DRAFT MINUTES OF
PLYMOUTH HISTORICAL SOCIETY
May 5, 2013
Call to order: 4:05 pm at the school building
Present: Melissa Lynds, Michael Clarke, Betsy Tonkin, Joy Donnelly, Dee Beckman, Annie Clarke
Secretary's report: Minutes of March 24, 2013 were approved.
Treasurer's Report: accepted as presented
Savings account: $2566.03 as of 5/3/13
Checking account: $1800.53 as of 25/3/13
Credits: 1 set of Gold Mining postcards- $10
Donations- $38 from Gold Mining lecture
Debits: Vermont Historical Society Membership- $50
Business Savings Account Interest: $0.10
Memberships: 9 new units
3 single and 3 family memberships from the Gold Mining Lecture
3 memberships at the $25 level
Old Business:
1. Historic Sites map (Melissa Lynds, Barb Lurie and Robert Fishman)
Robert reported (via Mike) that no further progress has been made on the Historic Sites map. Mike will follow up with Robert. It's a work in progress but needs to be completed.
2. 2013 Programming
Betsy referenced an email from Paul Carnahan, librarian from the Vt. Historical Society indicating the digitizing of plate glass negatives continues. He attached many pictures that have been recently scanned and digitized. It is hoped that a slide show of all the Plymouth pictures will be possible towards the end of the summer (August/September).
With the Strawberry Festival in June and July 4th activities at Coolidge, the grand re-opening of the Historical Society would probably not happen until sometime between mid-June and the end of July. It was agreed that the exhibits should be mostly complete before the public is invited to visit.
Melissa mentioned that Farm and Wilderness is using the school building for beginning and end of year programs. It is hoped that by the end of the summer, the exhibits will be ready for F&W attendees to also visit new Historical Society site.
3. Status of Plymouth Album reprint
The cost of type setting for a reprint in editable format will be $1000 plus a cost per book. It was decided to focus on an addendum for the few books that remain unsold. Once corrections are collected, a decision will be made as to whether to print the addendum. Betsy will contact Tom Brown to evaluate the text and pictures for any corrections and Dee will check with Jim Meyer. Betsy will email Barb Lurie about requesting the same perusal from her Mom
4. Signage for Historical Society at the school
Melissa presented a picture of the sign (PLYMOUTH HISTORICAL SOCIETY), 10 ft. long by 16 inches high that will hang below the Plymouth School sign on the front of the school. It is already in progress. The cost of $289 will be incurred by the town.
New Business
1. Collections Committee update
The Collections Committee has been packing and boxing artifacts for the past two weeks. Contents are ready to be moved to the school. Large, heavy items that require a truck will be moved first, followed by smaller items and most of the boxes. Melissa will ask if Mike is willing and available accomplish the move using his truck and trailer. Bob Lambert and Andy may also be asked to help. Tuesday, May 7th is the first choice, with back up dates of the 13th and 17th. Joy and Betsy will finalize the moving details at the building and the school on Monday morning. Cataloguing with MUSARCH will begin once items are in place.
2. Designated website for PVHS
Betsy reported that she contacted Comcast about the free, three page website. Instructions for how to access the business webpage were given. It is not difficult. However, designing the web page and uploading pictures may be better off in the hands of a professional web designer. No response from Jen Flaster or Terry Bascom concerning this project. Mike will contact Peter Phelps.
3. Strawberry Festival
Dee and Betsy volunteered to man a table at the Festival on June 26th. Sue Poirier is the contact person.
Other Business
1. Window coverings
Betsy will price light blocking pull down shades from Home Depot. The hardware is already in place and other minimal cost treatments can be added to "soften" the look. Betsy will contact Callie Stewart, our mentor from Bennington Museum, for her input.
2. The next meeting will be June 9th at 4 PM at the school
The meeting was adjourned at 5:20 PM
Betsy Tonkin, Sec
Minutes for Plymouth Historical Society Meeting on March 24, 2013
DRAFT MINUTES OF
PLYMOUTH HISTORICAL SOCIETY
February 10, 2013
Call to order: 4:15 pm at the Town Hall
Present: Melissa Lynds, Michael Clarke, Betsy Tonkin, Barb Lurie, Dee Beckman, Robert Fishman
Secretary’s report: Minutes of Jan. 13, 2013 were approved with corrections.
Treasurer’s Report: accepted as presented
Savings account: $2565.72 as of 2/8/13
Checking account: $1527.53 as of 2/8/13
Credits: 2 water bottle sales $20
Memorial (Diane Gutheil) $50
Donation $5
Memberships (including 2 @$50) $185
Debits: school supplies $59.42
Business Savings Account Interest: $0.11
Memberships: 10 units to date
Old Business:
1. Historic Sites map (Melissa Lynds, Barb Lurie and Robert Fishman)
Map and descriptions are still in Bob’s hands. Mike will email Robert about expediting the printing of the brochure. It is hoped to have the completed brochure in time for the opening of the new venue and summer tourists.
2. 2013 Programming
Melissa reported that she has engaged Bill Hoyt for a program on Gold Mining in Plymouth for April 7th at 2 PM at the Town Hall. The date for the town hall has been cleared by Barbara. The program will last 45 min. to 1 hr. Melissa shared her lantern slide photo copies with Bill. Melissa presented for approval a flyer advertising the event. She will have 20-25 copies made and hand them out at our next meeting for dispersal. The Plymouth Press and local newspapers will also be contacted. After some discussion, Melissa will donate the lantern slides to the Vt. Historical Society where they will be professionally stored and more fully utilized. It was decided that copies of the photos would be made and sold at the Gold Mining event. These could be added to our souvenir list for future sales. Melissa will do a trial photo copy at CVS. She will contact Stanley Brick from Belmont about putting an ad for the Gold Mining Program in the Gold Mining Times newsletter.
Other suggestions for programs were a slide show of the Claflin plate glass negative images when they come from the Vt. Historical Society. This would be dedicated to Betty Jarvi. Also under consideration is a resurrection of an historic sites tour in Plymouth. Some details for this program have already been identified since it was planned prior to TS Irene. This could be a fall program. The grand re-opening of the Historical Society will hopefully take place in June or July (after the Strawberry Festival) and will involve some kind of program.
It was decided to have a membership/souvenir table at the town meeting. Betsy will contact Barbara to seek permission. Memberships and a few souvenirs will be sold.
3. Lease Agreement
Betsy reported that the select board did discuss the lease agreement as written by Robert. The Select board requested that a representative from the school board and the historical society be present at a select board meeting so that all involved could confirm their understanding of the lease and ask questions if needed. Betsy will contact Julie Dupont, or someone from the superintendent’s office, about being present at the meeting. A date will be determined. Betsy will have Sandy Small put the lease on the select board agenda.
4. Painting the school room
The requested paint has been mixed and is ready for pick up. Mike will pick up the paint this week at the Bridgewater Country Store, compliments of the Olsens. Melissa will talk to Andy Crossman about supplies, when he is available to start on the trim and if he would rather work alone or with other paint volunteers. A tentative date to start the painting project is Thursday, Feb. 14th. If necessary, the historical society will purchase necessary supplies and then request reimbursement from the town. Painting may be done at various times and in different groups. Everyone is to keep track on the chalk board what work was accomplished and what still needs to be done.
New Business
The Collections Committee has deferred triaging and packing until the weather gets warmer. Bridgewater will be contacted concerning the use of the MUSARCH program since the purchase of Past Perfect is most likely unrealistic.
Mike will contact Jen Flaster about developing and setting up the website. With the town’s internet package, a second website was offered for free. Barb offered to talk with the contact person to get details i.e., maintenance fees, etc. Bridgewater also was able to get computers, a flatbed scanner and other free IT apparatus through e-Vermont Community Broadband Project. Betsy will investigate this program.
3. Correction of errors in the Plymouth Album
Melissa mentioned that Northshire Book Store in/near Hanover will scan a book and reproduce a soft copy for pennies a page. Betsy will find out if this can be done in a format that allows editing. Corrections are best accomplished by Tom Brown, Jean Hoskison, Phyllis Martin and maybe Robert Earle. Melissa suggested sending around a pencil-corrected copy of the album for additional corrections.
Other
1. Mike asked about the feasibility of having audio-video material capability from archived material to the website. Barb thought it was possible depending on the program.
2. Old photos donated by (?) Dunne were shown. Only one was from Plymouth. It was suggested that the others be sent the respective historical societies depicted by the images.
3. Time to renew membership in the Vermont Historical Society. The members present voted to renew again.
4. The society might want to think about gathering photos, videos and stories related to TS Irene before too much time goes by. It was suggested that an announcement be made at the town meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 6 PM
The next meeting will be March 24, 2013 at 4 PM at THE SCHOOL.
Betsy Tonkin
Secretary
MINUTES OF
PLYMOUTH HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Jan. 13, 2013
Call to order: 4:15 pm at the Town Hall
Present: Melissa Lynds, Michael Clarke, Betsy Tonkin, Barb Lurie, Joy Donnelly, Bob Lambert, Robert Fishman, Dee Beckman
Secretary’s report: Minutes of Nov. 4, 2012 were approved as written.
Treasurer’s Report: accepted as presented
Savings account: $2565.61 as of 12/31/12 and 1/13/13
Checking account: $1326.95 as of 12/31/12 and 1/13/13
Total Credits 2012: $1714 (memberships, donations souvenirs)
Total Debits 2012: $1842.20 (insurance, Coffin lecture, foam board pictures
Vt. Hist. Soc. Membership, window repairs/shade, mentor travel, flag)
Business Savings Account interest 2012: $1.83
Old Business:
Robert reported he had all the information. It just needs to be formatted and sent
to the printer. He will continue to work on it with Wyldon.
Robert reported that the last two emails concerning the intern have gone
unanswered. We will assume they are not interested. Mike’ nephew is also
not available. Robert will contact two high schools (Woodstock and Ludlow)
about possible student help with data entry.
3. Auction information from the Chiolino estate
Melissa purchased a Coolidge souvenir glass; a Calvin Coolidge souvenir
Vermont plate; a Coolidge Campaign button; Calvin Coolidge Centennial
Celebration memorabilia: an invitation, Plymouth Notch Newsletter, ribbon;
and Home Town Coolidge Club button; plus 4 plate glass negatives of Frog
City scenes. Melissa donated 2 Ruth Aldrich Staffordshire Plates to the collection.
4. PVHS programming for 2013
a. slide show of images from plate glass negative donated by Betty Jarvi when they
become available from the Vt. Hist. Soc., probably not until summer time
b. gold panning (Adam Boyce from Reading) 484-7719 or Bill Hoyt. Melissa
generously shared a CD depicting exquisite images reproduced from 1887
“lantern slides” of gold mining in Plymouth which she bought at an auction in
Massachusetts. These could be part of any presentation on gold mining. Don
Wickman’s name (Rutland) was also mentioned. Melissa will investigate
possible dates in early April to engage a speaker.
c. invite town on tour of map sites
d. lime (potash) kilns in Plymouth supported by video taken by historical society
members and possibly a speaker from the Humanities Council. The one on
Farm and Wilderness land may need clean up. Permission will be necessary.
There is also a lime kiln past the Hawk marina but before the bridge which
could be investigated, according to Joy.
e. open house when fully moved into the school- possibly a $5 verbal antique
appraisal benefit for the historical society (Jim Marquis?).
New Business
1. Status of lease document for use of the school room
Robert will call Julie Dupont, school board chair, to draw up such a document.
This is turn will need to be signed by the select board. A copy of the current
Lease will need to be obtained.
2. Collections Committee update
The Collections Committee will begin boxing up objects for removal to the
School where the triage process will take place. Betsy reported that it looks
unlikely that we will be able to purchase PastPerfect with the discount in the
near future. She offered an alternative called MUSARCH, a free online soft
ware similar to PastPerfect. Bridgewater has already catalogued their assets
utilizing this program. Barb volunteered to contact a Bridgewater Historical
Society member to find out more about it.
3. Status of Paint Project
Mike will contact the Olsen’s re obtaining the paint necessary for the school
room (8 gallons). Colors and type of paint were discussed and agreed upon.
Robert will contact Andy Crossman about getting drop cloths, ladders, etc. A
tentative date of Jan. 15th at 6 pm was set to meet at the school house to
determine what prep work would be necessary prior to painting (removing
bulletin boards, sanding, moving electric boxes, etc. An additional set of keys
will be necessary for the Historical Society.
Other Business
1. Bridgewater Historical Society is having a program entitled “How the Town Charters of 1761 Affect Us Today” on Jan. 29th at 6:30. Some members thought they might attend and also get information about their experience with MUSARCH and e-Vermont.
The next meeting will be February 10th at 4:15 pm at the town hall.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:45 PM
Betsy Tonkin, Sec.
2013
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