2022-08-10 Historical Commission Minutes

Home Browse Search

ora RECEIVED e town of Readin TOWN CLERK g REAMN , MA. Meeting Minutes r✓ x err 2E22 SEP 15 PN 3: 52 �''wzow Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Virginia Adams (VA); Jonathan Bares (JEB); Sarah Brukllacchlo (SB); Samantha Couture, Chair (SC); Amelia Devin Freedman, Secretary (ADF); Christine Keller (CK); Sharlene Reynolds Santo, Treasurer (SRS) Members - Not Present: Pino D'Orazio Others Present: Caroline Allison (CA); Peggy McIlhenny (PM) Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Amelia Devin Freedman SC called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM. She made VA a voting member for the evening. Collaboration with Reading Memorial High School (RMHS): CA, a history teacher at RMHS, summarized the recent collaboration with the RHC, in which roughly 15 junior and senior history students transcribed colonial era documents. ADF asked CA if she had thoughts about how to conduct the project in the future. CA said the workshop format that VA and CK used when they visited worked well in engaging the students. She suggested the RHC offer students a wider variety of primary, texts, in terms of theme (such as women's experiences) and historical period (such as Civil War), to better match students' individual interests; SC will investigate the various Town holdings for documents for the students to use next year. In terms of Intrust, CA suggested a longer meeting, in which students would complete the transcriptions on the spot. CA also suggested students could engage in the project to earn as service hours for the National Honor Society. CA said that RMHS administration is planning two days in the upcoming academic year that might be appropriate for the visit, because there would be no regular academics on those days. ADF mentioned that she and SC had discussed the possibility of bringing a speaker from the Massachusett tribe to RMHS. CA said that such a visit might work better as a large group event for a wide group of students. CA and ADF will coordinate. 11 Oak Street: PM, the owner, gave the Commission an update on the reconstruction of her original front porch, which was demolished recently because it was not structurally sound. After her research, she decided to use composite materials which resemble wood as much as possible, to match the visual aesthetic of her circa 1909 Dutch Colonial. VA complimented PM on her extensive research and the great raze she took in choosing building materials; JEB and SRS agreed. SC suggested PM consider ordering a house marker through the RHC's program BID Russell: The Town has responded to the request, which resident John Ryle sent to the RHC, to honor former resident Bill Russell; the Select Board issued a proclamation at their meeting this week. Page I 1 Historical Commission Date: 2022-08-10 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Conference Room Address: 16 Lowell Street Session: Open Session Purpose: General Business Version: Final Attendees: Members - Present: Virginia Adams (VA); Jonathan Bares (JEB); Sarah Brukllacchlo (SB); Samantha Couture, Chair (SC); Amelia Devin Freedman, Secretary (ADF); Christine Keller (CK); Sharlene Reynolds Santo, Treasurer (SRS) Members - Not Present: Pino D'Orazio Others Present: Caroline Allison (CA); Peggy McIlhenny (PM) Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Amelia Devin Freedman SC called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM. She made VA a voting member for the evening. Collaboration with Reading Memorial High School (RMHS): CA, a history teacher at RMHS, summarized the recent collaboration with the RHC, in which roughly 15 junior and senior history students transcribed colonial era documents. ADF asked CA if she had thoughts about how to conduct the project in the future. CA said the workshop format that VA and CK used when they visited worked well in engaging the students. She suggested the RHC offer students a wider variety of primary, texts, in terms of theme (such as women's experiences) and historical period (such as Civil War), to better match students' individual interests; SC will investigate the various Town holdings for documents for the students to use next year. In terms of Intrust, CA suggested a longer meeting, in which students would complete the transcriptions on the spot. CA also suggested students could engage in the project to earn as service hours for the National Honor Society. CA said that RMHS administration is planning two days in the upcoming academic year that might be appropriate for the visit, because there would be no regular academics on those days. ADF mentioned that she and SC had discussed the possibility of bringing a speaker from the Massachusett tribe to RMHS. CA said that such a visit might work better as a large group event for a wide group of students. CA and ADF will coordinate. 11 Oak Street: PM, the owner, gave the Commission an update on the reconstruction of her original front porch, which was demolished recently because it was not structurally sound. After her research, she decided to use composite materials which resemble wood as much as possible, to match the visual aesthetic of her circa 1909 Dutch Colonial. VA complimented PM on her extensive research and the great raze she took in choosing building materials; JEB and SRS agreed. SC suggested PM consider ordering a house marker through the RHC's program BID Russell: The Town has responded to the request, which resident John Ryle sent to the RHC, to honor former resident Bill Russell; the Select Board issued a proclamation at their meeting this week. Page I 1