HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-01-10 Historical Preservation Committee
Minutes
January 10,2004'
Call to Order
Chair,Billy Byers called the meeting to order at 10:10 a.m.
Members Present
Michele Burger, Thomas Stover, Willie Mae McCormick, Robert Nail, Iva Nail, Dan Clark,
Troy Fuller, Betty Fuller, Evelyn Himes, Helen Payton, Ralph Williamson, Bill Byers, Chris
Jones
Visitor
Council Member Leon Hogg
Staff Present
Suzanne Hendrickson, Recreation Manager
Ofa"Mary" Faiva-Siale, Recreation Specialist
Treasures Report
Treasurer, Robert Nail, reported that Mrs. Willie Mae McCormick donated $250.00 to the
Historical Preservation Committee. After Mr. Byers' reimbursement for the cost of building the
well and Mrs. McCormick's donation,the new balance is now$10,934.11.
Approval of Minutes
Two corrections were made to December's minutes: First, Chris Jones was present at
December's meeting and second, Jean Whitener was not present at the meeting. Betty Fuller
motioned for the minutes to be approved with the corrections. Chris Jones seconded the motion.
Motion approved.
Old Business
1. Billy Byers mentioned that Christmas decorations needed to be removed and put away.
Various committee members volunteered to help put these away after the meeting.
2. Mr. Byers reported that the back bedroom door has been replaced and it looks great. He
also mentioned that the wood in front of the door was rotted so Facilities fixed it as well.
3. Betty Fuller reported that one of the Log House shutters was left open again. She
mentioned that someone from the City came out and closed it. It was briefly discussed
that vandals may be getting in under the fence along the southwest side of the fence
surrounding the Museum.
New Business
1. Iva Nail complimented Mr. Byers on how great the well looks. Mrs. Nail reported that
other citizens have commented on the well also. Committee members agreed that this
was a great addition to the Museum.
2. Mrs. McCormick was asked if they had well when she was growing up. She said yes,
that the well they had on the property in 1948 is still there but that it's now dry and has
been covered up.
3. Chris Jones reported that seven people toured the Museum in January.
4. Mr. Byers mentioned that Connie Britelli is the newest member of the Historical
Preservation Committee. It was mentioned that Mrs. Britelli works during the day and
may not be able to attend the regular meetings. Iva Nail reported that Mrs. Britelli
expressed a willingness to act as docent on some Saturdays since she may not be able to
attend the regular meetings. Billy Byers will check with Mrs. Britelli to see if she would
like to work as docent with Troy Fuller and Betty Fuller in February.
5. Council Member Leon Hogg will verify if it's possible to include the Historical
Committee's meeting date and time when advertising for new members. Committee
members felt that this would help eliminate problems with conflicting schedules when
new members sign up to serve on the committee.
6. Dan Clark asked if the Historical Preservation Committee's information on the City web
site could be updated as some of the information listed is incorrect. Suzanne
Hendrickson will get with Johnny Rodriguez about updating this information.
7. Robert Nail reported that a friend of his has donated a"sucker rod" for the windmill. The
Museum will no longer need to purchase one as was previously discussed.
8. Billy Byers will deliver and place the cream separator on the back porch of the Fuller
House. Dan Clark will take photos of the cream separator at a later date.
9. Various committee members again complimented the Heritage Park Christmas event.
Committee members agreed that the "butter making" idea was a great one and Mr. Byers
complimented Suzanne Hendrickson on coming up with the idea.
10. Michele Burger thanked Jimmy and Helen Payton on behalf of the Committee for their
generosity in opening up their home so that the Committee's Christmas party could be
held there.
11. Chris Jones donated a City of Hurst map dated February 1, 1960 to the Museum. The
map included sections of Euless. Suzanne Hendrickson will have the map laminated and
returned to the Museum for its collection.
12. Dan Clark reported and thanked Mrs. McCormick for finishing her narrative on the
history of the barn. Mrs. McCormick also turned in a list and brief history of all the trees
on her property to Suzanne Hendrickson.
13. Mr. Byers found a bank book that belonged to his grandfather. The first date in the bank
book is 1906.
14. Iva Nail asked whether the Acquisition Committee is still reviewing items prior to
acceptance to the Museum's collection. Mrs. Nail has several items she would like to
donate. Dan Clark mentioned that the Committee hasn't been able to meet these last
several months. Mr. Byers mentioned that committee members with items to donate can
bring it to the monthly meeting for the Committee's viewing.
15. Thomas Stover mentioned that it's a good idea to have an Acquisition Committee to
review donated items. He mentioned an incident with Texas Tech University where
someone accepted a donation of a train on behalf of the University. In the end, the
University had to build a railroad track to the site to get the train there. It ended up
costing a lot more to get the train relocated to the site than what the train was worth.
16. Mr. Byers briefly discussed the property where the Estelle Masonic Lodge is located.
Mr. Byers described acquisition of the land as well as cost and eventual selling of parts of
the land. He mentioned that there is a cemetery on the location. Various other interesting
aspects of the property were mentioned.
17. Betty Fuller mentioned that the Alexandra Dobkin's Cemetery is "run down"and it looks
unkept with bushes and weeds growing everywhere.
18. Suzanne Hendrickson reported on the following:
A. Reported that Harrison Lane Elementary School would like to schedule a tour for 60
students on February 10 at 10:30 a.m. Since February is generally a cold month,
Suzanne Hendrickson will make arrangements with the school on what to do with
half of the kids since only half may take the tour at one time. Mr. Byers offered to
install his portable heater in the Log House if it gets too cold.
B. Reported that the Midway Recreation Center will have Open House on January 15,
from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. The Christmas Tree Recycling program will also be on the
same day from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Free Mulch will be given out at the event.
C. Reported that Ray McDonald will have the handrails on the back entrance to the
Fuller House installed within the next couple of weeks.
D. Inquired whether the Committee could provide a narrative of historical information
regarding various subjects including facts about Museum artifacts, Euless history,
families, events, etc. that could be used by City staff and/or new committee members.
Suzanne explained that this could be kept not only as a part of the Museum's records
but that it would be helpful for those who do not have the historical knowledge that
original committee members have. She further explained that this would be a
uniform presentation that could be used by those who are not familiar with historical
facts about the City of Euless and the Museum.
a. Thomas Stover and various other committee members were agreeable to this
suggestion. Some members mentioned that one of the reason they hesitated in the
past to act as docent is because of their lack of knowledge about Euless and
Museum history.
b. Dan Clark also agreed that this was a good idea. He asked for ideas on how the
committee should go about completing this project.
c. Betty Fuller suggested that narratives be done by everyone who is tied to Euless
and the Museum historically. She felt that this would allow for varied viewpoints
and first hand accountings on different subjects and items. Mrs. Fuller felt that
interesting pieces of history may be lost by not obtaining everything possible on
various subjects.
d. Most committee members agreed that it would be a great idea to do this and that
the project would be completed with everyone working together on it.
19. Betty Fuller requested permission to polish the newest stove acquired for the Museum.
Mr. Byers agreed that it would be okay to do this. Mrs. Fuller will purchase "stove
polish" and polish the stove.
20. Ralph Williamson reported that a new program was discussed at his last American
Legion meeting. The program will build 25 homes for qualifying Vietnam and Desert
Storm Veterans. Mr. Williamson mentioned that it is a legitimate program and if anyone
knows of someone who could use this help they should contact Van Reicher with the
Tarrant County Service Office.
Adjournment
Chair, Billy Byers adjourned the meeting at 11:30 a.m.
Respectfully submitted by
Ofa"Mary" Faiva-Siale
Recreation Specialist,Projects&Events
Euless Parks& Community Services