Historic Preservation Committee

Historic Preservation Commission Minutes Date: Wednesday January 14, 2026 Place: City Hall, 206 S. Madison, Council Chambers 1. Call to order: In the absence of Mayor Harper, city administrator Michael Kuchta called meeting to order at 5 p.m. and chaired the meeting. 1. Roll call Present: John Angeli, Mike Johansen, Linda Lucke, Melissa McCauley, Mike Steffel, David Timmerman (quorum present) Absent: Stuart Harper Also present: City Administrator Michael Kuchta 2. Minutes from meeting of 10/15/25: Motion to approve by Johansen, second by Lucke; approved on voice vote 3. Report by Hibbard et al on listing Dewey Church on National Historic Register: Hibbard was not present 4. Discuss applying for National Fund for Sacred Places Program is funded by Lily Foundation to preserve worship spaces. Application deadline is March 3. Sites do not need to be on the Historic Register. Program seems to prefer active congregations, but Rep. Travis Tranel’s office says that is not always the case. Timmerman will take lead; Steffel will assist. Timmerman expects to consult with Angeli and Hibbard. Timmerman reported that he applied for a $50,000 grant from T Mobile toward installation of a new roof and restrooms in the Immanuel Episcopal Church building (aka, the Dewey Church). No matching funds are required. Notification is expected in March. 5. Brainstorm on promotion for the church a. How do we get the church in the public’s mind? b. What activities can we use to promote the church? c. How can we use the Mosquito Bowl as a promotion for the church and the city? Extensive discussion on the desire to educate the community more broadly on its history. This can be done by: i. Highlighting key buildings/sites and their importance. This type of education could include the Dewey church and cemetery, places already on the National Historic Register, and other prominent buildings (Reed’s Opera House, the Odd Fellows Hall, original pool bath house, Civil War Memorial, Walker’s building, original settler homes, etc.). Research exists that describes importance of these sites, and can trace history of individual buildings (plus the individuals or businesses that occupied them). Information can be compiled into compelling stories and walking tours. There have not been formal home tours in at least a dozen years, and the last “Dewey Days” was 20 years ago. Historic Preservation Commission Minutes of Jan. 14, 2026 1  ii. Taking advantage of events such as the upcoming “Mosquito Bowl” film on Netflix (featuring the story of Lancaster native Dave Schreiner); America 250 celebrations; or Lancaster founding anniversaries. Can we arrange a “premiere” of the film at the Grantland Theater, which is only a few blocks from Schreiner’s childhood home at Cherry and Tyler? Can we brainstorm ideas for a Schreiner walking tour featuring places he might have hung out? Can we tie in with “history hops” or scavenger hunts created by the Grant County Historical Society or Platteville groups, or any “Mosquito Bowl” events created by the University of Wisconsin? iii. Understanding that this type of education is not necessarily part of the HPC’s defined mission, but using members’ knowledge, resources, and connections to partner with other history advocates in the community. Motion by Timmerman, second by Johanson to recommend that the City Council expand the history resources on the Lancaster website to feature the Dewey church and cemetery, and other appropriate sites and events. Approved on voice vote. 6. Discuss Dewey Church work a. Paint tests: Steffel said the university’s Wisconsin Occupational Health Laboratory will test paint samples for $40 each, with a turnaround time of seven working days. Recommends sending samples from exterior and interior. Consensus to wait until Timmerman receives word on grant in March. b. Window protection: Harper sent word that he made no progress. Timmerman will reach out again to Steve Zabel. McCauley will check with Glass Heritage in Davenport, which has experience with church windows. c. Scheduling a workday? Consensus is that roof is priority (perhaps $30,000). Windows are next (at least $2,000). Dewey heritage group does not have that in reserves. Scheduling of workday postponed until after receiving word on grant. d. Getting donations in kind? Workday would require large crew, equipment such as lift and/or scaffolding. Perhaps these can be donated as in-kind support. 7. Schedule next meeting: No date set. 8. Adjourn: Timmerman motion, Angeli second to adjourn at 6:35 p.m. Historic Preservation Commission Minutes of Jan. 14, 2026 2