Johnson Historical Society April (7)

Johnson Historical Society Special Meeting 7 April 2025 at 9AM Holcomb House Present: Dick Simays, Kelly Vandorn, Linda Jones and Lois Frey. Regrets: Mike Dunham, Alice Whiting, Mary Jean Smith. Guests: Dean West, Duncan Hastings Dick Simays called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM. Following review of the agenda no items were added. Dick Simays stated the purpose of the special meeting was to discuss and prepare a reply to #12 Weathervane on the Selectboard’s agenda for April 7, 2025. The weathervane being discussed was originally located on the Congregational Church (1832) which later became the Old Town Hall and is presently the Lowe Lecture Hall. The original hand-forged weathervane was discovered stored in the Lowe tower. It had been replaced by another weathervane at some point. When the town sold the property to the Vermont Studio Center, the Town retained ownership of the displayed weathervane and the memorial monuments. The hand-forged weathervane that was on display at the Municipal Building during the 2023 flood is the property of the Johnson Historical Society having been donated to JHS by Gary Clark and George Pearlman on September 30, 2016. The Town may want to remind the Vermont Studio Center of the Town’s ownership of the weathervane before the building is sold. Following discussion it was moved, seconded and approved to advise the Selectboard that the Historical Society plans to re-take possession of the hand-forged weathervane and would also request return of its plaque and/or reimbursement for its replacement and material the cupola. The Historical Society plans to create display space for the hand-forged weathervane, which we believe should only be stored or displayed in a weather protected space. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. Minutes recorded by Lois Frey, Recording Secondary. Next Meeting: Wednesday, 9 April 2025 at 9 AM at the Holcomb House.