Historical Commission

Sterling Heights Historical Commission November 1 , 2018 40433 Utica Road Sterling Heights, MI 48313 Minutes of Meeting I. Call to Order Meeting was called to order at 6:45 p.m. by Mott. The Commission was busy decorating the Upton House for Sterling Christmas from 5 – 6:45 p.m. II. Roll Call Present: Cynthia Appleton, John Connor, Douglas J. Harvey, Meghan Mott, Mark Schell Staff Present: Tammy Turgeon Excused: Nicholas Cavalli , Steven Pomaville III. Approval of Agenda Mott suggested adding item VII E Girl Scout Tour and VII F Cemetery Walk. Motion to approve the agenda as amended was made by Appleton, supported by Connor. Motion carried. IV. Minutes of August 2, 2018 Motion to approve the minutes of the August 2, 2018 meeting was made by Appleton, supported by Schell. Motion carried. V. Communications/Reports/Correspondence Commission members continue to receive local historical groups’ newsletters forwarded to them via email. Appleton reported that the MCHA is considering extending the Passport program through next year. She also indicated that Debbie from MCHA might have some historical items for us to display. Cynthia also has the name of a possible organist from the Marlette Depot (Pat Ross). VI. Unfinished Business  A. Names Project The document is on google docs so that everyone can update it. Mott will make sure the bus tour items are on the document. B. Oral History Conversion Project The Library hired an archival intern. She will be invited to the February meeting to tell the Commission what she is working on. Part of her evaluation of our archives is to assist with the Oral History Conversion. C. Wikipedia Page No news on the editathon. D. Historical Display in Library Doug is working on this to be ready for January 2019. E. Clippings and Scrapbook Intern is evaluating what we currently have and how we should move forward with this project. F. Historical Marker Program No new applications. G. May Historical Program Commission suggested a Bath City program by Kim Parr. Turgeon later received information about a Faygo program and will pursue that. H. Sterling Christmas This event will be on December 1st from 6-8:30p.m. Mott, Cavalli, Connor and Appleton will be there. Marge Kohler has volunteered to play the organ and will be there about 5:45pm to play holiday music off and on. I. Summer City Magazine Article Schell will write an article about elections. VII. New Business A. House Update Connor will look for an icebox and two potbelly stoves. The Commission wants to decorate the kitchen to make it a part of the tour with antique kitchen pieces and move the ones from upstairs into the kitchen.  The porch is being replaced/repaired starting November 7th. The Commission agreed that they will keep the house open on the second Sunday of each month from 1-3pm in 2019. This will provide more access to the house and promote Sterling Heights’ history as well as acknowledge the money that is being spent to preserve it. B. Volunteer Fair The city’s volunteer fair is being held on November 14th from 4-7 p.m. at the Senior Center. Mott can work from 4-5 p.m. Appleton will also work the fair from 4 – 7 p.m. Appleton will create a brochure. C. Traveling History Box Mott sent out an email regarding this idea and what would be in the box. It is a kit for teachers to use when teaching students about local history. Commission agreed that this was something that would be useful to create. D. Bus Tour Suggestion for next year’s bus tour is to change up the route and add Lakeside and Malow. Turgeon will find out if the bus is available June 1st. (It is not, but June 8th is so it was put on Parks & Rec’s calendar) E. Girl Scout Tour A Girl Scout troop and parents want a tour of the Upton House. Commissioners were not available to help with the request. Turgeon will conduct the tour on December 1st at 10 a.m. Harvey offered to assist. F. Cemetery Walk Mott is working on organizing a cemetery walk of the Sterling Grove cemetery for either October 19th or 13th. Turgeon will find out if a bus is available. The first step is to identify families (maybe the Saal family). Turgeon will ask Vercellone for families that we have the most information on. VIII. Communications from Citizens Mott will send suggested dates for an extra meeting in January to determine what inventory we have and what items we want to move to reorganize the house.  Appleton offered to clean a tie-back from the curtains to see if we can clean them safely so that we don’t have to purchase new ones. Appleton also polished silver for the display case. IX. Adjourn Motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Schell, seconded by Harvey. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m. Next meeting: February 7, 2019 at 6 p.m. We will take down the decorations in the house before the meeting.