Des Moines Historical Society

4/25/09 Mtg. Minutes & Agenda

4/25/09 Mtg. Minutes & Agenda

MINUTES
DES MOINES HISTORICAL SOCIETY - INAUGURAL MEETING
SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2009 - NORTHSIDE DES MOINES LIBRARY

The meeting began at 10:10 a.m. with Pat Meiners explaining why she called the meeting. Attendees introduced themselves and spoke of their ideas for a Des Moines Historical Society. Pat was the newsletter editor of the former Polk County Historical Society for about three years. She read an article from 1909 saying the DM Pioneer Club would erect a large monument and historical plaques around town - we are 100 years late.

Ralph Christian works for the state Historical Society in historic preservation, and with neighborhood histories in DM. Jack Bassford collects old photographs of DM, especially businesses. Charles Lyddon is in his neighborhood association and is tired of seeing the good older buildings in town torn down. Jerome Thompson has worked for the state historical society for 26 years and helped many local organizations to form and grow. Sarah Oltrogge has worked for the state historical society about 10 years and is the President of Historic East Village. Ted Lussem from the east side has an insurance company, he is with the Iowa Insurance Hall of Fame. Duane Pierce from the east side was in the Navy 20 years before getting into genealogy and started his own genealogical society. Rick Meiners is married to Pat and loves antiques and was surprised there was no DMHS, and Doug is their son. James Mincks worked for the Leiserowitz Co. which has been in operation over 125 years. He is a great-great nephew of the two founders of Saylorville. His great-great grandparent’s house still stands at 1123 Oak Park, and he was raised in a shanty house that was moved to build the capitol. Nancy Suby-Bohn has been interested in Riverview for many years and she has studied the area extensively.

Some had heard the Armory Building may be turned into a Polk County or Des Moines Historical Building. DM is creating a DM History and Heritage Commission in addition to the Historic Preservation Commission which only deals with buildings. The H & H Commission would deal with photos, stories, artifacts of the whole story of DM. Stories such as why the Firestone plant came and the relationship between it and the Ford Model A plant. Had there been a DM museum, the display regarding insurance history at the historical building could have been displayed more often or been a permanent public display. All of the suburbs have decided to preserve their own history and form organizations, and are very proud of their histories. The police department has a museum and has a book written about it and the fire department also has collections.

Jerome mentioned that many historical societies start due to celebrations, especially centennials. There are over 400 local historical organizations in Iowa, city, town and county. The Ames Historical Society started about 15 years ago and they are now getting to a point to choose a building and get the capital fund together. They have a website giving ‘virtual’ tours with photographs, which they were fortunate to be given by the newspaper. Nancy mentioned that items from Riverview had been held by one man, and after he died they could not be located. Items are now given to ‘Friends of Riverview’ in care of the Northside Library. There have been items from folders disappear, but they have intentions to scan the documents and only provide the scanned copies for review. Vacant store windows for small temporary displays can help raise awareness. Before getting a building, make sure there are funds to operate it, not just build it.

The next agenda item was elections. Pat Meiners put her name for nomination for Chair, there were no other nominations. Asking for nominations for Vice Chair, Charles Lyddon submitted his name and was elected. Rick Meiners was elected Secretary. Besides the prior discussions, other subjects to consider are:
Annual ‘Founders’ Day, even if small - including photo scanning and recording oral histories;
Displays at City Hall, libraries, skywalk - rotate quarterly and have neighborhood spotlights;
Newsletter - record meeting presentations, distribute to all DM libraries;
Plaques/Markers - Brick Capitol, Riverwalk, Birthplace Cabin, Baseball, Early courthouses, etc.
Naming of the new ‘Pointe’ area bridge; - Neighborhood histories book;
Recording and Transcription Equipment;
Museum - Heritage Museum Display in County Building, Plan for storage.

“When is founder’s day?” It is often considered March of 1843 when Fort DM II was made, but March of 1857 may be better; when the charter was made, both sides of the river came together and the state adopted the Constitution making DM the capital city. It could also be when the city of ‘Fort Des Moines’ began.

Perhaps the neighborhood associations would each begin their own histories. ISU has a map server with an aerial layover starting with the 1830s-1850s land survey maps and then photographs from 1930s. Perhaps a glass case in each library could be changed occasionally, but changing exhibits can be quite a job though; maybe a panel exhibit of photos and brief paragraphs would be better. The skywalk would be a good place to generate interest. The Register had the column ‘Meet Me on the Corner’ which was very interesting and a similar display would be interesting. Showing former advertising from stores that have been on a corner on the skywalk. Absolutedsm.com is a website for city employees that deals a lot with photos and discussions about giving the skywalks more personality. The group felt there is interest, but no way now to get involved.

The new bridge over the DM River, at the M. L. King extension, has not yet been named and there is still time to influence the name. The ‘Pointe’ Bridge would be appropriate because the area was historically called ‘The Pointe.’ There was a ‘Memorial Park’ there. Neighborhood associations might have residents meet and record their discussions about the city and their neighborhoods, jobs, events, etc.

Planning for a museum is a long-term goal, but is still good to begin discussing. It may have been the lack of a long-term goal that led to the end of the Polk County Historical Society. Interest waned and it became just a monthly meeting, with a presentation and newsletter. The internet can keep a presence alive. People pass away and items of interest are thrown away. There could a virtual tour on a website or trolley tours pointing out sites, a DVD or tour map might be made or a tour map or charge for downloading an MP3 file. The DM Public Library just received a grant to reformat oral histories from the 1970s.

Next on the agenda was to discuss the development and meetings of the DMHS. The next meeting is at the Franklin Library at 50th St. and Franklin Avenue on Saturday, May 16, 2009, again at 10:00; but the library does not open until 10:00, so 10:15 is more appropriate. There will be a contrast between the nice displays at the Northside Library and the dull meeting room at the Franklin Library. Further business to ponder for the next meeting includes by-laws, statement of purpose, articles, 501C3 filing status, funding, sponsors, city recognition, and projects. Before any funds can be accepted the legal status and IRS number must be obtained. Some historical societies are set up in a manner that allows neighborhood chapters to operate as part of a larger organization, even if they don’t have a 501C3 status, which is needed for donations and grants.

The meeting adjourned at 12:05 p.m..

Rick Meiners, Secretary
Des Moines Historical Society www.neighborhoodlink.com/dmhs www.neighborhoodlink.com/pchsDES MOINES HISTORICAL SOCIETY FORMATION MEETING
SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2009

AGENDA
Welcome - Purpose of meeting / Introductions
Election of Chair, Vice Chair & Secretary
Discuss Objectives and Goals
Annual ‘Founders’ Day
Scan photos / Record oral histories
City Hall / Library / Skywalk Displays - Rotate Quarterly
Neighborhood spotlights - written & photo
Neighborhood histories book
Newsletter - record presentations, distribute to libraries
Plaques / Markers
Brick Capitol / Riverwalk / Cabin / Baseball
Early Courthouses / Parks / Streets (i.e. Fleur)
Locations / Buildings / Events
Naming of ‘Pointe’ Bridge
Recording & Transcription Equipment
Museum - Heritage Museum Display in County Building
Plan for storage
Other
Discuss Development and Meetings:
Timeline / Promotion
Meetings - frequency / day & time / place / topics / tours
By-laws &Articles / 501C3 / Dues / Funding / Sponsors
City Recognition
Other