located on DFW Airport property.
6. Betty Fuller mentioned that the Texas Historical Commission published a brochure with
information on historical sites in the area and Euless is not in it. Suzanne Hendrickson
will contact the Fielder House Museum regarding information on how to be included in
the brochure.
7. Weldon Cannon volunteered to help Betty Fuller pick up and deliver an old school desk
from her house to the Museum. The desk is from Mrs. Fuller's teaching days.
8. Helen Payton and Betty Fuller mentioned that a wood burning stove donated by John
Fitch has been delivered to the Museum and is stored upstairs.
9. Betty Fuller discussed the possibility of submitting an application for a historical marker
for the house on 511 South Main St. It was owned by the Fuller family from 1935 to
1999. The house is the oldest existing house in Euless that has not been moved from its
original location. Committee members were very agreeable to this initiative. Chairman,
Billy Byers made a motion that the committee accept Mrs. Fuller's petition to submit an
application for a historical marker for the oldest existing house in Euless that hasn't been
destroyed, moved or significantly remodeled. In addition, the house was built by Horace
Fuller in 1935. Weldon Cannon seconded the motion, motion approved. Suzanne
Hendrickson will have a letter of support from the City of Euless drafted for this
endeavor. Weldon Cannon mentioned that the Historical Preservation Committee could
also provide a letter of support.
10. Weldon Cannon reported the following:
a. The State Historical Commission has approved the First United Methodist
Church's application for a historical marker. The application process still has
several more phases to go through prior to the final installation of the marker. He
also reported that it cost $1,200 to make the actual marker. Donations would be
accepted to help reimburse the church for the cost of making the marker. Names
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of donors would be included in the dedication ceremony program. The church
will be 128 year's old this year.
b. Reported that the First Assembly of God church on South Main Street has
changed. The new church is called Saint Abanoub Church.
c. Mr. Cannon also mentioned that he heard beautiful signing from the Free Church
of Tonga while he was out one Sunday. He expressed his interest in obtaining a
translation of the newly erected marker on the church site.
11. Mentioned that the Adopt-A-Park program will be discussed at Park Board tonight.
Michele Burger will be attending as she and Mr. Burger adopted a park.
12. Docent for October 9, 2004 will be Robert Nail. Billy Byers and Ralph Williamson will
be docents on November 13.
13. Mr. Byers expressed his appreciation to Michele Burger for acting as docent in his place
in September.
14. Ralph Williamson mentioned that his grandson, Darold Williamson, won a gold medal in
the 4 X 100 meter relay in Greece during the Olympic Games. Mr. Williamson's
grandson attends Baylor University.
Adjournment
Chair, Billy Byers adjourned the meeting at 11:42 a.m.
Respectfully submitted by
Ofa"Mary" Faiva-Siale
Recreation Specialist, Projects & Events
Euless Parks & Community Services
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