Historical Society of Old Newbury - Annual Meeting
September 11, 2019
The meeting was called to order by co-president David Mack at 6 p.m. Mr. Mack welcomed members and guests to the Benjamin Lecture Hall at the Cushing House.
Minutes of the 2018 Annual Meeting were approved as distributed.
The Treasurer’s Report was presented by Leslie Ferlazzo. The HSON has had a good year and the annual revenue is up considerably due to a large grant for the purchase of the Shem Drowne weathercock and several bequests to the organization. The report was unanimously approved.
Susan Edwards presented the Executive Director’s Report with a power point presentation.
She reported on grant funds awarded for special projects and general operating support.
· Newburyport Community Preservation Commission - $59,439 for installation of comprehensive new electrical system for the Cushing House
· Edmund and Ruth Burke Charitable Fund - $12,000 for Youth Education and Exhibition: A Call to Arms
· Institution for Savings - $4,000 for Public Programs and Outreach
· Essex National Heritage Commission - $2000 for reinstallation of the exhibition in the Military Gallery
· Rodigrass-Weare Foundation - $18,500 General Operating Support
· H. Patterson Hale, Jr. Charitable Foundation - $12,500 for collections care and management
Conservation projects included a portrait of the Rev. John Tucker and two maritime documents funded by gifts from Alice and Thomas Gould.
New acquisitions included the 18th century gilded weathercock made by Shem Drowne, c. 1725, a portrait of Captain Caleb Cushing (brother of John Newmarch Cushing and uncle of the Honorable Caleb Cushing, and a Chippendale, mahogany desk and bookcase from Newburyport.
The museum presented 30 programs this year and had standing room only at most of them. Most were held at the museum, but a few were held at other community sites.
Two new exhibitions were opened in July. Space Light and Ornament: Early Meeting Houses of Old Newbury features the gilded weathercock. A Call to Arms: Newburyport Defends the Nation tells the stories of local men in the American Revolution and the Civil War.
In August the museum hosted a barbecue inviting its volunteer corps of over 200 people who work on myriad projects to support the organization. During the Annual Meeting, twelve volunteers were recognized for exceptional service.
The Florence Evans Bushee Foundation funded two college interns this year from Connecticut College and Wheaton College.
The museum's 40th annual Garden Tour, chaired by Sherry Evans, was the most successful ever. Eleven gardens were featured with related activities.
In August, Visionary Landscapes completed the restoration of the Laundry Yard behind the Cushing House. This was Phase 1 of a three-phase project.
New Business
The Nominating Committee Report was presented by co-president Cathy Strauss.
Lindsay Cavanagh will be retiring from the board.
Members continuing to serve are: Wanda Blanchard, Alex Burke, Sally Chandler (Corresponding Secretary), Les Ferlazzo (Treasurer), Dan Fionte, Emily Hoffman, Dave Mack (Co-President), Peg McClure, Bill Quigley, Bill Roy (Vice President), Cathy Strauss (Co-President), Nancy Thurlow, Lois Valeo (Recording Secretary), Margaret Welch, Michael Welch and Jane Wild (Past President).
Ed Ramsdell, Bob Watts and Kristen Fehlhaber were elected to one three-year term.
The report was approved by the membership.
The meeting was then adjourned, and Susan Edwards introduced Charles Griffin who gave a presentation on the Bartlet Mall and the Charles Bulfinch courthouse.
