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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01032012 SMAB mins Sanford Museum Advisory Board • Meeting January 3, 2012 4:30 PM Present: James R. Lee, Chairman Christine Kinlaw Best Patty J. Swann Paul F. Hodgins Carole Hinshaw Mark McCarty, Sanford City Commissioner Alicia Clarke, Curator Absent: Francis Coleman Oliver Charlie Carlson Julie Ellenburg, Secretary Meeting was called to order at 4:45PM at the Sanford Museum by Chairman James Lee. The minutes of the October 4, 2011 meeting were reviewed and approved with the following correction- Carole Hinshaw works with the UCF Library rather than the History Department. Old Business • There was no old business discussed. New Business The board discussed the Sanford Historical Society's holiday party in December. Mr. Lee suggested the museum should provide volunteers to escort guests to their cars when events are held in the evening. He noted that some visitors must park a long way down First Street. Ms. Clarke explained this has been a long standing problem. She said the length of the museum' s sidewalk is difficult for some older and disabled visitors. She said a Sanford Historical Society member with limited mobility recently suggested the museum consider installing a curved driveway that would allow visitors to be dropped off at the front door. Ms. Clarke said she had proposed this to the Parks Department. They passed it on to Engineering. That department said it wasn't a possibility due to water management regulations and the proximity to Pine Avenue. However, the City did recently added two new parking spaces designated for handicapped visitors. The subject of parking will need to be revisited at a later date. The board members suggested looking into the possibility of using golf carts during special events at the museum to take guests to their cars down the street. Ms. Clarke said she would look into the use of golf carts. Mr. Hodgins suggested researching the possibility of using the vacant lot across from the museum. The board noted the loss of parking spaces with every improvement to the street in front of the museum. The new designated spaces and the raised crosswalk took parking spaces. The members discussed the new way- finding signs in the city. The museum is listed on a sign on • Mellonville Avenue. The board discussed the 100`'' anniversary of Seminole County which occurs in 2013. Ms. Clarke asked the board to bring ideas for projects for this event to the next meeting. The board also • • • Sanford Museum Advisory Board January 3, 2012 • Page 2 talked about the Viva Florida 500 celebration in 2013. Ms. Hinshaw suggested contacting the Florida Humanities Council regarding this. Ms. Clarke said she would be putting a Spanish Florida exhibit in the display case at Sanford City Hall. She said 2011 is the 70 anniversary of Naval Air Station Sanford. She is looking for ideas for this anniversary. A discussion of the history of the station followed. Mr. Hodgins said the first plane to arrive at the station was not a Navy plane but an Army Air Force P40 that did a crash landing at the station. Ms. Best reminded the board that February 7 is the 175 anniversary of the death of Capt. Charles Mellon at the Battle of Camp Monroe. The town of Mellonville was named for Capt. Mellon. She said Fort Mellon was large enough to house 2,000 men and was larger than Fort Christmas. Ms. Clarke said she wished there was a way to convince a college to hold an archaeology field school on the site of Fort Mellon. Ms. Best said the remains of the fort are at least two feet below the surface. Commissioner McCarty said he had found very old items in his yard near the site of the fort. Ms. Hinshaw said UCF has no archaeology department but University of Florida does. Ms. Clarke asked the board to think of ideas for all the upcoming anniversaries and to discuss them at the next meeting. Ms. Clarke told the board about a Sunshine Law training session being offered at Sanford City Hall on January 11. She will have information about the Sunshine Laws available at the next meeting. • Election of Officers: Mr. Lee and Ms. Best agreed to serve another year. Ms. Hinshaw volunteered to serve as Secretary. James Lee was reelected as Chairman, Christine Kinlaw Best was reelected Vice Chairman, and Carole Hinshaw was elected Secretary by acclamation. Time of Meetings: The board decided to continue meeting at 4:30PM for 2012. The meeting dates for 2012 -13 will be: April 3, July 3, October 2, and January 8. Ms. Flewellyn presented information about a project she is launching to sell her book The Mosquito as a fund raiser for the EYESEEIMAGES Foundation. She also announced she will be the keynote speaker for the Black Wings exhibit at the Florida History Museum on February 2. She acknowledged the encouragement she has received from her contacts in Sanford. Ms. Clarke suggested she present her book project to the Sanford Historical Society. It was also suggested she contact the Convention Bureau about her projects. A discussion of local poets followed. It was suggested Ms. Flewellyn look into using the Princess Theater for a poetry reading. Ms. Clarke said the Celery Soup group has started doing research at the museum. More discussion of the 100 anniversary of Seminole County followed including ways the play could fit into the county's celebration. The next meeting will be April 3, 2012 at 4:30PM • There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:17PM. • • •