February 10, 2014 NSCDA-CT BOARD MEETING ATTENDANCE: Judy Babcock, Ann Burton, Torrey Cooke, Mimi Dickerson, Nina Hayes, Tita Hyland, Katherine Holden, Charbra Jestin, Nancy MacColl, Pamela Mahoney,Ann Parkinson, Anne Pierson, Emily Puskar, Judy Rowley, Mary Russell, Anne Schenck, Mary Treadway, Marjorie Warren, Dorothy Venter, Muffy Barhydt, and Executive Director Charles Lyle. Not Attending: Barbie Bartlett, Joan Cresap, Tracy Everson, Becky Koladis,Nonnie Redway, Karen Stetler, and Marye Wagner January minutes were approved with the following corrections: Charbra Jestin should be listed as such and not Adams, her maiden name. Apology to Ann Burton who was at the January meeting. DIRECTOR S REPORT: Charles announced that the Museum has received a matching grant of $56,575 from the State Historic Restoration Fund for replacing the roofs on the Deane House and three privies. It will also cover the restoration and painting of the privy buildings. Charles asked the board to approve the following Certified Resolution authorizing him to sign the grant Contract on behalf of the NSCDA-CT and Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum. RESOLVED, that Charles T. Lyle, who is the Executive Director of the Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum, is empowered to execute and deliver in the name and on behalf of this corporation a certain contract with the State of Connecticut, Department of Economic and Community Development. Charles introduced a second resolution, empowering him to sign a contract for $29,500 with architect Robert Paladino for the Schematic Design for the new Education Center for the Museum. RESOLVED, that Charles T. Lyle, Executive Director of the Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum, is empowered to execute and deliver on the behalf of the NSCDA-CT and Web-Deane-Stevens Museum a contract with Robert Paladino, AIA to complete Schematic Design based upon the revised project scope of work for the new Education Center for the Museum. The work is to be completed by the end of April 2014 and includes making a presentation at the NSCDA-CT s Annual Meeting in May 2014. The fee for these services, as detailed in the Contract, is $29,500. The two resolutions were approved unanimously. The director has been working with Carolyn Griswold the past six months on updating and redesigning the Museum web site. He previewed the new site on the 55 inch TV monitor and explained that it provides a fresh new look and is formatted for i pads, notepads and other changes in computer technology since when the site was first launched in 2007. It also provides for more flexibility and staff input in updating the site in the future. Other recent projects include getting prices for structural supports and reinforcing the dance floor in the Barn, which we plan to complete this spring. He also distributed copies of the 2014 Wethersfield Town Guide & Calendar featuring an attractive photo of the garden on the cover and the rear elevation
of several of the houses on the rear. The photos were selected as the winners for a photo contest held this spring by the Wethersfield Tourism Commission. Finally, Charles shared an email he received from Mary Anne Barry Cox on January 21 regarding a Thomas Jefferson Letter dated 1812. The letter was deaccessioned by the Board and given to Ms. Cox s brother, CA Stonehill, a rate book dealer in New Haven, to sell in 1971. Her brother is now in declining health and she had been appointed conservator of his estate and wrote Charles about arranging the return of this important letter after it has been in a file for forty-three years. The letter was authenticated by Julian Boyd, editor of the Papers of Thomas Jefferson at the time. Charles showed the Board members the original letter which was returned by Ms. Cox to the Museum the week before the meeting. TREASURER S REPORT: TREASURER S REPORT February 2014 Dames: Dec. YTD Total Budget Income to date (January 31, 2014): $1,110 $57,276 $74,866 Expenses (January 31, 2014): $13,184 $30,226 $74,866 First Niagara Account balance as of 9 February 2014: $63,613.77 WDS Income to date (January 31, 2014): $27,860 $430,716 $512,336 Expenses (January 31, 2014): $23,291 $400.862 $512,336 First Niagara Account balance as of 10 January 2014: $153,619.77 She asked that budgets for 2014-2015 be given to Charles or Sally Kernan. TAGS & TREASURES Co-chair Mary Russell stated there will be four vendors at the sale- a silhouettist, two weavers, and a vendor with photography and cards. Sunday at 2:00 p.m.,bags will be priced at $3.00, Sunday, 2:00 p.m., opposed to previous pricing of $5.00. Purpose of the sale is to get rid of everything. Anne Schenck has two Long Wharf tickets and two for Morys for the auction. Mary distributed a sign-up sheet for Preview Party hors d oeuvres. Judy stated items for the sale should not be left Friday the 20 th. Nancy said the Dames have to have a fund raiser every year, and suggested a Tags and Treasures off-year fund raiser could just be vendors. Ann Burton reported the 2014-15 Nominating Committee slate is a work in progress. REGISTRAR Katherine Holden presented the following report: NSCDA IN THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT
February 2014 New Members: Legacy: Taylor, Mrs. Caroline Richards CT-2004 15 Mercury Ave, Tiberon, CA 94920-1027 415-889-5530; richardsce@hotmail.com Ancestor: Richard Borden, RI Proposer: Cheryle Richards (CT-1742) Legacy: Richards, Miss Cynthia Lee CT-2005 503-1003 Burnaby St., Vancouver, BC V6E-4R7 778-239-3466; Richards_cynthia@hotmail.com Ancestor: Richard Borden, RI Proposer: Cheryl Richards (CT-1742) Legacy: West, Martha Washburn Hopkins CT-2006 (Mrs. Robert S.) 3621 W. Fairway Dr. Coeur d Alene, ID 83815 208-765-0714; martha.hopkins@roadrunner.com Proposer: Bonnie Ward, Washington (WA-0463) Ancestor: William Clark (1656-1725), CT Captain, Trainband 1708 Reinstatement Mueller, Elizabeth (Libby) Jones CT-1740 (Mrs. Michael H.)
144 Florida Rd Ridgefield, CT 06877-6122 Tele/email: 203544-9509; libby@ejmueller.com Ancestor: Thomas Hart (1643-1726), CT Member since 1994; resigned in 2010 Please vote on the following candidate: Pearson-Bramson, Angela (Mrs. Edward J. Bramson) 155 Long Ridge Rd. Danbury, CT 06810-8463 Tele/email: 646-283-8588; ajbramson@mac.com Ancestor: Richard Warren (c.1580-1628) MA, Mayflower passenger Proposer: Lyn Sultan Seconder: Cheryle Richards Angela is a 57 year old resident of Danbury and New York City, where her husband is the Founder and CEO of Sherborne Investors Management. She is a graduate of Clark University in Worcester, MA. Her professional background is in the field of project management. She has worked for Worcester State College, Ampex Corp, First Data Corp and IUSCC/DTCC. She is a member of the River Club in NY. She belongs to the DAR in New Canaan, where she met Lyn Sultan and Cheryle Richards and is also a member of the Mayflower Society. She is about to become the Regent (President) of the DAR in New Canaan. Membership January 2014 316 New Members +3 Reinstatement +1 Membership February 2014 320 ASSOCIATE STATES REGISTRAR Ann Parkinson s report: CT2805A Ms. Sarah Catharine McMillan 201 86 th Street, Apt. 20A
New York, NY 10028 8 th in descent from Jonathan Ingersoll As previously scheduled, Susan Clemow was invited to discuss with the Board the following subject 501c3. She began her presentation by referring to the book Embrace the Fear and reminded the Board not to lose sight of the need for more Museum space. Nancy reminded the Board we must go forward. Susan then listed the following three options for the Museum: 1. Stay as we are 2. The Museum under the Dames 501c3 3. The Museum becomes a separate 501c3 with a Board that is appointed by the Dames There was much discussion after Susan explained very carefully each of the three options. Ann Burton summed up the discussion by stating the process should continue. It would not be businesslike to abort the process, i.e., discussion, until everyone is satisfied. Ray Casella, a lawyer in the firm of Shipman & Goodwin, will address any questions and concerns that Board members may have at the March Board meeting. HISTORICAL ACTIVITIES CHAIR Mary Treadway briefly described the book Liberty s Exiles about American Loyalists in the Revolutionary War. She will buy the book for the Museum library. PROGRAM COMMITTEE CHAIR Tita Hyland spoke about the Dames event, March 5 th at the New Britain Museum of American Art. Director Douglas Hyland will give a tour, Director s Choices, followed by lunch and time to explore on one s own. Tita would like to plan a visit to private homes in Wethersfield in the spring. SOCIAL CHAIR Mary Russell would like to start a calling campaign that would hopefully entice new members to become active. A new members orientation is scheduled for Wednesday, April 2. The meeting was adjourned at 12:20. Muffy Barhydt Co-recording Secretary MARCH BOARD OF MANAGERS MEETING is scheduled for Monday, March 10 at 10:00 a.m. Please do not forget to Spring Forward with Daylight Savings Time this Sunday!