The
program for this year’s meeting was delivered by Randy Haynes, a Senior Planner
with the City of Bryan and a past President of the Society, who spoke on
“Preservation Partners.” This thoughtful
presentation, which generated quite a bit of discussion, identified a number of
organizations and agencies involved in historic preservation and the extent of
their involvement. Mr. Haynes also
discussed the work of the City of Bryan Historic Landmark Commission and some
of the topics under consideration.
Following
Mr. Haynes presentation, Mr. Beto provided a few remarks on what had transpired
over the past year, citing both progress and disappointments. As for the disappointments, Mr. Beto said:
On August 13, 2013, the Society
lost Floyd M. Jones, a past President.
For those of you who don’t recall, Dr. Jones attended last year’s
membership meeting and had a great time sharing stories during the reception.
Then on January 2, 2014,
Dorothy Van Riper, a founding member and a generous supporter of the Brazos
Heritage Society, unexpectedly passed away.
And on January 18, 2014, former
Brazos County Commissioner Billy Beard died.
Now Billy was not a Society member, but we all owe him a debt of
gratitude, because he is responsible for cleaning up the Boonville Cemetery. Before he made this one of his projects, the
cemetery was a disgrace.
Now I don’t want to dwell on
the passing of these three wonderful people, but they each left a legacy that
warrants recognition.
On a
more positive note, Mr. Beto reported the Society has a new website, thanks to
Vice President Isabel McPartlin and her husband. The Society’s electronic newsletter – Heritage Brazos – continues to carry
information relevant to the mission of the organization and the interests of
the membership. The Astin Clothing
Collection, entrusted to the Society many years ago, now has a home with the
Heard-Craig Center for the Arts in McKinney, which is the repository for many
Astin family items. In addition, the
Society provided financial support to the A&M Garden Club for the Richard
Carter Park restoration project and to the Brazos Valley African American
Museum.
Following
his remarks, Mr. Beto began conducting the business of the organization. The first order of business was the approval
of the minutes for the 2013 Annual Membership Meeting. Sheila Fields moved that the minutes be
approved, and Nat Hilliard seconded the motion; the motion carried.
The
Treasurer’s Report, prepared by Beverly Myers, who was unable to attend due to
illness, was presented by Mr. Beto.
Briefly summarized, the Society has $1,952.61 in a checking account and
$8,400.23 in a certificate of deposit, for a total of $10,352.84. As for membership, there are 37 member units
in the Society: six individual members ($10.00); 20 family members ($15.00); 10
heritage members ($100.00); and one life member (honorary). Mr. Beto noted that 2014 membership dues are
now being accepted. Stephanie Hilliard
moved that this report be accepted, and Sheila Fields seconded the motion; the
motion carried.
Tom
McDonald, Of Counsel to the Executive Committee and who is involved in a number
of activities and organizations that share a common purpose – the preservation
of our heritage – provided a detailed report on the progress of the restoration
of the Queen Theatre and a list of individuals and businesses providing in kind
support. He also discussed activities of
the Downtown Bryan Association. Judge
McDonald reported that St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church will celebrate its 100
anniversary of its worship facility on April 27. He advised the William Joel Bryan Chapter No.
14 of the Sons of the Republic of Texas has finally secured permission from the
state to move the Turner-Peters Dogtrot Log Cabin from Grimes County to Brazos
County, and that once restored it will be placed adjacent to the Boonville
Cemetery. Judge McDonald reported that
most of the funds for this project have been raised but that more is
needed. He concluded his remarks with a
discussion of the restoration of Temple Freda, which has just been deeded to
the City of Bryan. Randy Haynes also
joined in on this discussion.
Next on
the agenda was Stephanie Hilliard, Co-chair of the Events Committee, who spoke
about past and planned activities.
Upcoming events include the Spring Tea, the Museum of the American G. I.
Open House, several proposed day trips for members of the Society, Independence
Day festivities in Heritage Park, and Boonville Days.
Sheila
Fields, Chair of the Research Committee, recalled the Society’s work in
creating a community marker for the old Boonville Jail site; she advised that while
there was no current project in the works, she was receptive to considering
other community markers for appropriate sites.
Linda
Roberts, Char of the Eastside Historic District Committee, was unable to
attend the meeting due to a conflict.
She provided a written report, which each member received. Mr. Beto advised that this report required no
action but encouraged those present to read it.
In the
absence of Beverly Myers, Chair of the Nominating Committee, Mr. Beto gave that
report. It was the recommendation of the
Nominating Committee that the following slate of officers be approved: Stephanie Hilliard for President; Isabel
McPartlin for Vice President; Sheila Fields for Secretary; and Beverly Myers for
Treasurer. Mr. Beto asked for nominations
from the floor, and there were none.
Judge McDonald moved that the slate be approved by acclamation, and
Randy Haynes seconded the motion; the motion carried.
Mr.
Beto congratulated the newly elected officers.
He encouraged anyone interested in serving in a leadership role to speak
to the new President. He closed the
meeting by thanking the members of the Executive Committee for their
conscientious service during his term.
The
meeting adjourned at 4:00 PM, after which a reception was held in the Brazos
Valley Museum of Natural History.
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