Historical Commission Meeting Minutes - March 19, 2025

Historical Commission Meeting Minutes
March 19, 2025 @ 7pm
A hybrid meeting was held both via Zoom and in person at the Township building.
Call to Order – Meeting was called to order at 7:02 PM
Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call of Members:
Commission Members Present: Patty DeFroscia, Donna DiPrinzio, Mark Evans, Lorraine Tindaro, Jamie Evans, Cathy Callahan, Leah Jennings
Commission Members Absent: Tom Parr
Staff Members Present: Abbey Swan
Professionals Present: NA
Guests Present: Mike Bedrick
The Historical Commission March 19, 2025 agenda was posted on the Township website and at the township building on March 18, 2025. Agendas were made available to the public at the meeting. The 2025 Historical Commission meeting schedule was published in the Daily Local News on December 18, 2024.
Public Comment – None
Approval of 2/19/2025 Minutes
Minutes were approved unanimously

1. New Business: None
2. Old Business:
   1. Lincoln Highway Historic Marker Project – Patty reported that the concrete markers cost around $500 but that OCHS is looking for a more colorful marker and will be getting costs for those.
   2.  Review Letter for Endangered Resources - Tabled
   3.  2025 Hybrid Meeting Requirements – Approved 7-0
   4.  Historic Preservation Ordinance – Historic Resources List - Tabled
   5.  Schoolhouse Tours – Patty cleaned up the schoolhouse and reported that the mothballs are helping to deter mice.
      1. Sign Up – Mark and Donna signed up for September, Leah and Cathy will do October, Jamie and Lorraine will do July. We still need volunteers for June and August.
      2. Magnet/Merch Order – The group selected a design, made a few edits, and approved an order of 200 2x2 inch stickers ($88) and 100 5x5 inch ($189) magnets.
   6.  250th Grants – The group discussed a few different projects for which we could pursue grant funding. Recycled poly picnic tables to use at the farm at around $1400 each (in red, white, and blue) were one option. A more popular idea was to apply for a grant for a larger 2026 event. Abbey suggested that the Commission could combine efforts with the OCHS to add a picnic event onto the OCHSs potential trolley tour event. It might make a more compelling grant application. Patty planned to speak to OCHS to see if they would be interested. We need to pull together a steering committee to discuss possibilities.
   7.  Historical Commission Banner/Logo – Abbey presented a few options for fonts and colors. She will price out a banner to hang from tents at events.
   8.  2025 Event Planning
      1. Spackman Picnic – Special Event Permit Application - Mark will work to submit the application with updated map to reflect moving the event to the top of the hill instead of along the driveway. Abbey submitted an expense for approval from Krapf Bus - $2226.40 (including gratuity) for approval. Approved 7-0. Leah proposed a tea room on the front porch and pony rides and/or classic cars for the event. Mark suggested a photo op in front of the “fueling station” with an antique car and gas pump. Jamie reached out to some food trucks and has a potential lead (Bucktown Grill). The group discussed payment structure for the picnic food (free food with optional donations, pay-what-you-can, or pay a la carte). Perhaps the FOSDF would want to provide the food and benefit from the fundraising. Cathy suggested reaching out to Mabels in WC for catering.  
      2. Scanning Event - Tabled
3. Sub-Committee Reports:
   1. Membership – We need to add at least one member ASAP. Cathy has a friend who may be interested.
   2. Events – Covered above
   3. Spackman Farm – The roof and porch are complete and we’re just waiting on snow guards. On April 2nd, Park and Rec will be conducting an Invasive Removal event at the farm.
   4. Marketing And Social Media – NA
   5. Historical Preservation – On hold
   6. Caln At Risk – Justin O’Lear (Regal Builders) purchased the Brandywine Hospital and including the Taylor House/Vickers House. Mark mentioned that the township will ask them to tarp the roof of the house. Blackhorse Inn did not sell at auction due to the amount of work it requires. Mark reiterated the importance of establishing a Historic Preservation Ordinance to preserve similar buildings. Patty suggested if the Blackhorse Inn does end up being demolished, we should ask to access the house for anything that can be preserved. Mark will draft a letter to the owner, explaining the Commission’s position on preserving the property. Abbey will look for a template from a previous letter.
   7. OCHS Liaison Report – Patty pointed out the Coal Wharf exhibit in the lobby and mentioned the Barn program on April 6th. OCHS has started doing interviews for the oral history project. May 3rd will be the OCHS Flea Market. On the 4th, the mounting block will be dedicated at the Meetinghouse. Mark updated the group on the potential Meetinghouse acquisition.
   8. Finance Update – No expenditures to date – the budget is still at $20,000. PA Share was paid last year in April and Lisa Swan is looking into the billing for this year.
4. Additional Business:
   1. Cathy updated the group about research that’s being done on the Edges by Pam Riley. She’ll invite them to come down to talk to the Commission about their work.
   2. Mark would like to send a formal invitation to representatives from Calne to attend America250.

 

• 8:48 PM