HomeMy WebLinkAboutHistorical Commission 01-16-19
HISTORICAL COMMISSION
Dennis Wright
Greenmead Historical Park
MAYOR
20501 Newburgh Road
Livonia, Michigan 48152
Linda McCann
(248) 477-7375 DIRECTOR
Fax (248) 426-8568
Emily Tchorz
PROGRAM SUPERVISOR
Community Resources Department
33000 Civic Center Drive
Livonia, Michigan 48154-3097
(734) 466-2540
Livonia Historical Commission
Voting Meeting
January 16, 2019
The meeting was called to order by Stephanie Miner on January 16. 2019 at the
Alexander Blue House at 6:29 PM.
Present: Deanna Brown, Mary Cambridge, Nancy Frye, Barbara Mansfield,
Stephanie Miner, Gary Pritchard, Sandi Pritchard. Commission is authorized 9
members, so as of this date, we are short two commissioners.
Other Attendees: Emily Tchorz, Carrie Budsinski and her son, Lucas.
I. Approval of minutes: Nancy Frye, Secretary
November 14, 2018 Voting Meeting reviewed. Barbara Mansfield made a motion to
approve the minutes and Deanna Brown seconded it. Minutes approved
unanimously.
II. Treasurer’s Reports: Mary Cambridge, Treasurer
Mary Cambridge presented the November and December 2018 reports.
November 2018: Hinbern sales ($408.70), Church rentals ($1400), Meeting House
rentals ($620), Arcadia Publishing ($77.60), Grandma's Attic ($895.75). Total
income $3,402.05. Wedding supervisors ($120), Meeting House supervisors ($150),
supplies for Highland tea (645.27) and Grandma's Attic ($25.99), two bounced
checks ($30). Total expenses $971.26. Net profit $2430.79.
December 2018: Hinbern sales ($359.51), Church rentals ($1800), Meeting House
rentals ($840), Donations ($458), Tours ($90), Christmas Tea ($386), Christmas
Walk ($1264.40), Grandma's Attic ($30). Total income $5223.91. Wedding
supervisors ($630), Meeting House supervisors ($150), supplies for Christmas Tea
($671.26). Total expenses $1533.05. Net profit $3690.86.
III. Reports: Commissioner’s report of activities, building reviews, participation:
Mary Cambridge: Completed cleaning and organization of Kingsley and Shaw
upstairs, Print Shop, Hinbern back room and upstairs. Took Christmas décor
down in Kingsley and Shaw and Bungalow. Farmhand's basement is almost
done with clean/organize. Worked in Hinbern basement. Hung curtains in
Bungalow and upstairs in Shaw. Got parlor sofa from ABH reupholstered. Put
more artifacts in DUR. Tweaked Christmas décor in Hill House prior to walk.
Continuing with jewelry pricing.
Nancy Frye: Served as Hill docent during Christmas walk. One tour Sunday in
December. Contacted Woman's Relief Corps (still an active national
organization) to get info on the stained-glass window in the church from WRC No
84. Still waiting for President to contact with potential historical information.
Greenmead added to their website as a place to tour to see their window.
Gary Pritchard: One tour Sunday in December.
Sandi Pritchard: One tour Sunday in December.
IV. Greenmead Supervisor report: Emily Tchorz
a. Maintenance Update:
1. Greenhouse: Received one bid for repair by State Electrical Co. Met
with Linda McCann and Jerome Hanna, Dept Head of Inspection to
review proposal. Mr. Hanna to check references. Awaiting meeting with
DPW to review findings and decide if we accept the bid or repost. We
have $74,500 earmarked for the repair. There could be close to $25,000
extra in recommended repairs. We will have to decide if we do the extra
work and then fund it.
2. Carpet in the Newburg Church was installed.
3. Purchase order secured for Buckmaster to replace South Barn roof.
4. Blue House carpet cleaning scheduled for Jan 28, 2019.
5. Motion 01-01. Barbara Mansfield made the motion to clean the carpet
in Hinbern now. Sandi Pritchard seconded it and the motion passed.
6. Grant for repair of Church stained glass windows written and submitted
to Livonia Community Foundation. Nancy Frye suggested we consider
submitting a request for an electronic sign at the gates next year. Gary
Pritchard said his VFW put a large one in for $6,000. We would still need
to run electricity to the site. Gary will get the information from the VFW as
to their contractor.
b. Boy Scout Projects on hold till Spring.
c. Rental Income to Date (2019 FY):
Church: $2,120.
Meeting House: $795.
d. Nankin Mills School House update: No final inspection yet so holding last
payment ($12K) until Mr. Hanna says everything is in good order. Waiting for
contractor.
e. Budget Status of the Trust Fund: $161,082.29. This excludes $56,757.91
held in a restoration account and $18,007.87 in the trust being held for the
Greenhouse work. Preservation funds held in the Trust: $3,757.29.
f. Proposed major renovation projects for 2019
1. South Barn roof
2. ABH corner near utilities that is rotted
3. Bungalow window
4. Geer Front windows. Wood holding glass in place is starting to rot
5. Hinbern roof and ramp
6. Barbara Mansfield suggested adding a walk way to the side door of
ABH (to bypass the kitchen) with an overhang at the door.
g. The old newspapers have been scanned through 1950 are close to done.
Papers after this are larger and we will have to determine how we will scan them.
V. Review of Events & Planning for Future Events:
a. Treasures from Grandma’s Attic, November 17, 2018, net proceeds: $869.76.
b. Livonia Historical Society, November 19, 2018: Well attended, Bob Hardy
spoke. Will book again for additional Livonia historical lore. Emily Tchorz has
been speaking at each meeting with Greenmead operation updates.
c. Christmas Walk, December 1, 2018: Well attended, good sales in Hinbern.
d. Christmas Tea at the Blue House, December 8, 2018: Sold out, had Victorian
carolers.
e. Livonia Historical Society, January 21, 2019: Subject to be Fur Trading.
f. Volunteer Recognition January 24, 2019: selected menu and gifts to
volunteers, several Commissioners to come early to help with set up and sign in.
g. New Volunteer Orientation, April 2, 2019 at 6:30pm.
h. Valentine’s Tea, February 9, 2019: close to sold out, speaker and gifts set.
VI. Additional Business & Action Items:
a. Stephanie Miner asked the Commissioners to all sign up to do the annual
review of our buildings after the winter to determine our maintenance priorities.
b. Stephanie Miner passed out the 2019 tour schedule and asked
Commissioners to sign up for the dates they will work. Barbara Mansfield
suggested each Commissioner take 2 tours and fill out the second position with a
volunteer. Commissioner or staff will find volunteer for tours. We can also ask
Preservation Commissioners to assist with tours.
c. Tour Guide Information Meeting will be combined with the volunteer season
opener. Nancy Frye asked for any corrections or changes to the docent
guidebook so an update can be provided to our docents at that meeting. Emily
Tchorz will make a note in our tour income summaries that 2018 was the first
year we didn't charge admission but went with donations. We believe this
brought in more money than in the past.
d. Gardener’s Informational Meeting is TBD in the Spring. Suggestion is to hand
out flyers to people renting garden plots at their informational meeting to garner
additional volunteers. Jan Whitcomb, our head garden volunteer, has 5 solid
volunteers but more are needed. She is also looking at shrinking some garden
areas. Commission suggested flyers at nurseries and flower shops also.
e. Coffee Maker at the Blue House is currently working. City monies would be
used to replace if necessary.
f. Suggestions were solicited to increase our "advertising" methods. Patty
Trojan will continue to update our Facebook page which was highly successful.
g. Gary Pritchard mentioned that Home Depot has a grant program and he will
get information on it.
h. Nancy Frye suggested voting on bylaws to run the Commission per the City
Charter. After discussion, the majority felt we did not need to codify our
operating procedures in writing.
i. The washer is almost hooked up. Should be in operation any day.
j. It was suggested that we buy some inexpensive ponchos for our volunteers
when we get rainy events. Also, to sell in the gift shop. Barbara Mansfield
offered to research this.
k. Emily Tchorz brought forward the suggestion to hold a full tea instead of a
drop-in tea at the Irish Festival. Commissioners felt that would be fine.
l. It was suggested that photos be taken of our buildings when they are
decorated for Christmas. Carrie Budzinski told us her husband was a
photographer.
The next official, non-voting meeting will be Wednesday February 20, 2019.
Adjournment: Gary Pritchard made the motion to adjourn the meeting and Sandi
Pritchard seconded it. The meeting was adjourned at 8:09.
Respectively submitted,
Nancy Frye