Historical Commission

Sterling Heights Historical Commission October 7 , 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 6:03 p.m. II. Roll Call Present: Cynthia Appleton, Nicholas Cavalli, Douglas J. Harvey, Meghan Mott, Bryan Wojciechowski, Tammy Turgeon, Karen Turk Excused: John Connor, Geoff Hoerauf III. Approval of Agenda Add item VI.H. Chair Position. Motion to approve the agenda as amended was made by Cavalli, supported by Appleton. Motion carried. IV. Minutes of August 12 , 2021 Motion to approve the minutes of August 12, 2021 was made by Wojciechowski, supported by Appleton. Motion carried. V. Communications/Reports/Correspondence A. Report from Karen Turk, PT Local History/Archives Librarian 8 people came thru the Upton House Museum since the Commission’s last meeting in August. The outdoor signs have been installed. Patrons can scan the QR code to listen to a five- minute audio tour of the Upton House Museum. Meadowbrook Hall Magazine wrote an article about Dodge Park and Karen provided them with photos and information. They will be providing us with a copy of the article. Items were purchased for the Victorian Christmas program. Garrett’s internship ended at the end of September. We are currently in the process of hiring a new intern to start in October. The Civics room and Sterling Heights families room have water damage due to water getting into the house through the windows in the cupola. The insurance company has been contacted regarding repairs/restoration. An antique stove was purchased for the kitchen. VI. Unfinished Business A. Historical Marker Program No new applications. Mott will convert the old VHS tapes to DVD. She will contact Karen to pick them up and work on at home. B. Sterling Heights Traveling Box Jason was given items to catalog. Mott will add photos from University of Michigan. C. Park and Canal Markers Turgeon will give sign to Kyle Langlois. D. Upton House Tours – October, November, December Volunteers October 9th – Turk, Cavalli and Harvey (open house style) October 10th – Appleton and Hoerauf November 14th – Mott and Himmler December 12th – Turgeon and Harvey Current tour schedule will continue through April (weekly Wednesdays 1-4pm and monthly second Sundays 1-4pm) E. City Bus Tour program Thank you to Amanda for the beautiful poster to promote the program. 3,300 views via Facebook and 300 views via YouTube. Turgeon will ask Amanda to create one for the Victorian Funeral Customs program and the Victorian Christmas program. We can also get copies to put up in the parlor for guests to use their phones to watch. F. Victorian Christmas Program Hoerauf, Mott, Turgeon, Wojciechowski, and Turk will be the actors for the program. They should send their availability to Appleton as soon as possible for times between November 1-15th for rehearsals. Contact Appleton regarding costuming. G. Historical Display Case in Community Center Hoerauf will be putting a display in the case.  H. Chair Position Mott made a motion to nominate Bryan Wojceichowski for the Chair position, supported by Cavalli. Motion carried. Wojciechowski accepted the nomination. He will begin the position at the next meeting in December. VII. New Business A. Sterling Christmas – December 4, 2021 Expect to hold open house from 5-9pm that night. No information regarding activities for the full event yet. Commissioners will decorate the house November 3rd from 3pm until finished, so please come in the evening if you can. B. May History Program at Library Commission suggested an antiques roadshow type program or preservation type program. VIII. Communication with Citizens After the new year, commission will talk about doing a video of the upstairs of the Upton House Museum so those unable to access it will be able to see it. Commission also suggested a future video on the homes with date plaques as well as how homes have changed in Sterling Heights. Articles for future magazines: New Intern can do one for the Summer 2022 magazine (facts about Sterling Heights, did you knows about Sterling Heights, info about the May program, etc.). Hoerauf can do the Fall 2022 magazine article with a topic of his choice. Turk can do the Winter 2023 article on preserving heirlooms. IX. Adjourn Motion to adjourn was made by Wojceichowski at 7:20 p.m., supported by Cavalli. Motion carried. Next meeting: December 2, 2021; Decorating for the holidays will take place on November 3 rd from 3pm until finished.