City of Jacksonville Heritage Cultural Board met Jan. 2.
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 5:26 p.m. by David Blanchette, Chairman. Those present included David Blanchette, Cynthia Boehlke, Diane Hollendonner, and Laura Marks. Absent were Michael Burke, John Clancy, Patsy Erickson, Kyla Hurt, Lynne Phillips, James Pisell, Charles Rice, Samantha Sauer, Brittany Henry (Ex-Officio), and Judy Tighe (Ex-Officio). Steve Varble attended as marketing consultant.
In the absence of a quorum, approval of the minutes of the December 4, 2019 board meeting and the treasurer’s report were postponed until the February board meeting. No action was taken on any agenda items; however, reports were presented as available.
It was noted that the bill for painting and patching at the Old Post Office building will be paid in full since the contract with JB Large specified that a second coat of paint would be applied if needed and approval by the board was not required.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Administrative: The Illinois College Museum Studies class, taught by Samantha Sauer, may be assisting with cataloging museum items after the move to the Old Post Office building. David Blanchette will speak to the class in February. James Pisell will meet with the class on location to look at the museum items and discuss a plan. The security system is scheduled to be installed on Tuesday, January 7. Moving items to the building will take place after clean-up of the work and storage space.
David Blanchette reported that the $5000 grant from Landmarks Illinois for window restoration has been denied, but a conference call is scheduled for January 10 to discuss suggestions for improving the grant for re-submission. The application for the Smithsonian traveling exhibit “Democracy in Action” has moved to the second round for consideration. He has also given several tours to groups and individuals interested in the current work done on the building and the plans to open later in 2020. One concern is that there is only one functioning restroom; it would cost approximately $2000 for the Morgan County Historical Society to finish the second restroom. Several suggestions were made for possible funding.
David Blanchette met with Jeremy Carrell, Volunteer Services Director at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, on December 12 to discuss volunteer training. Kyla Hurt has a copy of their volunteer manual and is adapting it for our use. Carrell may be available at a later date to meet with the board or with volunteers to discuss training and procedures.
Mayor Ezard has indicated that the E. State Street improvement project will start in May. Sidewalks will be replaced and the odd parking space in the museum driveway will be eliminated. Stay tuned for more updates.
Collections: A display of donated items belonging to former Jacksonville mayor John R. Davis was reviewed by the board. It included his gavel, a set of china used at his home when entertaining guests to the city, a letter opener, and photographs.
Laura Marks displayed an advertising card from the F. H. Grassly grocery store which had been located on E. State Street and there was discussion about its location in relation to the post office.
Exhibits: Steve Varble and Laura Marks are working on an outline for an introductory video to tell Jacksonville’s “story” and plan to use Col. Verne Fernandes’ book as a resource. It was noted that the presentation should be accessible for deaf and blind visitors. Dan Thompson was mentioned as a possible resource for advice on making the website accessible. It was also noted that the museum previously had a “teaching collection” of items that could be touched by visitors who couldn’t see the items.
Cindy Boehlke and David Blanchette are still looking in the storage area for the Mrs. Tucker flooring piece. The check presentation for the Jacksonville Area Children’s Foundation grant is scheduled for January 16.
David Blanchette has contacted all donors of large items (section of water line, base of original city arch, etc.) and they are willing to deliver the items to the museum whenever we are ready to put them in place.
Steve Varble is working on ideas for better lighting for displays, including possible construction of “backgrounds” with mounted lights to highlight the displays.
The progressive exhibits displayed in cases at local businesses are still in place.
Promotion: Steve Varble passed out copies of a proposed timeline for museum marketing and public relations prior to the museum opening later in 2020, including plans for a new Facebook page, the website, communications to past and potential donors, and the welcome video.
No date has been set for moving items from storage, but plans are developing for recording and sorting items as they arrive and are placed in the building.
The Sunrise Rotary Club met at the Old Post Office building on December 10 and enjoyed the tour.
OLD BUSINESS: None.
NEW BUSINESS: None.
There were no public comments.
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, February 6, 5:15 p.m., in the Mayor’s Conference Room at the Jacksonville Municipal Building.
With no further business or announcements to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 6:53 p.m.
http://cms6.revize.com/revize/jacksonvilleil/city_government/boards_commissions_and_committees/docs/Boards%20Commissions%20Committees/HCC_Minutes/2020/Minutes%201.2.2020.pdf
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