Historical Commission Meeting Minutes - March 18, 2026

• Meeting Called to Order 
• Pledge of Allegiance
• Roll Call of Members: Cathy Callahan, Patty DeFroscia, Donna Diprinzio, Mark Evans, Tom Parr, Jamie Evans, and Adam Thomas
• Introduction of Guests: Don Vymazal, Abbey Swan, George March, Anne Duzan and Lorraine Tindaro.

 

• Public Comment:
  • None

 

• Approval of January 21, 2026 Minutes – Approved

 

• New Business:

 

• Schoolhouse Tours Sign Up
  • Mr. Parr detailed the Sunday Open Houses that require coverage.
    • Chris and Tom will take May 3rd and June 7th
    • Jamie will do July 5th (one more needed)
    • Mark will do August 2nd (one more needed)
    • Donna and Mark will do September 6th 
    • October 4th – full group for final event
  • Ms. Swan will put the Historical Commission canopy in the schoolhouse
  • Mr. Parr will put out the open house signs the week before each tour.
  • Clean up will be done before the May 3rd open house.
• Schoolhouse Landscaping Presentation
  • Anne Duzan, who served as chair of the township’s EAC and vice-chair of the Parks and Rec board presented her ideas for new landscaping around the Hexagonal Schoolhouse. The project would reimagine the entire area in front of the township building, adding accessible activity spaces, a new Christmas tree, rain gardens and a wet meadow. The group discussed moving the memorial bench closer to the building and making the time capsule more prominent.
  • Mr. Vymazal mentioned some potential grant opportunities.

Ms. DiPrinzio entertained a motion to recommend Anne’s project to the Board. Mr. M Evans motioned, Mr. J Evans seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

• June 21st Schoolhouse Tours (OCHS Request)
  • Ms. DiPrinzio passed along a request from the Old Caln Historical Society that the Historical Commission open the schoolhouse for tours on June 21, the day of their historic trolley tour. Trolley tours will begin and end at the township building. Many members offered to help, assuming that clean up from the picnic will be completed previously or on Monday.

 

• Old Business:

 

• Parkesburg Meeting Debrief
  • In February members of the group met with the Parkesburg historical commission. They summarized some ideas that were exchanged.
• Partnering with Coatesville Historical Commission
  • This item was included accidentally on the agenda and will be removed in upcoming versions.
• Town Tours and Village Walks Update – June 18th
  • The Historical Commission’s Town Tour and Village Walks is scheduled for Thursday, June 18th. Mr. Evans noted that the tour will share the legacies of those who frequented the meeting house, contextualizing daily life on the grounds of this 300-year-old landmark.
• CCHPN Membership Contact Info
  • Ms. DiPrinzio will be attending a CCHPN leadership meeting on Saturday, March 29th and CCHPN has requested contact information for HC members. Ms. Swan asked members to indicate on the roster sheet their willingness to have their information shared.
• Other Business:
  • Mr. Thomas will be a presenter at the CCHPN breakfast focusing on Zoning and Historic Preservation.

 

• Sub-Committee Reports:

 

• Membership 
  • Membership holds steady at 8.
•  Events
  • Community Day is on September 12th – Ms. Swan asked the commission to brainstorm some ways to integrate America 250/Dare to Declare into their exhibit at the event.  
•  Spackman Farm 
  • Mark Slouf looked at the floors at the farmhouse and determined that the floors on the west side are no older than the early to mid-20th century.
  • He proposed a phased approach to restoring the floors. Phase one would involve taking up the floors, determining what needs to be replaced/repaired, taking out the two radiators, storing them, and putting down a strong plywood floor.
  • Phase two would be the replacement of wood and finishing the job.
  • The Friends of Spackman Davis Farm are interested in paying for at least one of the phases.
  • A joint contract with the township and the Friends of is being considered, with the Friends of responsible for payment and the township responsible for inspections.

Ms. DiPrinzio entertained a motion to support the flooring repairs. Mr. M Evans motioned, Mr. Parr seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
 

• Marketing And Social Media
  • The group discussed promotional signs for Dare to Declare and America 250. Ms. Swan will bring prices to our next meeting. The CCHPN ledger featuring our add will be in mailboxes soon.

 

• Historical Preservation 
  • Mr. M Evans noted that another Historic Preservation Ordinance meeting will take place on April 1.
  • The board of commissioners voted to approve the township's purchase of Buchanan House Ingleside Manor.
  • Mr. Thomas went through some highlights of his presentation for CCHPN.

 

• Caln At Risk 
  • No Updates

 

• OCHS Liaison Report
  • OCHS has an upcoming presentation on Women Patriots in Chester County by Robin Young on March 29th at 2 o'clock at Thorndale Firehouse.
  • They’ll be hosting a Tea party fundraiser at four different houses in the township on May 9th from 1 to 4.
  • Dr. William Watson will do a presentation on the Irish railroad on April 12th at 2 o'clock at the firehouse.

 

• Finance Update 
  • Mr. Thomas presented a finance update: Two payments were made: $206 for a Christmas tree and $600 for the Krapf coach deposit.
  • The remaining total in the fund is $19,194.
  • The group discussed planting a tree at the farm to decorate for the holidays.

 

• Additional Business:

 

• Ms. Swan outlined some other upcoming events being hosted by the Parks and Rec board.
• Mrs. Callahan pointed out some missing trees near Bondsville Mill. Mr. Vymazal will contact East Brandywine for more information.
• Mr. Evans noted that Joe Tassoni from CASH is interested in restarting a historical preservation project with students. He will attend a future meeting.

 

• Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 8:36 PM.