West Central Reporter

City of Jacksonville Heritage Cultural Center Board met Feb. 7.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

The meeting (held in the Jacksonville Municipal Building Mayor’s Conference Room) was called to order at 5:15 p.m. by David Blanchette, Chairman. Those present included David Blanchette, John Clancy, Patsy Erickson, Diane Hollendonner, Kyla Hurt, James Pisell, Samantha Sauer, and Steve Varble. Absent were Trevor Lawson, Laura Marks, Charles Rice, Brittany Henry (Ex-Officio), and Judy Tighe (Ex-Officio).

Minutes of the December 6, 2018 meeting were approved as distributed. (There was no meeting held in January.)

Treasurer James Pisell reported that there had been no activity other than the addition of $5.45 interest in December and $5.10 interest in January, bringing the balance to $42,792.54 in the money market checking account. Laura Marks is still watching interest rates for possible investment in a certificate of deposit.

Samantha Sauer announced that Illinois College had received a grant to fund the exploration of resources needed to apply for a National Endowment for the Humanities grant to fund a “history harvest” of historical items in preparation for the Jacksonville Bicentennial in 2025. She distributed copies of the grant proposal, and discussion followed on how the Heritage Cultural Center might take part in some of the events.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Employee/Staff Management: Dave Blanchette received names for possible board members and will contact the individuals to see if there is interest in serving on the board. If so, he will submit the names to Mayor Ezard.

Due to several conflicts, there will be no board meeting on March 7. The next board meeting will be on April 4.

Volunteer Recruitment/Management: No report.

Fundraising and Budgeting: James Pisell has submitted a grant request (up to $400) to the Illinois Association for Advancement of Archaeology for a wall case suitable for displaying projectile points and is waiting to hear if it qualified.

Plans for the Hard Hat Ball fundraiser have been placed on hold due to anticipated construction work on the Old Post Office by contractor Gerald Halligan. The Morgan County Historical Society has received funding to finish the front part of the building, which would make it

possible for the Heritage Cultural Center to eventually set up display cases in the lobby area and open to the public. Mr. Halligan also looked at the proposed storage and work area in the front area of the basement, and the HCC board might be interested in having him work on that project.

Acquisitions/Archives & Historian: Steve Varble reported that the Jacksonville Savings Bank/CNB conversion will take place soon and there may be “historical” items to consider at the next meeting such as signs, photographs, or office items with the Jacksonville Savings Bank name.

Board members are still searching through storage areas for a section of railroad track.

Samantha Sauer suggested that she look through the Illinois College archives for some photographs of the museum exhibits at Illinois School for the Deaf to determine what items might have been boxed/stored together to narrow the search.

Exhibits/Facilities: The cleaning day for the display cases in January was postponed due to a blizzard. David Blanchette still has cleaning supplies; it was decided to reschedule the cleaning day for the next board meeting on April 4 at the Old Post Office building.

The board discussed possible themes for display cases in the progressive exhibit of museum items in area businesses, including primitives (projectile points), City of Jacksonville, food/manufacturing, and retail businesses. The Ken Bradbury collection items have been sorted at his home, and should be ready to share at the next board meeting.

No action has been taken on acquiring surplus office equipment property.

Special Events/Public Education & Promotion: Steve Varble reported that the Facebook page is still active and generating Jacksonville historical posts every few weeks. If the temporary progressive exhibits will be moving into the community soon and the Old Post Office building project is approaching completion, it is time to develop a museum website, logo, branding guidelines, and plans for promotional announcements to generate public interest.

Interns: Trevor Lawson has “graduated” from intern to board member.

OLD BUSINESS: None.

NEW BUSINESS: None.

There were no public comments.

The next meeting will be held on Thursday, April 4, 5:15 p.m., at the Old Post Office building on East State Street. (There will be no meeting on March 7.)

With no further business or announcements to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 6:33 p.m.

https://www.jacksonvilleil.gov/city_government/boards_commissions_and_committees/docs/Boards%20Commissions%20Committees/HCC_Minutes/2019/Heritage%20Cultural%20Center%20Minutes%2002072019.pdf