The Lower Merion Historical Society

Executive Board Meeting

Thursday, September 30, 2010

The Lower Merion Academy

 

Present: Jerry Francis, Denise Francis, Ted Goldsborough, Dennis Montagna, Anna O’Hora, Steve Selinger, Max Buten, Sarah Bonnice, Joanne Murray, Bobbie McElroy.

 

Guests: Alison Graham, Phil Eidelson

 

Excused: Andy Amsterdam, Bruce Reed, Ross Mitchell, Leon Levine, Jack Hagner

 

Jerry Francis called the meeting to order at 7:34 PM.  Ted Goldsborough led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

 

The Minutes of the June 24, 2010 meeting were unanimously approved.

 

Reports:

Cynwyd Train Station Stabilization (Phase 1): The final walk thru by the Township Building Inspector has been done.  A phone jack still has to be installed that will connect the fire and security systems to the Township’s Central Station. When this connection is completed, we will be issued our “Certificate of Occupancy” and Phase 1 of the project will be completed.

 

Cynwyd Train Station Caretaker (Phase 2): We have a signed lease agreement with Doug Bagley and he has given us a security deposit and the first month’s rent.  Effective October 1^st, Doug will be moved into the 2^nd floor apartment.

 

Cynwyd Train Station Office Area (Phase 2): Should be rented by late summer or early fall of next year. In the meantime, the Society will set up a display of artifacts found in the rebuilding as a visual aide for our Capital Campaign.

 

PennDOT Grant: A 2011 project will pay for landscaping and ADA work around the Cynwyd Train Station.

 

Cynwyd Heritage Trail: Advertisement for bids for the construction of the trail appeared in the September 23^rd  issue of the Mail Line Times.

 

Preserve America Grant: The Township has accepted the 50-50 matching funds award for approximately 30 informational signs and website that will tell the heritage of the trail. The Historical Society will provide the text, the images and will have the Society’s logo on each sign.

 

 

 

 

 

Capital Campaign:

Vertical Response: Joanne Murray reported that our database now has 635 names in the system. There are 283 email addresses and 85 with no email addresses. So far this project has become a solid venture. An effort to secure more email addresses will be the next project.

 

April 2011 Annual Meeting/Banquet: Still in the planning stages and will be an open house and hopefully a major fundraiser.

 

Direct Mail Campaign: Steve Selinger reported that the profile is set and ready to go. We still need the funding to execute this project.

 

Grant Applications: see Ross’s Report.

 

Education:

Ted Goldsborough reported that the new Lower Merion High School is looking for historical displays. Someone has agreed to pay to put a montage on one of the new walls.

 

Library:

The School District has donated some yearbooks to Ted for our Library. Thanks go to Ted for preserving the past, thru the library.

 

Website:

Rod Keller continues to work on the website and Sarah Francis continues to provide updates on the Cynwyd Heritage Trail site. Max Buten continues to add images of current and historical buildings.

 

Membership:

Denise Francis reported that she had sent out 2^nd notices for membership renewal, so far we are getting a pretty good response to this mailing.

 

Program:

Sarah Bonnice attended the Schuylkill River Heritage Area Trail Conference and reported on the program Role of Cultural Heritage Resources.

 

Public Relations/Publications:

“Lower Merion and Narberth” is part of the Postcard History Series, edited by Jerry Francis and Sarah Francis. It is a 128 page book with more than 200 historical images. The book launch at the Society will be October 24^th as a fundraiser, with all proceeds going to the Cynwyd Train Station Revitalization Project.

 

Old Business:

Ted Goldsborough reported that Ned Stumpo will do the necessary repairs to the fireplace in the attic, as his time permits.

 

Ted also reported that Bob McCormick, Max and he are carefully working their way through the thousands of negatives from the W. Robert Swartz Photo Collection to identify as many as possible.

 

Dennis Montagna reported that the #5 Mile Marker, which was damaged in an automobile accident, will be replaced near St Charles Seminary. Dennis will do the tracing and has asked West Laurel Hill Cemetery to donate a new replacement Mile Marker. He and Ted will decide on the roadside placement, which will be farther back from Lancaster Avenue than the original.

 

Treasurer’s Report:

The written report of the Lower Merion Historical Society, Statement of Financial Position, as of August 31, 2010 was presented. After discussion, the Report was unanimously approved.

 

New Business:    

Bobbie McElroy will represent the Historical Society at the new Bryn Mawr 100 Celebration.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 9:35 PM.

 

Respectively Submitted,

Bobbie McElroy, Recording Secretary

 

 

The next Executive Board Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 13, 2011

at 7:30 at the Lower Merion Academy