Historical Commission

HISTORICAL COMMISSION MEETING February 8, 2018 ∞ 9:35 a.m. Cario Middle School 3500 Thomas Cario Blvd. ∞ Mount Pleasant, SC 29466 MINUTES Members Present: Rick Gutowski, Chairman; Patrick Morrissey, Vice Chairman; Heidi Schless and William Ray Excused Absence: Robert Macdonald and Ken Shortridge Staff Present: Chris Luly, Planner Mr. Gutowski called the meeting to order at 9:41 a.m. I. Approval of Minutes Mr. Morrissey moved for approval; seconded by Mr. Ray. All present voted in favor. II. Public Comment [None] III. A Brief History of Mount Pleasant / Michael Robertson Michael Robertson, Principal Planner for the Town of Mount Pleasant, provided a brief history of the Town of Mount Pleasant. IV. Staff Update Mr. Luly stated that if the Commission is going to present the Plantation Singers with an honorarium, it would need to be voted on today. Mr. Ray made a motion to provide the Plantation Singers with the same honorarium as last year; seconded by Ms. Schless. Mr. Morrissey stated that this was covered in a previous meeting. He said the Commission already approved the cap budget for Black History  Historical Commission February 8, 2018 Page 2 of 11 Month, and as long as the honorarium is within the budget authority, it should be covered. Mr. Luly stated that he was advised by staff that the Commission needs to have a motion for the honorarium for the Plantation Singers. All present voted in favor. Mr. Gutowski advised the students that this is the fourth year the Historical Commission, a commission appointed by the Mayor of the Town of Mount Pleasant, has promoted and supported Black History Month. He stated that in February, there are free events each Saturday promoting the rich cultural history of Black History in the Town. V. Committee Reports QUICK FACT FRIDAYS Ms. Schless provided a presentation to the 8th Grade Cario students regarding Quick Fact Fridays and the Commission’s involvement in the publishing of the QFF’s. She said that these are sent out via email or on the Town’s Facebook or Twitter accounts to provide brief pieces of information on the history of the Town. She stated that she would like to raise awareness of the QFF’s and explained the purpose and background of the QFF’s.  Historical Commission February 8, 2018 Page 3 of 11 Ms. Schless discussed the various themes and topics covered in QFF’s published in 2017 that are assigned to Commission members to write. She also reviewed the various topics the Commission members are proposing to cover in 2018.  Historical Commission February 8, 2018 Page 4 of 11 Ms. Schless provided students with a sample of what a QFF looks like.  Historical Commission February 8, 2018 Page 5 of 11 She stated that this year in February, the Commission will feature Black History Month each Friday in February and showcase the free events held every Saturday in February.  Historical Commission February 8, 2018 Page 6 of 11 She stated that on the bottom of QFF, there is a standard area which points to the primary sources and how you can sign up to receive QFF’s or access them. Ms. Schless showed the home page for the Town of Mount Pleasant’s website, and by clicking on “Our History”, how it will take you to the history page shown below.  Historical Commission February 8, 2018 Page 7 of 11 She stated that this page will have additional links to the Historical Markers in the Town, the Founding Fathers, Museums, Historical sites, as well as a list of oral histories that were recorded and transcribed. She added that the Historical Commission also has their own website and app, and if you click on any of the map markers, an image and the story behind the story will open. She stated that there are topics on Historic Plantations, Shem Creek, and other different Mount Pleasant historical sites. She stated that these are the two main sources that are utilized in the Quick Fact Fridays, as well as other sources. She mentioned that Mary Julia Royall, one of the honorary members of the Historical Commission, is also the Town’s historian and has written two books on the Town of Mount Pleasant’s history, which are available in Cario’s library.  Historical Commission February 8, 2018 Page 8 of 11 She stated that the bottom paragraph of each QFF has a link that will instruct you on how to sign up to begin receiving QFF’s. She stated that if you click on that link, it will take you to the Town website shown below, which will allow you to sign up to receive various notifications for Town events of interest.  Historical Commission February 8, 2018 Page 9 of 11 She said you may also click to like the Facebook page or follow on Twitter. She said that each Friday, QFF’s are posted. Ms. Schless asked the students for their help in growing readership of QFF, which has grown over the years. She stated that the Commission would like to increase readership to 20,000 by the end of the year, as the Town is growing. She asked for topic suggestions as well as target markets, such as girl scout/boy scout troops, and ideas or recommendations to help the Commission grow their readership. She said the students could put their ideas and suggestions together and provide them to their teachers and they will send them on to Mr. Luly at the Town of Mount Pleasant. Mr. Gutowski showed the students the two books mentioned by Ms. Schless that were written by Mary Julia Royall, and donated to the school. He said that Ms. Royall is the Town Historian, as well as a standing member of the Historical Commission.  Historical Commission February 8, 2018 Page 10 of 11 ARCHIVE ROOM Mr. Morrissey stated that regarding the archive room, the furnishings have not yet arrived and as he understands through Purchasing, the Town is coordinating an order for the remaining items to complete the Town Hall outfitting and does not have a confirmation that the Archive Room furnishings are on that list. He will follow up. COMMUNICATIONS Mr. Ray had nothing to report at this time. VI. General Discussion – Items of Interest Mr. Morrissey stated that if any of the students or their parents have an interest in hiking trails in the Town, one of the things that the Historical Commission is involved in is Christ Church line, which is just across the Long Point Road intersection to Highway 17. He said during the Civil War when the Confederates were concerned with Union attack, Robert E. Lee was in charge of the Southeast Coast and he designed the defenses of Charleston. He said part of the defense on the northern flank was called the Christ Church line, because the line went through the parish grounds of that church. He said if you are on Highway 17 and drive by, you can see a small berm where the dirt stands up, and that line went from Boone Hall Creek all the way to the marsh where the Oyster Point neighborhood now sits. He said portions of that line are still preserved and Highway 17 goes through it. He said if you go to the Oyster Point neighborhood, the developer worked with the Town and donated some land. The public can walk where the berm once was and the fortifications where the cannons were in place to go over the marsh to protect Dewees and Capers Islands are there, and they built an observation tower. He said there are some private lands, but there are easements to try and protect that berm. The new developer is on Six Mile Road and is also working on extending the trail. He said as part of the Town’s Comprehensive Plan, the Historical Commission is trying to obtain some enthusiasm or involvement with protecting the points that already exist and connect them with a history trail, but also as a hiking  Historical Commission February 8, 2018 Page 11 of 11 trail that will extend from the Pinckney Plantation, Boone Hall, across Highway 17 and go down to the already existing trail at Oyster Point. He said that he has already discussed with the Comprehensive Plan group that where it is available, to try and reach out toward Laurel Park and make some type of biking/hiking comprehensive trail for the Town. He said if the students or their families have an interest in this, they can go online to the Town’s website and there is an area where you are able to put in your comments or ideas for the Comprehensive Plan. He said if there is enthusiasm for it, the Town will possibly consider developing this. VII. Adjourn Mr. Ray moved to adjourn; seconded by Mr. Morrissey. All present voted in favor. There being no further business, meeting adjourned at 10:29 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Barbara Ashe February 8, 2018