Minutes and agenda archive

The meeting was called to order at 7:35 by President E. Moore.

Members present included B. Ayers, M. Austin, E. Dunleavy, J. Griffith, M. Lehman, E. Moore, J. Shank, V. Smith, A, Wayt, and Curt Mason, guest.

Administrator C. Cook was absent. She was teaching a Shepherd University Museum Studies class, and taking them on a tour of the Historic Shepherdstown Museum.

Curt Mason, president of the Friends of Happy Retreat, a group working to preserve Charles Washington’s former home in Charles Town, said that his group was part of a coalition seeking to preserve and consolidate the five Washington family properties in Jefferson County as the Washington Family Legacy National Historical Park. The park would be administered by the National Park Service.  Mason asked for Historic Shepherdstown’s support in the form of a letter to Sen. Robert Byrd and Representative Shelley Moore Capito requesting congressional authorization for a suitability/feasibility study for the park. The study would be conducted by the National Park Service. Mason provided Historic Shepherdstown with a proposed letter which could be edited. Upon a motion by M. Austin, second by V. Smith, the board unanimously approved sending a letter of support for the proposed park to Byrd and Capito.

The Treasurer’s Report was given next. Treasurer E. Dunleavy reported that Entler office rents are down by 1010.80 compared with rents last year for the same period. (Jan. 1-Feb. 12).  One office is currently vacant. Event rents are down by $2580 over last year at this time.  Dunleavy said that the board is going to have to take a look at fundraising and other ways to raise revenue. He added that Historic Shepherdstown needs to be run as a business. The Treasurer’s report was unanimously accepted upon a motion by J. Griffith, second by J. Shank.

After a brief discussion about charging admission to the museum President Moore appointed Dunleavy, B. Ayers and M. Lehman to a committee to discuss a fee schedule for the museum. The board voted to allow an admission fee to the museum during the January board meeting.

President Moore passed around samples of story boards. Each room in the museum and each artifact will have a sign affixed with the museum’s logo. The refurbished museum will have its formal opening of the 2008 season on April 12.  An Historic Shepherdstown spring reception for members only will be held on May with a Premier Opening for large donors on April 4th. The board meeting on March 5 will concentrate only on museum matters, President Moore said.

President Moore announced that March is Historic Shepherdstown Membership Month. He said that membership letters were ready to go and asked that board members meet with Cindy to add a personal note to letters going to their friends. He said these notes really make a difference ion securing new members.

President Moore appointed J. Griffiths and B. Ayers to the Preservation Awards Committee. Mike Austin was appointed to take charge of Oral History programs customarily presented to the public in June.

In closing President Moore said Historic Shepherdstown has several needs so far as income goes. The short term need is to increase current income and reduce expenses. The long term need is for a signature fundraiser to meet building needs. Moore appointed E. Dunleavy in charge of looking into these needs. Moore told board members Dunleavy will be tapping people to work with him on fundraising. “The last time Historic Shepherdstown had a capital campaign was about ten years ago when Jim Holland was president,” Moore said.

The meeting was adjourned upon a motion by E. Dunleavy, second by A. Wayt.

Respectively submitted

Mary Lehman

Secretary