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Minutes: |
Minutes of May 12, 2007 meeting - Parish Hall, 10:00 AM
Members present: Lorraine Adelman, Linsay Cavanaugh, Sally Foskett, Marise Fraser, Paula Renda, and Anne White.
Marise opened the meeting by referring to minutes from the last meeting, which everyone agreed were excellent.
Archival Issues:
Reverend Hayward’s sermons
Sally and Bev photocopied ten of Rev. Hayward’s sermons, preached between 1933 and 1961, primarily in June and July of 1954 and 1956. The originals are extremely fragile. Vicki is ordering archival slips for the Committee’s photo project, and we decided to use these to preserve the original sermons as well. Each could be placed in a slip and paired with it’s photocopied partner; this way, researchers could access the originals if necessary. Photocopies eliminate transcription time, and future researchers can observe Rev. Hayward’s thought process as he rewrote sections and phrases, and only rarely need to go back to the crumbling original for clarification.
A related project at some point would be to photocopy the originals -- or, hopefully, copy the current photocopies -- onto archival copy paper.
Judith Grohe has volunteered to work with Blake Hughes and Marise in organizing and preserving the many photos that have found their way to the archives.
Paula’s research reveals that archival CDs are available for $40 for 25 blank CDs. The archival CD document is good for 300 years. Once we have our photos sorted and catalogued, they can be scanned -- as a group -- up to 500 - 600 per CD, depending on megapixels. Ritz Camera and/or a private individual would scan slides or negatives onto a CD for 75 cents each in order for John Mercer to put together a Power Point presentation later in the fall.
Ministerial portraits (photographs/paintings)
We plan to display these at the Fall Historical Sunday Service. Paula reports that most are documented (she has captured this information, including name, dates of service, and artist or photographic studio), framed, protected, and stored in our archival room.
Four or more portraits are in poor shape. Paula has researched photo repair shops and individuals and has found two good candidates for us: Ritz Camera and a private individual, both of which charge 75 cents per photo. Restoration of ministers’ portraits would be a minimum of $40. Marise will supply us with the name of a restorer of paintings whom she has used and whose work she can vouch for.
Anne believes there may be more portraits in the ministerial robing room, including one of Thomas Wentworth Higginson; Paula will check this new source.
Anne also recommended cross-checking ministerial documentation with the FRS histories, as a misattribution was caught and corrected at the time those volumes were being written.
Marise reported that at a recent Old Newbury Historical Society work session, Jay Williamson reiterated the importance of keeping original frames, to which we all concurred. At our next work meeting, Paula will display all our frames --both those with and those without contents -- and we can discuss restoration requirements. Jay will then give us information on restorers and procedures.
Historical Service
Marise feels the Committee will have to meet once or twice during the summer to keep this project moving forward.
With each meeting we further refine the purpose of the service. On 5/12 we discussed the importance of showing that UU is an evolving religion and FRS has evolved right along with it. It was observed that new people in particular assume the service and sermons have always been as they are today.
Serendipitously, the 1925 order of service includes a Samuel Longfellow hymn about Unitarianism as an evolving religion.
Our growing “To Do” List:
We discussed “labeling” pews with all the past renters, and the possibilities for confusion and/or distress that could occur over pew that had been rented to a number of families over time. Anne mentioned the attractive brass pew plaques at Old South and Old North Churches. We have the complete list of pew rentals for 1802, and we agreed that a rational solution would be to “label” pews as they were when the church was first built. Could we afford to have them in bronze, and done up and installed for the service? This needs exploration.
For historical service displays, and for our own inspiration: look for materials from 1925, especially the annual report for that year. Sally will check on Women’s Alliance and the Layman’s League programs; we should look for documentation from other church groups and organizations that existed in 1925. The public library archives will be an immense help in this, and in obtaining the annual report for 1925. Early in the summer, then, relevant portions of the annual report could be scanned and sent to committee members.
Lorraine had previously suggested contacting Bert Steeves for his thoughts, ideas, and memories regarding a 1925 service. Bert’s thoughts should also be included in Harold’s “These May Be of Help in Preparing Your Sermon” packet (other suggested contents: 1920’s sermons, minutes, news clippings, well-known people from the era, the committee’s thoughts). Marise will speak to Bert, and in addition will “sound him out” about his preferred role in the service.
Communion was discussed. The general feeling was: “No communion!” But Marise will ask Bert how it was done -- particularly the drinking the blood of Christ part. Given current knowledge of viral and bacterial transmission, no one present cared for the idea of passing a cup, no matter how beloved our community. Also, communion seems to us, today, distinctly un-Unitarian. Then again, the service is in fact a way to show how the religion (and religious practices) have changed.
In a previous meeting Bev had suggested placing an ad in the church bulletin asking for information relevant to historical church services, individuals, etc. There was discussion about putting a notice in the local papers as well.
Other historical service thoughts: shall we display photos/portraits of the forbears of third-generation or more FRS families? That would be the Bakers, Mary Haslinger, and Marise Fraser -- others? Anne Dodge?
Miscellaneous:
Bulletin board: Marise’s son has agreed to deliver the board(s), once purchased, to the church for painting and sanding. Thank you, Chris!
Marise read the notes for the annual meeting.
Maxine Steeves has a new book out, and has given a copy to our archives.
We discussed various approaches to filing so that materials are readily available to researchers. It was decided that annual reports best belong in the front of the annual files. Sally is going to compile a list of the years for which we have annual reports, noting which are in our archives and which are in the library’s archives. Anne suggested it may be time to bind a group (usually five years’ worth) of annual reports. Does Vicki do this?
New budget items:
Pew plaques
Thick folders
Next committee meeting: Thursday, June 21st, at 9 AM in the lower meeting-house.
Purpose: Discuss and organize material for the 1925 service.
The meeting was adjourned at 12 noon.
Respectfully submitted for Paula A. Renda, Secretary, Historical Committee
Sally Foskett
Minutes of January 20, 2007 meeting - Parish Hall, 10:00AM
Members present: Marise Fraser, Rochelle Perry-Platine, Paula Renda, and Anne White
Marise opened the meeting by referring to minutes from the last meeting.
Spreading Information About the History of the Church:
- Marise designed beautiful bookmarks and copied them on Ivory stock to be placed in the two-volume set and placed on visitor's table.
- Paula will discuss with John Mercer the possibility of decorating a bulletin board in the Parish Hall used to exhibit a set of photographs reproduced from the Archives. A central photograph will be exhibited asking for identification an event, individuals, or item. Rochelle will work on scanning and printing photos. Church goers will be asked to place entries in the designated contest box. A drawing from those with the correct answer will receive one of the special antique keys found in the church. Once we are ready for this to happen, we'll announce it in the Bi-Weekly and at the Sunday service.
- Until the church obtains a new copy machine to produce fine quality photos, we will not be placing an historical photograph in the newsletter.
- Lindsay has suggested we spend the next year recording the large tree outside the corner windows of the church during each season by photographing the window view through the antique rippled glass. Paula and Lorraine will work on this project, placing the photos on note cards to be sold throughout the year.
- Marise spoke with John Mercer about an idea she had for a Historical Service one Sunday in the Fall. John loved the idea. We brainstormed possible ideas: celebrate 100 years ago (1907) . . . the people, the service order, the hymns, the poetry, speech excerpts, the prayer, the chants (anyone have a copy of the little black chant book from the 40's?), photos, pew rentals, readings, and so on. Marise will speak with Harold when he returns about the idea and the sermon. At one time Ancestor Sunday occurred and was a regular event. Does anyone know how it was started or how it ran? Paula asked how we could involve the Religious Education groups. Anne mentioned that Bert Steeves gave a workshop two years ago about sermons and services of the past. The silver could be on display that day. Anne mentioned that Pat Scibbee is interested in the doctrine of the church and we could consult with her.
Archival Recordings:
- Marise and Paula will research and record patrons of the church who rented pews long ago on the newly copied charts
- Marise and Anne will determine which antique keys are not paired with furniture, doors, boxes, etc. to be used for the photo contest. This may mean visiting the Newburyport Library and/or Newburyport Historical Society to determine which items need keys.
- Paula has finished chronicling the framed portraits of former ministers of the church assessing their condition. The framed portraits have been wrapped securely as to protect them from damage. Paula and Anne will search for any missing portraits so we'll have the complete set to be displayed in the church with informational plaques identifying pertinent information. Rochelle has offered to scan a few portraits which are in poor condition and restore them on Photoshop.
- Marise and Rochelle will continue working on the identification of individuals in photographs in the archives. They may consult with Maxine Steeves and Beth Cawley if necessary.
Materials and Budget:
- Anne is to be reimbursed $20. for copying "pew seating charts" at Ziptype.
- Once the filing cabinets in the Archive Room find a home, new filing cabinets will be needed for archival filing of documents and photos.
- Is there anyone out there who has filing cabinets to donate? Contact Marise Fraser.
- Marise suggested using the existing folders we have on hand for filing to save money.
- Marise will be searching catalogues for thicker archival cardboard folders in the future.
- Marise will order gray archival boxes with slot files for those items on the bookcase.
Two-set Historical Volumes:
- Great news! Twenty two-volume sets chronicling the history of the church were sold during the holiday sale.
- We would like to thank Pat Scibbee for agreeing to sell volumes at the last Newburyport Library sale.
- Twelve beautifully wrapped two-volume sets were presented to the last group of new members of the church. Thanks to Marise and Lorraine! The welcoming card read: Welcome! Our gift to you of the 2-volume history of the First Religious Society will help you become acquainted with the journey your church has traveled from Puritan times to the present. Enjoy! The Historical Committee
- Rochelle proposed we present graduating seniors with a gift set as well and the committee was in favor of the idea. Marise will speak with John Mercer and Julie Parker-Emery, the Religious Education director, getting their thoughts on this matter.
- The price of the 2-volume set will now be sold at $35.00.
- Anne suggested we have the volumes present at Adult Education workshops, especially those pertaining to the history of the church or the Newburyport area, such as the upcoming workshop about the history of transportation in Newburyport.
Miscellaneous:
- The Leadership Council asked the members of the Historical Committee to report on how we can promote the new mission statement. Rochelle indicated that we are the ones who chronicle the historical and ongoing information for the church.
- Thank you to Anne and Lindsay for polishing the silver.
- We regret to report that Laura Roberts has resigned from the Historical Committee
- We are searching for a new member to join this exciting committee . . . looking for someone interested in the history of this church with new ideas and at least a little bit of energy!
- Marise will ask John Mercer to place an advertisement for this new member in the Bi-Weekly.
Workdates:
- Tuesday mornings, February 6th and 20th at 10AM in the Archives Room ("Ivory Tower") to sort and catalogue.
- Marise and Rochelle will meet on February 24 to sort and catalogue
Correction from last meeting's minutes - Anne, not Lorraine, mentioned the importance of an annual timeline of events to be recorded and archived.
Meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Paula A. Renda
Secretary, Historical Committee
Minutes of November 4, 2006 meeting
Members present: Anne White, Marise Fraser, Lindsay Cavanaugh, Lorraine Adelman, Paula Renda
Marise opened the meeting by reading minutes from the last meeting.
Archival Recording of Annual events:
- Lorraine mentioned the importance of an annual timeline of events to be recorded and archived.
- Storing annual reports could be a way of keeping an historical record of church events.
- Marise noted that annual reports from each committee could be used to archive each committee's goals and tasks, accompanied by a letter from Marise clarifying the information.
Sale of Historical Volumes:
- Marise motioned to have a pre-Christmas sale of 2-volume set - $25. Everyone approved.
- Marise suggested selling the volumes on eBay.
- Set up a table to sell volumes after church in Parish Hall. Paula and Anne will run a table on Dec. 10.
- Anne thought advertising on website would be important.
- Placing an advertising flyer in the Sunday bulletin would a good way to get the word out.
- Advertising in the Bi-Weekly would be a way for all members to be notified.
- Marise will find out about Newburyport Library sale and whether we can sell the volumes. Could we be present at Newburyport authors event? Should we send signed copies to libraries - West Newbury, Newbury, Amesbury, and Newburyport.
Pew Map:
- An 1890 sketch of the church's pew rentals has been located in the Newburyport Historical Society, along with hymns and such.
- Anne will make copies of pew map so Marise can record names of individuals who rented pews in that era.
Ideas for sending the message about the History of the Church:
- Place an old photograph in the Bi-Weekly with historical information.
- Paula will survey and measure former ministers' portraits to determine a space to display them.
- Offer photo contest of historical/architectural focus of the church. Display photos at a special opening night. Refreshments, fundraiser and raffle items. Paula will discuss this with John Mercer.
- Set up a bulletin board downstairs in the Parish Hall displaying interesting information about the church (surrounding an historical photograph).
- Offer a fundraising event fusing visual arts, theatre, culinary arts, and music, thematically historical. Paula will discuss this with John.
- Create and sell bookmarks - include doxology, minister's name, and sketch of church. John Mercer is skilled in creating such things.
Miscellaneous:
- Lindsay and Anne will be cleaning the cupboard which is in John Mercer's office.
- Are the candlesticks valuable? Where did they come from? Did they come from the Swasey House? Two contact people who may have information are: Chris Snow and Barbara Owen.
- Place obituaries in file folder in Archive Room.
- Lorraine will place the photos from the Newburyport Daily News of the recent performance,"Mozart Requiem" at the UU church.
- Lindsay and Anne will be cleaning the silver.
- We'll keep our eyes opened for 4-drawer file cabinets, either regular or legal. Paula knows of a second hand office supply store in Nashua, NH, if we can't find a donation.
Meeting was adjorned.
Respectfully submitted,
Paula Renda
Secretary, Historical Committee
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