Historical Commission

Sterling Heights Historical Commission December 2, 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 p.m. II. Roll Call Present: Cynthia Appleton, Nicholas Cavalli, John Connor, Douglas J. Harvey, Geoff Hoerauf, Meghan Mott, Bryan Wojciechowski, Tammy Turgeon, Karen Turk Excused: n/a III. Approval of Agenda Add item VII.C. Gravestone Cleaning. Motion to approve the agenda as amended was made by Cavalli, supported by Appleton. Motion carried. IV. Minutes of October 7, 2021 Motion to approve the minutes of October 7, 2021 was made by Appleton, supported by Cavalli. Motion carried. Bryan Wojciechowski arrived and took over chairing the meeting. V. Communications/Reports/Correspondence A. Report from Karen Turk, PT Local History/Archives Librarian 85 Upton House Museum visitors during Okotoberfest. 4 tours of the Upton House Museum were conducted since the Commission’s last meeting in October. A group tour is scheduled in December for adults with special needs. The posters have been hung in the entry for the Bus Tour and Victorian Funeral Customs video programs. When the Victorian Christmas program is finished a poster will be added for that program as well. Suzanne Hathon was hired as the new Library Intern – Archives. She will be working on writing an article for the Summer city magazine. A rocking chair was donated to the Museum and added to the collection. The air conditioning and heat are now working and repairs to the house have been completed. $1,943.60 has been spent through November 2021 in the Supplies line item for the Historical Commission. Karen is working on a brochure to advertise the Upton House and tour availability. Commission suggested putting it at the Senior Center, Community Center and Library. Karen will send a draft out for feedback. VI. Unfinished Business A. Historical Marker Program No new applications. Turgeon received brochures regarding the state’s new program, similar to ours that has a larger fee. Commission suggested that Karen could create a brochure advertising our program as well. Wojciechowski indicated that the Historical Market at Heritage is in rough shape. Turgeon will find out who is responsible for the upkeep of this marker. B. Sterling Heights Traveling Box Traveling Box is now available in the Library catalog. It is housed in the Youth Services area in the Parent Teacher Resources. Turgeon will ask library staff to promote to 3rd grade teachers. C. Park and Canal Markers Turgeon will give sign to Kyle Langlois. D. Upton House Tours – October, November, December Volunteers December 12th – Turgeon and Harvey January 9th – Connor and Hoerauf February 13th – Appleton and Wojciechowski Current tour schedule will continue through April (weekly Wednesdays 1-4pm and monthly second Sundays 1-4pm). Commission will discuss at February meeting what summer tour schedule will be. E. Sterling Christmas – Dec 4, 2021 Wojciechowski will purchase ornaments to sell. Turgeon will purchase candy canes to give out. Appleton, Cavalli, Connor, Harvey, Mott, Wojciechowski, and Turgeon will all be at the Museum to volunteer from 6-8:30pm. Arrive at 5:30pm to set up everything. F. Victorian Christmas Program  Thanks to Appleton and SHTV for completing the filming for the program. Bob will get a copy of the program for the Upton House Museum in time for Sterling Christmas. We are not sure of the date it will be available for general public viewing. G. Historical Display Case in Community Center Hoerauf will be putting a display in the case. Went to Community Center but no cases were available. Turgeon will contact Langlois. H. May History Program at Library Turgeon hired an antique appraiser for a program to be held in May at the Library. Turk is interested in being the staff liaison for the program. VII. New Business A. City Magazine Articles – Summer and Fall Suzanne (intern) will write the Summer 2022 article. Appleton would like to write the Fall 2022 article on Eckerts/Millers. Turk will write the Winter 2022 article on preserving heirlooms, etc. B. 2021/22 Budget Review $1,943.60 has been spent in supplies so far this fiscal year. Turgeon requested the wainscoting project for the kitchen during the capital budget request process. City Management will review possibly splitting the cost of the project with current historical commission funds and additional funds from the city capital budget. Turgeon will find out in January if this will move forward. C. Gravestone Cleaning Mott contacted professor from UofM Flint to conduct a gravestone cleaning program for Sterling Grove Cemetery in the Summer of 2022. Program would involve commissioners attending and also some spots for the general public. Lunch would have to be provided between lecture and actual work of cleaning. Commission was interested in pursuing this. Mott will get pricing and determine date. VIII. Communication with Citizens Commission agreed to take down the Christmas decorations on January 12, 2022 from 4pm until finished. IX. Adjourn Motion to adjourn was made by Cavalli at 7:05 p.m., supported by Mott. Motion carried. Next meeting: February 3, 2022 at 6pm; Decoration take down January 12, 2022 from 4pm until finished.