City of Jacksonville Heritage Cultural Center Board met Jan. 6.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
Due to COVID-19 restrictions on gatherings, the January board meeting was held at the Jacksonville Area Museum building (Old Post Office) with a teleconferencing option available in accordance with the suspension of the requirement of the Illinois Open Meetings Act requiring in person attendance by members of a public body during the duration of the Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation. The meeting was called to order at 5:15 p.m. by David Blanchette, Chairman. Those present included David Blanchette, Chad Boehlke, Jane Breen, John Clancy, Diane Hollendonner, Nick Little, James Pisell, Greg Olson, Samantha Sauer, and Tiffany Warmowski. Absent were Patsy Erickson (Emeritus), Kyla Hurt, Laura Marks, Brittany Henry (Ex-Officio), and Judy Tighe (Ex-Officio). Steve Varble attended as marketing consultant. Also present was McKenna Servis, museum manager.
The minutes of the December 2, 2021 board meeting were approved as distributed.
Treasurer James Pisell reported that the checking account balance was $47,324.38 at the end of December. Receipts were $3198.00 (donations and memberships) and expenses were $6388.06 including monthly bills (George Alarm, GoDaddy, and garbage pickup), printing of forms and payment to Steve Varble for marketing services. It was noted that $6000.00 had just been received from City of Jacksonville and will be reflected in next month’s report.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Administrative: Greg Olson, Diane Hollendonner, and Laura Marks have all agreed to be reappointed to the Heritage Cultural Center board for a term to run January 1, 2022 through January 1, 2025.
McKenna Servis presented the manager’s report. She has been rearranging some of the exhibits and processing a recent donation (Civil War era toys, photos, and books from the Lewis/Thompson/Allen family collection). It was voted to authorize spending not to exceed $2000 to purchase archival and processing supplies. Samantha Sauer reminded the board that the museum’s membership with Illinois Association of Museums allows an 18% discount on purchases from Gaylord. Jim Pisell researched a computer for the office area and it was voted to authorize spending not to exceed $1500 for the purchase of a computer tower, monitor, and hard drive. Chad Boehlke noted that an accounting of expenditures for supplies needs to be added to the budget, and that it would be a good idea to look for grants to assist with those purchases. Board members were encouraged to sign up to work at the museum on Wednesdays when McKenna has class.
The museum sign post is at Bob Hawks Company. They removed rust, repaired it, and have it powder-coated. It should be ready for installation soon. Ace Sign Company is working on the sign to hang on it. Steve Varble is working on a design for some type of flag/banner to put out on days the museum is open to draw attention from the public.
David Blanchette reported that snow removal will be handled by Lawson’s (same company hired by Morgan County Historical Society to mow the lawn) on a per job basis. Bacon & Van Buskirk in Springfield submitted a quote of $965 to repair/replace glass in display cases; it was voted to accept that quote and go forward with the work. It was noted that the city attorney had offered the opinion that the museum didn’t need to seek several bids for such jobs, and also noted that an attempt had been made to find a Jacksonville company to do the work with no success. Samantha Sauer and Chad Boehlke will work on drawing up guidelines for future bidding.
John Clancy reported that a friend would like to donate an electric typewriter used by Louise Coop (Morgan County Clerk 1958 – 1974, first woman to run for countywide office in the State of Illinois) in her office at the courthouse, possibly the first electric typewriter in use in Morgan County. McKenna discussed her idea for a “Person of the Month” exhibit featuring artifacts/information about well-known Jacksonville residents, and thought this might fit in as an example. It was noted that it would be a good idea to have something that ties the artifact to the person, such as a photo of Mrs. Coop using the typewriter.
Steve Varble reported that Laura Marks and Greg Olson are writing the narrative for the Capps exhibit, and that it will probably be two or three panels similar to the Lincoln display. Diane Hollendonner has contacted a friend, Christy Mackie, who is the great-great-great-granddaughter of Joseph Capps and who will be sending some information on the family business. Laura is also writing a narrative for an expanded Mother Carson display, and Steve is going to have a photo cutout made to add to the panel. Bound to Stay Bound has been contacted to ask about the cost of producing the panels but no response yet.
David Blanchette will seek bids on electrical work, including additional outlets and lighting for exhibit area, safe room, Postmaster’s room, east entrance, and also a water heater hookup.
Ed Killam at Antiquarius has offered a display case, and there is still a case at Our Saviour’s to pick up. Steve Varble mentioned the need to purchase more modern museum display cases with higher shelves and better lighting for future exhibits.
Fundraising: No grants are pending at this time.
The Jacksonville Area Museum Foundation is able to receive donations at this time. The Bound to Stay Bound Foundation recently made a $50,000 donation towards development of the south space (Phase 2) of the building.
Cindy Boehlke is currently working on ideas for souvenir sales.
Collections: It was voted to accept several new items into the museum’s collection, including a donation from the Lewis/Thompson/Allen family (100s of photos, Civil War era toys, 1872 Morgan County Atlas, book straps & old school books, CB Lewis museum plates), and items Nick Little had acquired (rotary phone, LaCrosse Lumber apron, JHS 1982 dedication mugs, 2 small beer buckets, E. State Street Passavant Hospital plates).
Exhibits: The Voices and Votes exhibit was successfully packed up and moved on to Clinton IL for the next viewing, and Blanchette completed a condition report to send with it. It was noted that attendance at the exhibit seemed to attract more visitors from out of town than locals. People seemed to like the display of local items from our collections that connected to Voices and Votes. Samantha is now working on reports to the Illinois Humanities Council about the exhibit, the local programs, and the Christmas children’s program. The board expressed appreciation to Nick Little for an outstanding job of decorating the museum for Christmas, and noted the great publicity overall that the museum received during promotion of the Voices and Votes exhibit. Nick Little mentioned that the Christmas program posters were well-received and many local businesses agreed to display them.
Promotion: Steve Varble said a social media posting of the Bound to Stay Bound roller skaters has received approximately 10,300 views so far, with many comments and also identification of the skaters provided by viewers. The posting of Santa arriving in Jacksonville has received approximately 11,500 views and many comments. He has posts lined up through March, and would like to add “Person of the Month” information also. Work continues on the website.
Steve will be working on a tourist information card about the museum to add to the information racks that Brittany Henry maintains at area hotels and businesses. Looking for Lincoln liked our Lincoln scavenger hunt and will be using it in some of their promotions. He has talked to Ace Sign about a big flag on a post to place outside on days the museum is open. We also need a better Open/Closed sign for the front door.
OLD BUSINESS: None.
NEW BUSINESS: Chad Boehlke noted that we need a door bell at the east entrance for handicapped visitors and also a handicapped parking space out front. Steve Varble said the membership Excel spreadsheet needs to be updated.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None.
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, February 3, 5:15 p.m., at the Old Post Office building, 301 E. State Street. Social distancing rules will be observed and call-in option is available upon request.
With no further business or announcements to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
http://cms6.revize.com/revize/jacksonvilleil/city_government/boards_commissions_and_committees/docs/Boards%20Commissions%20Committees/HCC_Minutes/2022/Minutes%2001.06.2022.pdf
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