HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-08-10 Historical Commission Minutesora 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
°. Town of Reading
Meeting Minutes
..,arMNs.F�
SB will give the research she did to SC to be placed in the Archives. SC will follow up with Mr.
Ryle.
Lafayette Marker.The marker will be unveiled on August 19. Peter Maguire, who led the effort to
have the marker installed, asked whether SC, as Chair of the RHC, would like to speak at the
ceremony. SC is unavailable so SRS will speak. SC will draft a short address for SRS to use; she will
circulate it to members in advance for comments. Mr. Maguire also asked the Commission to
arrange press coverage of the event. JEB will contact the Cbmnkk and SC will contact The Readrngr.
Collaboration with Reading Public Library (RPL): SC spoke to Amy Lannon, the RPL director,
who updated her on upcoming history -related initiatives. Ms. Lannon said the library has a bronze
plaque about the history of the building they plan to install. She said library staff is working on a
statement about the indigenous inhabitants of the area on which the library stands (a "land
acknowledgement'). The two also discussed the Conservation Needs Assessment conducted by the
Northeast Document Conservation Center in 2019. Finally, Ms. Lannon said she would like to
create an inventory of Town -held historical resources, which all patties can access. SC will follow
UP.
Fall Street Faire, Arte Reading: VA will produce the display for use at the Street Faire and,
possibly, Arts Reading. SC will assist. VA has circulated a sign-up sheet for work shifts, which she
asked members to complete.
RHC Brochure: Members reviewed CKs draft of the updated brochure and made suggestions.
CK will incorporate the suggestions and circulate the edited draft to members. SC will try to set up
a Zoom call at the end of the month so the Commission can finalize the brochure; CK hopes it can
be ready for use at the Fall Street Faire. JEB said he would also like to use the call to discuss (1)
whether to include information about the Demolition Delay Bylaw in the brochure and, if so, (2)
what language aright be used. JEB will draft proposed language and circulate it before the Zoom
call.
186 Summer Avenue: No new information. SC will follow up with the Town Manager
158 Salem Street: The owners would like to add their home to the Inventory. VA has written the
"Architectural Description" portion of the required Form B, and SB will research the other
portions.
115 Eaton Street (= old number 83): The owners would like to add their home to the Inventory.
VA has written the "Architectural Description" portion of the required Form B, and SB will do the
research for the other portions.
Archives: Virginia Blodgett has offered an electronic copy of her Civil War research if the
Commission will provide a thumb drive on which she can save it.
Motioa to spend up to $50 on thumb drives for Ms. Blodgett's recent research.
SC motion; JEB second; vote 5-".
SC will follow up.
Page 12
iirar�o
Town of Reading
Meeting Minutes
Finances:
Motion to reimburse the Blodgetts for the RHC's half of the Fall Street Faire registration
fee, up to $75.
SC motion; SRS second; vote 5-0-0.
New Business: SRS found an extra hard copy of the Inventory at her home, which she gave to SC.
The RHC's three 2021 additions to the Inventory came up in the discussion. ADF noted that the
Commission never finalized the Form B on 832 Main Street because VA, JEB, and she had been
unable to determine the fust owner of the house. JEB and VA will research and revise the
document for submission to Mass Historical.
Minutes:
Motion to accept the minutes from 7.20.2022 as amended
SRS motion, JEB second; vote 5-0-0.
Next Meeting: September 14
Meetings for the rest of the year. October 12, November 9, December 14
Adjournment:
Motion: to adjourn
SC motion, SRS second; vote 5-0-0.
The meeting adjourned at 9:05 PM
Page 1 3