Des Moines Historical Society

DMHS Minutes 10/25/09

10/25/09 Minutes

DES MOINES HISTORICAL SOCIETY of DES MOINES, IOWA MINUTES
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2009 AT THE GREMLER MANSION

The meeting was called to order by the chair Pat Meiners at 3:00 p.m. at the ‘Gremler Mansion’ at 4140 Grand Avenue. There were some questions regarding the home. The officers and board of the DMHS were introduced.

As ‘Unfinished Business’ Pat related she had received an apology from the City of Des Moines for overlooking our reservation and not getting the Des Moines Birthplace Cabin opened for us on September 27, 2009 until 30 minutes before we were to have the meeting finished. David Coates, Chairman of the Promotion and Publicity Committee announced the committee would meet today after the membership meeting and anyone is welcome to participate. Pat also mentioned that a Program Committee would be formed and she is asking for names of those that would like to be on that committee.

Pat is going to contact the city regarding celebrating the Centennial of the Municipal Building (City Hall). She will also ask about how we might participate in naming the new Southeast Connector Bridge near the birthplace cabin. A motion was made, seconded and passed that we vote for a name to submit to the city. Suggestions for naming the bridge were: the WWII Tuskegee Airman that recently died, Bill Bryson, Sec Taylor Bridge, and The Pointe. A motion was made that we rescind the previous motion and further discuss naming the bridge in January. We further discussed the city hall centennial. It was pointed out that the display on the 2nd Floor of the building had not been updated since 1993 and it would be a good spot to put an historical marker regarding both the building and a brief history of the city.

We are starting to work on getting the 501(c)3 designation so all of the libraries would be available for our meetings and we would be able to apply for grants then. We do have a federal identification number. Today we have $540 in the bank and it costs about $500 to apply so we want to have $1,000 in the bank before applying. We are able to take donations, but they are not deductible. We had 62 members before this meeting today, and with those joining today we have about 70. At the last meeting we had over 50. Pat expressed her goal to have 100 by January and her hope that everyone will help as much as they can to enroll members. If we can represent at least 100 members we should have more clout. We will continue to distribute flyers wherever possible, and they should especially be distributed and in windows of businesses when there are special events in a neighborhood. The membership form is on the website: www.neighborhoodlink.com/org/dmhs. A PayPal account may be used in the future.

Earlier in the meeting, we had missed approving the minutes. Natasha Moore mentioned a change to the minutes regarding the meeting attended in Muscatine on September 17. She suggested adding the words ‘how to preserve’ between the words ‘about’ and ‘historic properties’ in the second paragraph. A motion was made, seconded and accepted to approve the minutes of the September 27 meeting with the change.

There was further discussion about the centennial of city hall. The cornerstone was laid June 16, 1910 and there was a parade and a large celebration. With the spotlight often on the city with the caucuses, World Food Prize, etc., it may be possible to focus some attention on the city with news crews reporting from the city hall rather than the Capitol as is usually done. There have been changes recently that took away from the city, for instance the Iowa Events Center and sports teams using the name Iowa. The police force now has the Capitol on their crest. That is a long story, even from when Des Moines became the capital city.

At the September meeting there were problems noticed with the cabin. They apparently happened because the replacement logs used in 2005 were new and gaps developed after they dried and shrank. Bob Hagins is meeting with the city Tuesday about the cabin repairs needed, and today he presented the DMHS with his watercolor drawing of the original cabin. The site of the cabin is archaeologically significant and should be eligible for the National Register of Historic Sites. We would welcome help to pursue obtaining that designation.

There was discussion about donating today so we would have the money to apply for the 501(c)3 sooner. A logo contest will be created and public suggestions will be taken early next year. Prizes such as gift certificates and items from our business members, along with some payment could be given to the contest winner. One neighborhood association has offered $700 as a prize, but that seems more than is needed. An entry fee could be asked from the artists and that could be the prize money. We could offer what we can, but part of the prize is being able to state on a resum?© that we chose their design.

Because the next meeting is the ‘Annual Meeting’ it will probably be a dinner at a location of some historical significance to Des Moines such a Noah’s Ark, Hotel Fort Des Moines or Savery, Spaghetti Works, or the Grand Piano. Plated dinner meals are less expensive and we would like to keep the price down. A policy for ‘Collections’ will be written in the future. Pat is scheduled to present a talk about Christmas in Des Moines at a senior community and would like any information you may have. Members may attend the talk. Only quarterly meetings of the DMHS are required, but there will be other ‘extra’ meetings, talks and workshops also. If others have any topics they would like to present to a group please let her know. These are a way to promote the DMHS. Some of these would workshops regarding how to research and what is available at the Des Moines, State and Genealogical libraries. The quarterly meetings will be in January, April, July and October.

Before adjourning Mike Coltrain very graciously offered to match any donations given today up to $100. The meeting adjourned at 3:40 p.m. and was followed by the telling of some ghost tales of Des Moines.

Respectfully submitted



Richard Meiners, Secretary
Des Moines Historical Society
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AGENDA – SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 2010 – Spaghetti Works
Welcome - Purpose of meeting / Introductions
Approve Minutes from last meeting
Unfinished Business
Officer Reports
Promotion/Publicity Committee
Program Committee
Naming of new SE Connector Bridge
FEIN / 501 (c) 3
2010 Centennial of City Hall
Cabin Repairs / Nat’l. Reg. Historic Site
Logo / Contest
Membership – 100 by January
New Business
Open Forum and Announcements
April meeting
Adjournment
Presentation about Court Avenue