Historical Commission

Sterling Heights Historical Commission May 10, 2017 40433 Utica Road Sterling Heights, MI 48313 Minutes of Meeting I. Call to Order Meeting was called to order at 6 p.m. by Mott. There was not a quorum so no voting occurred. II. Roll Call Present: Douglas J. Harvey, Meghan Mott, Steve Pomaville Staff Present: Tammy Turgeon Excused: John Connor, Frank DiMaria, Ruthann Schinzing, Scott Townsend III. Approval of Agenda No action was taken. IV. Minutes of February 2, 2017 No action was taken. V. Communications/Reports/Correspondence Commission members continue to receive local historical groups’ newsletters forwarded to them via email. VI. Unfinished Business A. Names Project Document is being used to determine stops for the city tours. It was been put on google docs so everyone can add to it. B. Oral History Conversion Project Would love a volunteer to help with this. C. Wikipedia Page Community Relations updated this. Please review and comment. D. Historical Display in Library Waiting for Townsend to do a display. E. Clippings and Scrapbook One of the library staff members is assisting with this project. Still need a volunteer to keep this going. F. City of Sterling Heights Book The book is due to the publisher mid-June. Currently working on pictures for the cover of the book.  G. Historical Marker Program No new applications. H. City’s 50th Anniversary 1. Tour of City Commission discussed locations to have the bus go by and reviewed the map with locations highlighted. Commission will have to limit the locations and maybe create a booklet that residents can use to do their own tour with all of the locations. 2. Memorial Day Parade Commissioners thought it would be good to walk in the parade in 2018. Wondered if Connor had a classic car we could use. I. CDBG Grant Application The Upton House application was approved. Turgeon is waiting to find out when funding will be available. This will provide repairs for the outside of the house as well as repainting. J. Fall City Magazine Article Pomaville will write an article for the Fall City Magazine. The article is due by July 8th to Turgeon. K. May Historical Program Our next program is on May 17th with Our Own Snug Fireside – Revolutionary War at 6:30 p.m. at the Library. L. MCHA Annual Meeting This is being held on Saturday, May 20th. Mott and Harvey will be attending. VII. New Business A. 2017/18 Historical Commission Budget The Historical Commission budget was approved. It includes an additional $4,000 in supplies to improve the interior of the house with period furniture and other ideas that the Commission may have. Kim Parr from the Crocker House as offered to give us a tour and talk about how that house was made into a museum and provide ideas about how we might improve the interior. B. Funding for Upton House – Councilman Nate Shannon Councilman Shannon discussed the additional appropriation of $4,000 for the Upton House. He is hopeful that this will be continued for additional years to improve the interior of the house and make it into more of a museum. Commissioners suggested a pump organ, a fake stove, a roll top desk, a set table with fake food, a marble top table, a rocking chair, and  mannequins dressed in period clothing. We also need to start a collection inventory. Commissioners should each bring two ideas with pricing to the next meeting. C. Winter City Magazine Article Mott volunteered to write an article about holiday traditions of the Civil War era. D. Sterlingfest – Upton House Hours Turgeon will send out an email for commissioners to volunteer. The house will be open on July 28th and 29th from 4-7pm. Four volunteers are needed for each day. E. Upton House Open Hours During Dodge Park Farmer’s Market – June, July, August The Upton House will be open on June 8, July 13 and August 10 from 3- 6pm during the Farmers Market. At least three volunteers, but prefer four, are needed for each shift. Turgeon and Mott can do June. Harvey and Pomaville can do July. Mott, Harvey and Pomaville can do August. Turgeon will send out an email asking other commissioners to volunteer. F. 2017-18 Historical Commission Meeting Schedule Turgeon will email the proposed meeting schedule for next fiscal year. The Commission will continue with four meetings a year on the first Thursday of the month. VIII. Communications from Citizens None IX. Adjourn Meeting ended at 7:45 p.m. Next meeting: August 3, 2017 at 6 p.m.