|
Executive
Board Meeting / Marlow Historical Society / January 15, 2008, 6:30 PM
/
(Postponed from Jan. 8 due to the
weather.)
The
meeting began at 6:35 PM. Maria Baril, Gen Ells, Pam Little, Loisanne
Foster, Art Schmid, and Candy Wiggum were present. The Secretary’s
Report was read and accepted as read. The Treasurer’s Report was
studied. A question was asked about the “reimbursement donation to
‘M and HF.’ The questioned was tabled until the next meeting and the
Treasurer’s Report was accepted.
OLD
BUSINESS:
Saving
the Burnap House
We
agreed that to persuade the owners of the Burnap House to save it, we
need to have a plan for it. We reviewed our original proposal to the
owners of Audio Accessories that they donate the building to MHS and we
lease the building. In exchange, we would restore its outward appearance
as authentically as possible with new roof, correct period siding, and
paint. We discussed the feasibility of this, given our commitment to
Murray Hall (the Grange), the Hearse House, and our yearly operating
expenses. Although concerned about taking on yet another large
commitment, we agreed that it would be a shame to let this historical
building go, considering James Burnap’s importance to Marlow and his
political roles. Recalling the more than $20,000 we raised to save
Murray Hall and, having faith in our new Sustaining Memberships, we
decided that, if given the chance, we do dare to take it on. So far, we
have not received a reply to our proposal.
The
immediate plan would be to stabilize the James Burnap home and make it
presentable as described above. The second part would be to make it The
Future Home of Marlow Historical Society with a view to obtaining grants
to accomplish this, including possibly an LCHIP Grant. Candy noted that
it would be best to apply for a grant for a set of Marlow buildings
“to save Marlow’s historic character.” This would then include the
James Burnap House.
Marlow’s
1876 Album Quilt
Loisanne
explained that this bride’s album quilt is still with Kathy Harvey who
is conserving it, and we have the money set aside for the work.
Cemetery
Walk
Loisanne
reported briefly on an workshop in Concord sponsored by the NHHC and
NHHS. The workshop explained in detail how to produce a Cemetery Walk in
which the walkers “meet” several of the cemetery’s permanent
residents represented by actors. Claremont and Charlestown have held
successful Cemetery Walks. This is a labor-intensive project with many
people engaged over a period of time in research, writing monologues,
planning, and rehearsing. It is not a spook walk, but a lively way of
teaching local history. It should not be taken on lightly, but only with
assurance of a large group of people committed to its success.
February
Newsletter
In
view of our decision at the last meeting to produce an MHS newsletter in
February, both Pam and Loisanne brought articles to appear in the
letter. No doubt Mary will have an article about the James Burnap home.
We will include the 2008 calendar as well. Mary will send the material
to Dave Stewart who will print it for us. Dave is a volunteer, but we
will reimburse him for materials.
NEW
BUSINESS:
Marlow’s
1991 Album Quilt
Maria
drew our attention to the fact that the signatures on Marlow’s 1991
album quilt are fading fast and soon will not be legible, a concern that
Mary had brought up previously. We decided to ask those among the quilt
signers who are still with us to re-sign over their original signatures
and find a calligrapher to re-sign the others following the original
lines. Pam noted that a special ink is sold in quilt shops for the
purpose of such quilt signatures. Maria volunteered to make a template
of the names represented as the first step to conserving the quilt. As
Tracy messer noted, Marlow’s children’s children will be grateful
for our efforts.
We
also have a 1976 quilt embroidered with Marlow’s significant buildings
and objects which seems to be doing well.
Jones
Hall Maintenance
The
Town had previously set aside an amount of money to have a fire alarm
system installed in Jones Hall, but it seems that this is not enough to
cover the cost of the alarm and its installation, so it appears that a
Warrant Article is needed to raise money to defray this cost. Apparently
the selectmen have at least one estimate. Also, Jones Hall is ready for
a coat of paint to preserve the exterior. Gen noted that the people of
Marlow have made it clear that Jones Hall should be maintained.
Marlow’s Selectmen told Mary that, if she is interested, she could get
estimates for these jobs and petition for Warrant Articles and the
petitions should designate the cost amount. We believe that, as
custodians of the Town’s buildings, the Selectmen should procure the
estimates and write the Warrant Articles having to do with preserving
Town buildings.
Nonetheless,
in view of our commitment to maintaining Marlow’s historical
character, we plan to meet with the Selectmen at their regular session
on Tuesday, Jan. 22. We have several questions for them. What estimates
have they already gathered for the alarm system and for the painting of
Jones Hall? Are three estimates required for each? What bid process is
taking place? Art suggests that, since the quality of paint makes a
difference whether the paint job will last nine years or nineteen, the
cost of the paint should be put in a separate Warrant Article. We will
ask that this be done. Are the petitions necessary? Pam will have with
her draft petitions in which only the amounts are left blank.
Membership
Drive
We
need two letters, one for the regular members and one for the lifetime
members whom we will ask to consider becoming sustaining members.
Loisanne will draft them and send them to Maria posthaste. Maria
volunteered to take care of the rest, including addressing and stuffing
the envelopes, work that we had traditionally done at a January Business
Meeting. In fact, we decided to postpone our Business Meeting until
June. (See our proposed calendar below.)
Meeting
Times
The
question was asked as to whether we should begin holding meetings on
weekends. Our response was a unanimous no. We did, however, decide to
move the Executive Board Meeting from the first Tuesday of each month to
the first Thursday of each month to accommodate the present schedules of
the Executive Board. The General meetings will remain the third Thursday
of the month, unless otherwise announced.
2008
Calendar
Here
is the MHS Calendar we hammered out after much discussion.
January
--NO GENERAL MEETING
February 21
- 7 PM -- A Discussion of the Web Forum - Loisanne Foster -
Refreshments served
March
8 - SATURDAY - TIME ?? - Meet the Candidates
April
17 -- 7 PM - New Members Reception - Refreshments served
May
15 - 7 PM - Humanities Council Program (to be arranged by Pam Little and
announced later)
June
19 Business Meeting - Summer Barbecue - SOME QUESTION OF DATE, TIME AND
PLACE (Odd Fellows?)
July
(NO DATE YET) - Monadnock Music at the Xmas Tree Inn - (Maria
volunteered to handle the food.)
August
(No date selected, possibly 16th) No Time - Tour of 3 Marlow Cemeteries
September
18 - 6:30 PM -- ANNUAL MEETING - COMMUNITY SUPPER (Bring a dish.)*
October
- Harvest Fest with MHS Art Show, Art Show Reception and booth
December
- Christmas program with skit at Jones Hall
ALL
MEETINGS HELD AT CHAPEL UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED
*
In view of the fact that we do not feel ready for the full dramatic
production called for in a Cemetery Walk as described in the Concord
workshop Loisanne attended, we decided to compromise and invite three
eighteenth century Marlow people to appear and mingle with the guests at
our September Community Supper. We will ask Adam Plumb to appear as his
ancestor and early Marlow settler, Aaron Huntley. We think Bruce
McWilliams of Concord would do a fine job as our first settler, Solomon
Mack from whom McWilliams descended. We also think Clay Bradley would do
well as Ebenezer Beckwith, Marlow’s first paid Baptist minister. We
need a woman represented. Perhaps someone would enjoy being Hepzibah
Tubbs, ancestor of our own John Salo.
Lunch
at Town Meeting
We
decided that, for the time and effort required on the part of many
people, this is not an effective way for us to raise funds. We noted,
that since the PTA has many more people to participate, we could ask the
PTA if they are interested. The Conservation Commission might wish to
tackle it. In the end, we decided to bring it up with the Selectmen when
we visit them and let them know the venue is vacant. Maria is willing to
man an MHS table with items for sale at the Town Meeting if we decide to
do that.
Liberty
Elm Trees
Candy
suggested that next growing season we ask people to agree to “adopt a
tree,” making sure that it has plenty of water. We thank Scott Chase
and David Davis for watering the trees near their homes last summer.
Maria
reminds us that, when we plant the three remaining elm trees next year,
we need to have huge holes, much larger than the root balls, and make
sure the soil in these holes is much improved. We decided to ask Debbie
Rhoades for advice on the best treatments for our elms.
The
meeting was adjourned at 8:50 PM.
Respectfully
submitted,
Loisanne Foster
[Top
of Page]
|