Historical Commission Meeting Minutes - April 20, 2022

Historical Commission Member Attendees: (5– Quorum)

• Lorraine Tindaro – Vice Chair
• Mark Evans – Secretary
• Dawn Coughlan

• Cathy Callaghan
• Leah Jennings

Historical Commission Members Absent (3):

• Paul Stephens – Chair (Excused)
• Patti DeFroscia (Excused)
• Tom Parr (Excused)

Historical Commission Guests (1):

• Mike Bedrick

OPENING:
The meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Tindaro at 7:10 PM, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Technical difficulties prevented the meeting from being recorded.
Secretary Evans continued with Member Roll Call and introduction of guests.
Vice Chair Tindaro asked if there were any comments/corrections on the minutes of the February 16, 2022 meeting. There were none.
Vice Chair Tindaro asked for a motion to approve the minutes of the February Meeting
Moved by Dawn C
Second by Mark E
Vote called by Lorraine T
Motion passed 5-0
 
 
OLD BUSINESS:

1. SUB COMMITTEE REPORTS
   1. HISTORIC PRESERVATION ORDINANCE
      1. Mark E reported that the Proposed Ordinance and Hx Resources list have been distributed to all members of the Zoning Update Taskforce and expects there to be a meeting to review it in May.
      2. Mark said he received a 2nd Caln resource list/atlas from the County that includes approx. 900 resources in Caln. Our list only has 65 resources. Mark will send the County document around to the Hx Com members for review. 
      3. Mark also said it was suggested that the Hx Com reach out to the owners of historic resources to gauge their interest/concerns about being included on the list
         1. Dawn C shared that many people did not accept the OCHS offers to put a marker on their property. Major misconception is that they think it’s the same as being on the National Register 
         2. Mark said one point to get across is that their properties are already considered to be of Historic value by the County. All the Ordinance does is add protections against developers infringing on the integrity of their properties.
         3. The group discussed various scenarios
         4. Mike B suggested that we interview all of the property owners that would be affected. Cathy C agreed. Mark E noted that it could mean scheduling as many as 900 interviews which would be a logistical nightmare.
         5. All agreed that messaging is of utmost importance.
   2. MARKETING AND SOCIAL MEDIA
      1. Lorraine T and Mike B reported that the Spackman Farm article was approved for distribution, but remains held up until we receive the Hi-Res arial photos taken by ARRO
         1. Mark E said he thinks Abbey now has them and will follow up with her.
         2. Mark E suggested that we also submit the Spackman article to CCHPN for their newsletter
      2. Dawn C mentioned that she is trying to get details on who painted the portraits of the Pimms (Richard Pimm and Mary Pimm -nee Edge) that now reside in the Schoolhouse. Mark E suggested that would also make for a great article, especially for the Township Newsletter.
   3. SPACKMAN FARM
      1. Mark E reported there were no updates to report on Spackman Farm.
   4. EDGES MILL HISTORIC DISTRICT
      1. Cathy C reported that she spoke with April France and Elizabeth Rairley over the last 2 weeks, and they will use the existing paperwork on her house, send her specific questions regarding the other properties and put it all together. They told her that they believe they can get it done.  

 
 
NEW BUSINESS:

1. There was no new business on the agenda

 
BUSINESS: 

1. CCHPO Membership
   1. Mark E will follow up to make sure our membership has been renewed. Mark and Dawn reminded the group that we have a budget for 2022 of $1200. Of that $350 have been spent for PA SHARE leaving $850 available.
2. Mark brought up the planned demolition of the condemned house on the golf course. He will let us know once the additional asbestos removal is complete. He also confirmed that the Barn will not be demoed.
3. Mark suggested we revisit Lloyd Farm. He started an application for PA at Risk but ran out of time. In the process he received permission from Downingtown Historical Society and Abandoned Steve to use any of their images of Lloyd Farm in the preservation efforts. He is now working on a complete history and has found inconsistencies between various existing histories. He has not found any evidence that it was part of the Underground Railroad.
   1. Mike B said he will reach out to the NAACP to see if they have any documentation on Lloyd Farm.
   2. Cathy C said it’s hard to believe it wasn’t part of the UR, as many properties were. Hopes we find something.
   3. Leah asked if there were any updates on the developer or the house. Cathy C added that the house was magnificent. Mark said that there were no developer actions, and with the rerouting of Lloyd Ave thought the north end of the Farm he doubts there will be enough land left for the developer to make it worth the investment. Cathy C added that could help to preserve it. Mark said they ripped out the door and the mantels and banisters and he heard they were donated to the CCHS. Dawn C will reach out to CCHS to see if they have them.
4. Mark said the Orangery at Glen Isle was definitely part of the UR. The group discussed Glen Isle and its former life as the Ship Inn. Mark suggested that they all pick a date late summer to have dinner at the Orangery.
5. Dawn brought up the Schoolhouse Tours and suggested the dates be scheduled to coincide with the Log Cabin and Meetinghouse Tour dates: May 15, June 5, July 3, August 7, September 4, and October 2. Mark apologized for sending incorrect days around. 
   1. The group agreed those dates make the most sense.
   2. An email will be circulated with the correct dates.
   3. Mike B suggested we ask the Township to correct the dates on the website
   4. Cathy C and Leah J will host the tour on May 15th.
6. Leah J suggested we look into the status of the Bee Hive House as it is threatened by planned the Christian Fellowship building.

 
 
ADJOURNMENT
Vice Chair Tindaro asked for a motion to adjourn
Moved by Mark E
Second by Cathy C
Vote called by Lorraine T
Motion passed 5-0
 
Meeting was adjourned at 8:00 PM