April 1, 2008

The Spencer County Historical Society met on Tuesday, April 1, 2008 in the Rockport Library Genealogy Room.

The meeting was called to order by the President at 6:30 PM with nine members and two guests present.

The president turned the meeting over to a member of the Spencer County Lincoln Bicentennial Committee.  She presented a list of Spencer County Lincoln Bicentennial Celebration Events for 2008 and 2009.  Spencer County has been recognized by the National Committee as an important part of Abraham Lincoln’s life (1816 – 1830) was spent in Spencer County.

Spencer County is fortunate to have artist Tom Kennedy who designed a Lincoln ornament that was hung on the White House Christmas tree.  He also has a painting of Lincoln’s life hanging in the Indiana State House and the Spencer County Courthouse.

Since the main kick-off event for the national celebration had to be cancelled at Hodgenville, Kentucky in February, Spencer County will be hosting the first Lincoln celebration on Mother’s Day weekend in May.  In coordination with the Boy Scout campout at Lincoln State Park, May 9 and 10, there will be a Mother’s Day celebration on May 11, 2008 at the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial.

The minutes from the last meeting were read.

The treasurer’s report was given. 

The president had contacted the Evansville Bindery to get prices on reprinting two books.  The following books are being reprinted:  150 copies of “The Missing Chapter in the Life of Abraham Lincoln” by Bess Ehrmann and 100 copies of the “1968 Rockport-Spencer County Sesquicentennial”.

Since books have been ordered and the Society is now handling the mailing of the books, it was mentioned that now might be a good time to discuss book prices and mailing costs.  The mailing costs have increased significantly.

A motion was made and seconded to adjust book prices and postage as discussed.  The motion carried.

It was mentioned that the Society had a letter from the daughter of C. T. Baker that would allow copying his 1931 manuscript “Sandy Creek Landing Greets the Lincolns”.  So far 20 copies have been made.

The membership form which has the book prices will be reprinted showing the new rates and the addition of C. T. Baker’s manuscript.

It was mentioned that the Rockport Journal hasn’t had an article telling of the upcoming Historian of the Year Banquet.  An article was given to them over three weeks ago and the banquet will be next week.  However, there have been several articles in The Spencer County Leader. 

A member mentioned that the 1928 concrete bench at the old Rockport High School was damaged during the Rockport Elementary School renovation.  He had sent an e-mail to the Clerk of the Works.  He had also asked about the Honig mural which hung in the Rockport Elementary entrance.  The Clerk was aware of the damage to the bench but did not say anything about the mural.

Another member had also been contacted about the damage to the bench.  He had talked to a man about getting it repaired.  The alumni group has raised money for a second bench, but they are not going to have it made until the first bench is fixed. 

The discussion turned to the Historian of the Year Banquet.  Members will meet at the Community Center at 10:00 AM on Saturday, April 12, 2008 to decorate.

It was mentioned that a lady has an old Spencer County Atlas she would like to give to the Society.  The president was going to check on the book.

It was decided to not have a meeting in May.  The next meeting will be June 3, 2008 at 6:30 PM in the Genealogy Room.

A motion was made and seconded to adjourn the meeting.  The motion carried.  The meeting adjourned at 8:15 PM.