Historical Commission Agenda and Packet 2011 02 12

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HistoricalCommission Minutes October 20, 2010 Page 2of 3 In City news, the public hearing for the 2011 budgetis complete. The two Museum capital improvements are(1) replacing the sign and (2) weatherproofing the shingles on the Museum buildings.The City Manager meets formally with Beth quarterly, and for the latest meeting, he visited theHistoricalMuseum. Beth Barrett also reported that Library circulation is up 14% over this time last year. VIII.Museum Coordinator’s Report:Bridget Bacon A.A major rainstorm in August led to water leaking into the basement and damagingitems storedthere, which luckily were not Museum artifacts. City maintenance has since assessed the situation and found that the gutters were full and outflow aimed the wrong way. This has been repaired. The Conservation Assessment Program report from 2004 had recommended that items from the Museum’s collectionin the basement be removed, but storage limitations have kept this from being completed.A current concern is with increased humidity in the basement due to the presence of the water.A volunteer brought charcoal dehumidifiers to the Museum and they have been collecting water. B.Deeds of Gifts: It was moved, seconded and approved to accept the followingdonations. Richard Bodhaine –Louisville Midget League items from the 1960s and other sports itemsrelated to Louisville. Susan Cawley –a ledger and a notebook from the estate of Eugene Madonna Dave Ferguson -kitchen scale that has been in his familyas well as a framed photograph of his grandfather, a Louisville resident. BarbaraHesson -1965 City of Louisville accounting ledger and a number of items from the Austin-Niehoff family of Louisville and other Louisville items, including posters advertising events at Redmen Hall, a work apron from Steinbaugh’s, a picnic basket and vintage clothing. Ronda Leggett -copies of “Lookout” newspaper and football programs from Louisville High School and Louisville business items. Marilyn Paitel -Enterprise Novelty Co. mail order catalog from the early 1900s found in the donor’s home. Enterprise Novelty Co. wasbased in Louisville. Virginia Evans –items that belonged to her husband, Louisville native Lee Evans, including archival items relating to Louisville High School classes of 1908 and 1935 and historical business items. PatriciaLester -photo of her parentsin front of their house at 932 Main and a newspaper clipping. Anonymous -Louisville High School jacket from the 1960s. C.Two large items have been offered to the Museum.Bridget Baconstated that it was her recommendation to not accept the itemsdue primarily to space constraints, but she wanted to consult with the Commission about the items.After discussion,it was determined not to accept themdue to space considerations, although they are interesting.Thefirst item was achild’s hospital bedthat is not from Louisville. The second item was a wooden icebox that was notoriginally from Louisville; also, the Museum already has an icebox in its collection. D.Bridget asked for guidance about what to do abouttwo largehistoricalitems currently being stored outside at City Shops.These items were recently brought to her attention by City staff. City staff is willing to continue to store the items if they are wanted.They consist of a Novo water pump used to pump water from the coal mines and an old mower.The Commission recommended that the water pumpcontinue to bestored outside at City Shops, but not the mower.Bridget stated that she will let City staff know. E.There were no questions regarding the Museum Coordinator’s Report. Itwas noted that visitor numbers are down due to fewer open hours, but not as far down as simple math would have predicted. People seem to be planning to visit the Museum. Bridget statedthat the City might seek to have volunteers,including Commission members, sign indemnification forms. She will share more information when it becomes available. Assessor records from 1948 for Louisville held at the Carnegie Library are being scanned for the Museum.