Des Moines Historical Society

4/27/10 minutes

DES MOINES HISTORICAL SOCIETY of DES MOINES, IOWA

MINUTES

TUESDAY, APRIL 27, 2010 AT THE SOUTH SIDE LIBRARY

 

The meeting was called to order, after a program about the South Side, by the chair Pat Meiners at 7:10 p.m. at the South Side Library at 1111 Porter Av. in Des Moines.  The officers and board of the DMHS were introduced.  The minutes of the last meeting were approved.   The Treasurers report was accepted and the officers, board members and committee chairs gave short reports. 

 

Pat has been meeting every Tuesday with city employees regarding the celebration regarding the Centennial of the laying of the cornerstone at the Municipal Building (City Hall).  She is working on getting some Model T’s and a horse and wagon and other vehicles from the 1910 time period.  The ceremony will be June 14, starting about 3:55, because the City Council meeting begins at 4:30 p.m. and Fred Weitz wants to be there.  The Weitz family and the Weitz Corporation are funding the celebration.  Pat is making a dress and hat from the time period and has found a supplier for paper and celluloid collars for the men.  A booklet or brochure has been talked about, and will probably be part of the building opening celebration in January of 2012.  The booklet will also help fund activities.  The cost to remove the cornerstone “coffin” is about $4,000.  We know what was included in the coffin, but of course, don’t know the condition after 100 years.  The State Historical Society will be contacted to help with the opening and preservation aspects. 

 

The cornerstone was laid at a Masonic Ceremonies and there are symbolic meanings to various parts of the ceremony.  Even the corn, oil and wine had special significance.  The city wants to be involved for good publicity for the city and for all of the other activities along the Principal River Walk such as the World Food Prize, the new pedestrian bridge, the Long View Garden from Pioneer, etc.  If possible, we will use some Des Moines area business products in the ceremony.  This event will recognize the history and accomplishments of Des Moines and how the ‘Des Moines Plan’ was used throughout the country.  There will be a new ‘time capsule’ made and the citizens will be able to offer suggestions as to what should be included in it.  There will be costumed re-enactors to represent the 1910 City Council, the ‘Music Under the Stars’ band will represent the T. Fred Henry Band, and Pat will represent the suffragette Mary Jane Coggeshall because she sued for the right to vote on the bond issue about the Municipal Building.  It was suggested that a complete set of coins and stamps and maps be put in the time capsule.  The contents will be displayed on June 14, but it is not sure when the coffin will be opened or when the new one will be replaced, and if it will be put back in the cornerstone. 

 

A rough draft of rules has been prepared for the Logo Contest and we plan to announce it at the July 27 meeting.  We have reviewed other contests for ideas. 

 

Jacob Shoemaker participated as a judge yesterday in the Iowa portion of the National History Day contest at the Iowa State Historical Society.  He reviewed and critiqued several papers written by students that had been given to him two weeks in advance.  There are other categories of involvement for the students also, such as performance, exhibits, and documentaries.  Each participant has three judges.  He enjoyed helping.  They do need judges and would welcome more of our volunteers next year. 

 

There was discussion regarding the DMHS will be part of the Festival of Trees and Lights this year and would like volunteers who are good at decorating.  We have already obtained some decorations, based upon a Victorian Christmas theme.  We would like to include several ornaments that are particular to Des Moines, such as ten or twelve with photos of public city buildings.  All ideas about how we might be able to accomplish this are welcome.  The tree can be a good way to promote the DMHS.  Volunteers may receive some of the tickets made available to the groups that decorate the trees.  We are not able to put our name on the tree, but can have promotional materials nearby.  We would like to win the ‘Peoples Choice’ award.  Please let us know if you have photos that could be reproduced for ornaments.  No perishables or edibles may be put on the tree, such as popcorn or cranberries.  We can experiment with decoupaged photos.  Ornaments must be glued or wired on, except for the top.  A motion was made, seconded and approved that the DMHS decorate a tree for the Festival of Trees.

 

Sarah Oltrogge is working with Mark Heggen on a film regarding past cinemas of Des Moines.  They are looking for photos, in particular from more recent times, such as the 1960s-80s.  A drawing was held for door prizes of books donated by Brian Browning and Pat Meiners.  The next meeting will be July 27 at the Birdland Lagoon shelter, with a program topic of ‘Entertainment in Des Moines.’  The meeting adjourned at 7:58 p.m. 

 

Respectfully submitted

 

 

 

Richard Meiners, Secretary
Des Moines Historical Society

 

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AGENDA – TUESDAY, JULY 27, 2010 – Union Park/Heritage Carousel

THE PROGRAM WILL PRECEDE THE MEETING AT 6:00, THE MEETING BEGINS ABOUT 7:00. 

Welcome - Purpose of meeting / Introductions

Approve Minutes from last meeting

Unfinished Business

                Officer Reports

                Promotion/Publicity Committee – all members should promote the DMHS and “spread the word”

                Program Committee – January, April, July & October – DM in Civil War sometime next year

                Naming of new SE Connector Bridge – put your suggestion on the form to be sent to city

                FEIN / 501 (c) 3

                2010 Centennial of City Hall

                Logo Contest

                Membership – 125 today

                Festival of Trees volunteers, donated items for tree package, i.e. books, gift certificates, tours, artwork, written histories, write a history or buyer’s home, etc. 

                Suggestions for items to be put in Time Capsule

New Business

                Will form a nominating Committee in October for January elections – all offices will be open

                Newsletter volunteers

Open Forum and Announcements

                October 28 meeting at the Iowa Genealogical Society about the East Village, by Sarah Oltrogge.

Adjournment