Farragut Folklife Museum Committee Minutes ... - Town of Farragut

Farragut Folklife Museum Committee Minutes
March 22nd, 2011
Members Present:
Barbara Beeler, Chair
Lou LaMarche, Vice-chair
Jack Bondurant
Loretta Bradley
Dee Henning
Libbie Haynes
Bob Leonard
Bob Linsell
Malcolm Shell
Mona Smith
Delacy "Mul" Wyman
Members Absent:
Joyce Moran
Others Present:
Sue Stuhl, director, Parks and Leisure Services
Approval of Minutes:
Chairperson Beeler called the meeting o order promptly at 1:30 P.M. and asked if there were
any changes or amendments to the Minutes of February 22nd, 2011. With no changes noted,
Bob Leonard moved that the Minutes be accepted as written. Lou LaMarche seconded the
motion which carried
Financial Report:
Barbara reported that our expenditures during March were only $928.73 which leaves a
balance in the Town Account of $6,094.19. With only three months to go in our Fiscal Year, we
are pretty much on track and should not have to draw on our Revolving Account. We do,
However, have some expenditures that will forthcoming during May and June—specifically, the
Frances Abel Memorial Craft Fair the Civil War exhibit that will go in June. Revenue, through
March 21st was $176.00 which, with the exception of a $1.00 student membership, came from
donations. The Current balance in the account is $60,493.05.
Gift Shop Report:
In Joyce's absence, Sue reported that revenue to date is $2,679.06 and expenses are $2,530.13.
the current balance in the account is $6,403.26. As discussed during the meeting of February
22nd, the gift shop has not made a contribution to the Museum at our annual banquet in several
years. Julia noted that the Museum needs a larger flat-screen TV which was voted on and
passed. We are currently working on publishing a Folklife Museum Cook Book which will add
another item to our gift shop book inventory. Books continue to be our best sellers, but jewelry
is also selling well.

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Chairs' Report on Events:
Arrangements have been made with Charley Russell to hold the Avery Russell Home Open
House on April 9l . Barbara noted that we will need at least four persons for each shift in order
to cover both floors. The home will be held open from 9:00 A.M. until 5:00 P.M. Several
committee members indicated they would be available to serve during the opening. There will
be three tours during the Dogwood Arts Festival. The first tour will be on April 15 at 2:00 P.M.
The tour on the 16th will be at 11:00 A.M., and the tour on the 17th will be at 2:00 P.M. At this
point we do not know how many persons to expect on each tour, but the bus, which will load at
Market Square downtown, holds 52 people. Julia will be at the Market Square Location and can
advise us of how many are on the bus. We will also call everyday and try to get the number.
Barbara reported that the Francis Abel Craft Fair is set for June 16th and 17th. Setup will begin
on June 13th, 14th, and 15th. Barbara will visit schools, churches, and civic clubs to solicit item for
display and to encourage attendance. The New Television has been ordered and is possible in.
It will be installed on the west wall in the third gallery. The Civil War Display to commemorate
the 150th Anniversary of the beginning of the war will be installed in April 22nd and will run
through October 24th. There will be a series of three lectures associated with the exhibit. The
first will be Ron Jones, an officer in the Sons of the Confederacy, on May 21st. Dot Kelly, a
members of the Civil War Roundtable and author, will be on August 13th. And Mr. and Mrs.
Gerald Augustus will present a lecture on October 22nd. Exact times for each lecture have not
been established. The theme of the Membership Banquet this October will be a tribute to our
long time Committee members and volunteers. It is hard to know exactly how many hours
each volunteer has worked because some—Bob Leonard and Bob Linsell—have been here from
the beginning. There was no record kept of volunteer hours prior to 1992.
Black History Report:
Loretta passed out evaluation sheets to get feedback for next year's Event. This should provide
some indication of how well things worked and any improvements that we might consider for
next year's event. Loretta asked the Committee to think about what we might do for next year.
It was the consensus of those who attended that the Event went well and that the guests
enjoyed themselves. The guest speaker, Mr. George Underwood Esq., gave a nice presentation,
and the essay winners were a great idea. Mayor McGill was pleased with the program.
(Secretary's Note: Perhaps each member could submit a number of themes and they could be
discussed at one of our future meetings).
Committee Reports:
• Coordinator's Report—In Julia's absence, Sue reported that the placement of the
cannon balls that were to be displayed with the two cannons has been put on hold. The
concrete pads on which the guns sit has sunk some and this has created a slight
drainage problem. There has been a temporary fix but the permanent solution cannot
be completed until December. Once the ground settling and drainage problem have
been corrected, we will install the cannon balls. The purchase of the Avery Russell house
has

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been put on hold for the time being pending further investigation into the
building's history.
• Publication's Committee Report—Mona reported that items for the Spring Newsletter
are coming together. The lead item will be the upcoming Civil War Exhibit and two
feature items by Mona and Malcolm. It is hoped that we can have the completed
product by Monday, 28th so that it can be proofed and sent to the publisher. It takes a
week turnaround time, but if we can get it to the publisher by late Monday, it is possible
that we could get it back on Friday, April 1st, and hopefully in the mail by April 4th. Mona
thanked the Committee members who turned in recipes for the FFM cookbook. It will
be titled Folklife Favorites, and will be published by the same company that did the Fox
Den Cookbook. It will be a professional appearing book that should sell well in our gift
shop.
• Research Committee—Barbara reported that the Committee has met twice and has
made some progress in determining the appropriate sign and wording. However, much
more time will be required to actually come up with the final text for each sign. We are
hoping the committee can finish its work by mid-summer and turn our suggestions over
to the Mayor and alderman for their review and action.
• Admiral Farragut Collection—Malcolm reported that no acquisitions were made during
the period, but we will continue our talks with Paul DeHaan. Sue noted that we are
working on the timeline in the Farragut Gallery which keeps coming loose from the wall.
Public Works will try to fix the problem. Mona noted that it might be possible to have
some artist do a permanent painting. This suggestion will be taken into consideration. At
our last meeting, the Committee authorized the purchase of an Admiral's uniform and a
period dress to keep in our inventory for future events. The amount appropriated was
approximately $1,000. However, $200 more dollars are needed to purchase the
uniforms. Malcolm made the motion that we authorize the expenditure of the
additional $200. Lou seconded the motion which carried.
• Artifacts Committee—Bob reported that there was no sub-committee meeting during
the month but that an individual came into the gift shop and left a box of Civil War
documents, including a Confederate and Union marching song book. Other items in the
collection include money which may be authentic and pertinent documents of interest.
These should make a great addition to our upcoming Civil War Exhibit.
• Docent Scheduling—Libbie reported that we still need docents, and that several of our
more senior docents have had health issues. She passed around a sign-up sheet and
encouraged Committee members to sign-up for more than one time.
• Membership Committee—Libbie reported that she will hold efforts until a later date,
and that there has been no effort during the past month.
• Education Committee—Lou reported that there were no tours during the month but
that a tour was scheduled for March 30th. We will need people to work the tour and
more information will be provided at a later date.

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Empathy—Dee reported that sympathy cards were sent to the Balitsaris family on the
death of Judge Balitsaris and to Bob Leonard's family on the death of Bob's brother Dr.
Joe Leonard. Bob thanked the Committee for all the cards and thoughts.
Hospitality—Dee reported that we will use the same vendor as last year. However, the
menu items have not been chosen. She will get a list from the vendor and will consult
with the committee on the selection. There have been many good comments regarding
the event.
Preserving Farragut's Birth Site—Mul reported that a resolution by the Committee of
Knox County approving a temporary easement/entry agreement for the installation of a
Tennessee Civil War Trails Historical marker to commemorate Admiral Farragut at
Admiral Farragut Park with the local match requirement of $1,100 to be split between
Knox County and Farragut Folklife Museum. The cost will be a one-time charge of $550
for the Museum. There will be a $200 maintenance fee each year which will be defrayed
by Hola Hora Latina. Mul will continue to follow and report on this project.
Adjournment:
The meeting ac adjourned at 3:15 P.M. The next meeting will be on April 26th, 2011 at 1:30 P.M. in
the FFM work room.
Respectfully submitted,
Malcolm^hgfl, Recording Secretary/