Johnson Historical Society

Johnson Historical Society Meeting 10 December 2025 at 9AM Holcomb House Present: Dick Simays, Kelly Vandorn, Linda Jones, Mary Jean Smith and Lois Frey. Regrets: Alice Whiting. Absent: Mike Dunham. Guest: Dean West President Dick Simays called the meeting to order at 9:06 AM. There was one addition to the agenda: Linda Jones to speak about recent visitors to the Holcomb House. Secretary’s Report: It was made, seconded and approved to accept the 12 November 2025 minutes. Treasurer’s Report: Kelly Vandorn shared a copy of the Historical Society’s page from the Town Budget Approved by Voters 3-4-2025 approved July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2025, which she received from Rosemary Audibert. It showed a net tax appropriation for FY 2026 of $2,855. Administrative Items: Holcomb House Hosting: 1.09.2026 at 9 AM, Dick Simays, 1.25.2026 at 1 PM Linda Jones, 2.13.2026 at 9 AM Mary Jean Smith. On Saturday 2.21.2026 at 2 PM at Jenna’s House (117 St John’s Road) River Memories: Exploring Settlement Patterns on Waterways in Vermont by Alan Beroizheimer will be co-hosted with the Johnson Library, the lead sponsor of the event. The Holcomb House will not be opened on the fourth Sunday of February; but may be opened by appointment anytime, contact any JHS Trustee. Social media: Linda Jones is working on the JHS newsletter with plans to have it written before December 30th then sent to Dedra Dolan for layout. It was decided to move the President’s Greeting to the final page. Standing Committee Reports: *Buildings, Grounds, and Facilities: East wall insulation project - Following discussion about priority items at the 17 November 2025 Selectboard meeting, the Selectboard agreed to pay $15,000 for Holcomb House repairs from the current budget and to budget $20,000 for roof replacement in FY27. With the East wall insulation project being a priority, Dick Simays solicited bids from three vendors and has received one bid to date. He will follow-up with the Selectboard to keep the project moving. He recently cleared the gutter of reachable ice. The final step for getting Fire Marshall approval to use the upstairs requires only the installation of a smoke detector in the dining room, which Dick Simays is awaiting. Mary Jean Smith found a potential example of a shelter for the baggage cart. She is gathering information about who to contact and will follow-up. She also will send a thank you note to Gilles Lehouillier for his contributions to JHS building projects. *Collections: MaryJean Smith reported on the 18 November 2025 visit to Dibden on the college campus to meet with Phil, the curator and visual arts director to discuss the potential loan of selected Ruth Mould paintings. Some of the Mould paintings have recently been moved from a storage closet to exhibition space on campus. They are the most likely ones to be available for loan to JHS. She will follow-up to request next steps. *Revenue Development: No activity. *Membership: Linda Jones reported that Alice Whiting completed the annual membership letter and it was mailed to all members on 3 December 2025. Lois Frey left copies of the 2026 membership form by the door at the Holcomb House. As a reminder, one membership benefit is a mailed copy of each Johnson Historical Society newsletter when written. Recent visitors: Linda Jones reported that she visited with the Brooks family, Tara, Josh, and Olivia. Tara’s great, great grandfather was Willis Shangraw. Olivia Brooks was researching the 1927 flood in Johnson and her family’s connection to it for a college project. Linda was able to help them and they spent time perusing the collection. Before leaving, they made a generous donation in appreciation. Olivia will share her story with Linda once it is complete. FY27 Budget consideration: No action. Road name consideration: Following discussion of the request from Justin Mason, Town Assessor to use Place instead of Lane for the road name recently called Uncommon Lane (change to Uncommon Place) was okay with the JHS Trustees. Town Report preparation: Dick Simays asked if any date had been announced for delivery of town reports to Rosemary. None known to date but anticipating an end of December deadline, Lois Frey volunteered to take the lead on the report. *Acquisitions: Dick Simays reported he spoke with Rebecca Brooklin from Jericho who has a couple of diaries from her mother, one of the Ober family members. She will donate them to Johnson Historical Society. Marla Emery gave Linda Jones a collection of collectibles from the Emery family including: a collar worn by Mabel Emery, an S.R. Miller & Son Insurance Company lighter, OXO fluid beef in cubes, a square head spike, a packet of Grand Union sewing needles, a 25 cent token used for food stamp change, and a GDE metal imprinter for George D. Emery. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 11:10 am. Minutes recorded by Lois Frey, Recording Secretary. Next Meeting: Wednesday, 14 January 2026 at 9 AM at the Holcomb House.