Meeting minutes: Marsh House Board of Trustees
March 15, 6:00 pm, meeting by Zoom
Present: David Boyle, Josh Chapman, Connie Forester, Joan Fowler, John Logan, Jan Shattuck. Davene Nichols, Fred Peacock, (Mary McConnell, Sharleen Robinson, by proxy). Proxies were to David Boyle.
David Boyle presided. The Minutes of the Marsh House Board of Trustees for February 15 were approved unanimously on a motion by (1) Joan and (2) Davene.
The Treasurer’s reports for February 2021 were received. The balance in the Bank of LaFayette account at the end of February was $17,375.54 with income of $109.11 and expenses of $327.17.
Old business
Marsh House east yard restoration after the sewer project. Almost complete after two years. Irrigation system still to be reinstalled. A motion to approve the shortened low brick wall by the street was approved on email last week.
Evolving Strategic Plan. The evolving list of goals and strategies was reviewed. Some examples of shortterm goals are: signs at each entrance to town (Historic Downtown, Marsh House Museum) and protection of furnishings by installing UV screening on windows. Some medium-term goals include renewing the rotating exhibit programs and developing a Donate-a-Brick Program in a memorial garden. Some long-range plans include paid professional staff and a reconstructed carriage house/stable. The next step is for each board member to rank items in importance before the next board meeting. Over the next few months, we will develop a 15-year plan to lead to the 200th Anniversary in 2036.
Thoughts on Donate-aBrick Program. Covered in a review of the Strategic Plan. The proposal will need to be filled out with specifics: Purpose-reasons for the project. Proposed location after consultation with Building and Grounds Committee (consider drainage, underground utilities, sprinkler system, and possible future building or infrastructure). Draftsman’s or engineer’s drawing with measures of the footprint. Budget including site preparation, materials,
labor. Plan for how start-up costs to be paid. Marketing plan—who will buy bricks or donate resources? Then it can be discussed by the Board and sent out for review by our partner agencies.
New business
Request relative to changing use of Welcome Center. The letter from a task force for African American History was attached to the agenda. A motion by (1) Connie Forester and (2) Joan Fowler to agree to the change in use, relocate our exhibits and administrative spaces, and authorize David Boyle to send a letter of support for developing a museum of African American Heritage passed unanimously. There was considerable discussion of how to thin and/or relocate our exhibits and items. The most difficult item to relocate will be the large historic piano, which is for sale for $1,000.
Work area reports
Administration/House management. Tours are available by appointment.
There was a work day last Friday with 4 volunteers from the Day Reporting Center (cleaned low gutters, cleaned the house, relocated several hedge bushes, reseeded parts of the lawn, moved some items from the Welcome Center). David Boyle and Davene Nichols supervised. There was general support for offering some spring events—reopening celebration in early May. Open House? Mother’s Day Tea, yard sale? to be further discussed in April.
Education/interpretation. Looking for a few new docents.
Clayton Bell Scholarship /Internship Program. Report sent by Virginia Rushing, coordinator. The fund-raising reception with reports from students on their research projects will be on Sunday, March 28, on Zoom and videotape to share later. The link will be sent to all board members, contributions for the scholarships can be mailed to PO Box 722 or given on the DONATE button on the Marsh House website. Applications for the Internship/ Scholarship program have been sent to all high school counselors.
Building and Grounds: Developing a list for next year with SPLOST Funds, beginning with exterior repainting, then interior plaster work and wall paper repair. UV window protection samples have been installed on two panes in Brother Precious’ room. Board members are invited to look at them inside and out to see which might be better. We may wait until hot weather to make a decision. Plans for enclosing the back porch to house the Gift Shop and an administrative desk will be developed for review by the board and partner agencies. It seems a fairly simple project. The space will retain the look of a porch. Further discussion of reconfigured drainage on the south and a new walking path from street to street will be continued with various consultants.
There was a time of sharing about local history. Davene Nichols shared that Miss Addie Augusta Wert’s dog was named Sugar (Shugah).
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned.
Next board meeting: Monday, April 19, 6:00 pm on Zoom.