Minutes of The Windsor-Severance Historical Society
May 20, 2024
The Windsor-Severance Historical Society met in person on Monday, May 20, at 10:00 a.m. at the Windsor History Museum Train Depot. In attendance were Kristie Melendez, Dan Meyers, Gary Martin, Kristi Martin, Marcella Johnson, Laura Browarny, Sam Sedoryk, (Education Specialist with Windsor Museum), Sue Buxman, and Judy Firestien.
Call to Order – Kristie Melendez called the meeting to order at 9:58 a.m. Monthly Reports/Approvals
March/April Minutes – The Minutes from the previous meeting on April 15th, 2024 were reviewed and approved as presented.
Treasurer’s Report – Kristie reported from the April 17th bank statement that the balance in checking was $5,911.88. The balance in savings was $14,722.76. The current balance for the CD was $20,916.40. It will renew in July.
Membership Update and Status – Kristie will be having the mailing company send out letters to current members with a return envelope. There will also be a “join us” postcard sent to contacts on the Windsor Chamber and to people who have joined previously. Kristie shared the design for the 5” x 7” postcard. Kristie also included mention of the calendar and the book in the materials. Dan would also try to get the Severance Chamber list to include with the mailing; Kristie would send an email requesting this also. Everyone was happy with the design and process.
Old Business
Farm Tour/Home School Farm Day 2024 – Sam and Katherine from the Museum will be deciding on the date for the Home School Farm Day today. It will either be September 12th or October 10th. The activity will be located at Von Trotha-Firestien Farm where there will be educational stations for the kids and they will also be transported with Windsor Parks and Recreation vans to Tigges Farm for chilis and pumpkins. Format will be more of an open house. There were ideas for activities for both September and October which were discussed as options. Attendees will bring their own lunches and there will be no charge for the day. Kristi would be willing to make more cloth bags. Marcella suggested including a free admission to the rec center in the bag and other special items and give aways in the bag. Maybe the Severance Library would want to share programming information. Kristie suggested having a WSHS banner on display to recognize the organization’s involvement. More rack cards might need to be printed for membership (and updated). There are also seed packets available that could be given out in the bags. Another idea would be to give out a tulip or daffodil bulb for fall planting. Information would need to be finalized by June in order to include it in the Town Activity Guide. Judy will check on the number of bags still left. Fabric might be provided to Kristi for her to make more bags. Windsor FFA might be invited to be involved. Dan will check with the Principal of Severance schools once we have a date. Maybe 6-8 kids could be involved to help out and possibly share or give a demonstration. Kristie will ask Kurt Hinkle to create a press release for this. Windsor Museum could create something
also. Windsor City Lifestyle is always looking for content. Dan would also get paperwork to Gary and he could ask for funds from Severance.
Facebook Login – Tammy and Sue are still having problems getting into the WSHS account. Sue, Marge, Sandy and Linda Cumpsten seem to be the names on the account. Judy will look for a password in Sandy’s things. There is still some confusion over the You Tube channels and postings; Ruth Brunner’s channel and the WSHS channel. Kailee has access to the WSHS website. Laura will try to access the You Tube channels. Kristie will send information on accessing the website to Laura. Kristie will reply to Ruth that this is being worked on.
Picture and Promo Placement – The picture and stand with the brochures would be placed at the Depot for the Summer. Membership rack cards could be placed next to the picture. It will be a great connection as visitors will see the statue outside and then can come into the Depot for more information.
Windsor News – Laura shared that the landscaping is pretty much finished at the Halfway Homestead/Jacoby Farm and they are doing a final walk through with the construction team this week. The June meeting might be held under the shade shelter. They are moving forward with the Eaton House and Dickey House rehabilitation in July with removal of asbestos and lead. It is hoped this will be complete by the end of the year or mid next year. The Halfway House restoration will be a second phase. Rehab of the Creamery is still hoped to take place in 2026 after these other buildings are completed.
Severance News – Dan mentioned there had been a groundbreaking for the police station and lots of summer events are going on. There is also a search for a new Severance Town Council member as one member had resigned.
Board Communications – Kristie mentioned she had met Rachel Kline at the Historic Preservation event. They talked about a couple of new book ideas and she is willing to help with the Images of Windsor- then and now. The Images group doesn’t offer a great royalty amount, but they do have a great source for marketing and distribution. Rachel also mentioned interest in doing a book on local women in history. Kristie is interested in this also. Rachel and Kristie hope to start working on this. Photos would be great to locate and include also. Laura mentioned the architect for downtown buildings such as the Yancy Building and Art and Heritage Center appeared as A.M. Felmley on documents. They have just found out that A.M. is a woman!
Next Meeting – The next meeting will be on June 24th. The meeting was adjourned at 10:36 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Judy Firestien, Secretary