Historical Commission

Sterling Heights Historical Commission June 3, 2021 6:00 p.m. Meeting Meeting held at the Upton House Museum Minutes I. Call to Order Meeting was called to order by Meghan Mott at 6:10 p.m. II. Roll Call Present: Cynthia Appleton, John Connor, Douglas J. Harvey, Meghan Mott, Mark Schell, Bryan Wojciechowski, Karen Turk Excused: Nicholas Cavalli, Tammy Turgeon, III. Approval of Agenda Motion to approve the agenda was made by Connor, supported by Appleton. Motion carried. IV. Minutes of April 8, 2021 Motion to approve the minutes of April 8, 2021 was made by Appleton, supported by Connor. Motion carried. V. Communications/Reports/Correspondence A. Report from Karen Turk, PT Local History/Archives Librarian 22 people came thru the Upton House in April and May Some basement flooding, plumbing repair work was done. No damage to HC items in basement. Roughly $325 left in the 2020-2021 budget. Commissioners suggested purchases of Victorian Christmas accessories and possibly getting the grandfather clock’s striking mechanism fixed. Concern that the latter may be too cost prohibitive since it’s a $150 fee just to get the clock fixer to come out. Purchases made since the last meeting: artifact tags, storage containers, printer/scanner, 2 outdoor signs, 2 display cases, 2 mannequins, sump pump alarm/ flood sensor, document storage kit for the Children of COVID-19 art, and office supplies. We were not able to purchase a wood burning stove or men’s dress outfit. We will purchase with next year’s budget. In the future, the HC member who will be wearing the clothing should contact Maggie May Fashions directly since they will need to supply their measurements. The sump pump alarm still needs to be installed. Turk will email facilities next time she is in. Garrett Gaina and Turk assembled and filled the two new display cases. Gaina has been weeding our local history archive and assisting with archives reference questions from patrons and the City. Not sure how long he will be with us as an intern. Commissioners okay with him staying on for a full year. Another intern is in the budget for next fiscal year. Gaina was not informed of due date for Magazine article. Mott said she will write about the traveling history kit and noted that it is a great tie-in for back to school in fall. Technical Services will need to catalog the kit. Appleton recommended a physical log of cataloged items since patrons do not have access to our catalog. Turk will run and print a report to have on hand at UH if asked. Mott suggested a good future project for an intern would be to add photos of objects into Montage. Appleton would also like Turk to demonstrate the catalog in the future at a meeting. Amanda Itria will make us a poster for the Victorian Funeral Customs video that we can display in the fall. She wanted to know if we would be decorating for Halloween and/or doing a haunted house. Commissioners decided “no” since it isn’t in line with the House’s mission. VI. Unfinished Business A. Historical Marker Program No new applications. B. Sterling Heights Traveling Box 5 minute video received by grant-giving organization, Mott is still working on the binder Mott will ask U-M for blanket permission to use the Holcombe Beach dig site photos for educational materials and a possible future exhibit. C. Park and Canal Markers One sign hung, the other give to Turgeon for Kyle Langlois. D. History is Happening Now Display Not sure when this is happening. Turk will print submissions on resume paper and frame them for the exhibit. E. Upton House Tours  Commissioners want to do the summer tours on the following dates: 6/13, 7/11, and 8/8. June tour: Mott and Harvey July tour: Wojciechowski? Mott? Aug tour: Connor? F. City Bus Tour program Binders provided by Danielle. Filming on Monday. G. Victorian Christmas Program In the works, will be a video. Need 7 people total. Schell will see if his daughter and a friend would like to be involved. H. Sterlingfest in October Would like to be open both days in the late afternoon. Possibly 4-7pm or 5-8pm so as not to interfere with musical headliners. I. Purchases for FY 2020/21 budget See librarian report above. Commission was concerned that it looked like the FY 2021/22 budget was $0, but it is actually $4850. VII. New Business Historical Commission 2021/22 Meeting Dates: 8/5, 10/7, 12/2, 2/3, 4/7, 6/2. October meeting is the day before Sterlingfest. Motion to accept the 2021/22 meeting dates was made by Appleton, supported by Wojciechowski. Motion carried. Commissioners discussed being reappointed and wondered if there was a replacement for Schell since he is stepping down. A replacement was appointed by City Council and he will start the position July 1, 2021. VIII. Communication with Citizens Mott said she is considering giving up the chair-ship. Would like others on the Commission to consider taking up the position. IX. Adjourn Motion to adjourn was made by Connor at 7:25 p.m., supported by Wojciechowski. Motion carried. Next meeting: August 5, 2021