ORDER NO. 29506 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE KERR COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION Came to be heard this the 27th day of December, 2005, with a motion made by Commissioner Letz, seconded by Commissioner Williams. The Court unanimously approved by vote of 4-0-0 to: Accept the 2005 Annual Report of the Kerr County Historical Commission as presented by General Walter Schellhase. a9sb ~ ~.~ C~OMMI-~S~,ONERS' COL`RT AGENDA REQUEST MADE BY: __Walter Schellhase~~ MEETING DATE: ~27 Decert~er'OS_ SU63ECT. tPLEASF; BE SPECt€t~) OFFICE. Chairman, Kerr County Historical Commission T~ PREFERRED: _9:30 AMe Ptesettt the annutd repot of the Kerr County Hstorical Commission EXECUTIVE SESSIODI REQUESTED: (PL,EASE STATE REASON) ~~_No___„ ,___ NAME OP PERSON ADDRESSING THE COURT Walter ScheWtasc_____ ESTIMATED I,ENGTII OF PRESENTATION: _______I O Wlinutes IF PERSONNEL. MATTER -NAME OF EMPLOYEE: Time for submitting this request for Lour to assure tha[ the matter is posted in accordance with Tide 5, Chapter 551 and SST, Government Code, is as follows' Mating scheduled for Mondays: THIS REQLIEST RECEIVED BY. THIS REQUEST RECEIVED ON' 5:00 P.M. previous Tuesday. 4ll Agenda Requests will be screened by the County Judge's UfAce to determine if adequate infarmation has been prepared for the Court's forma! consideration and action at time of Court Meetings. Your cooperation will be appreciued attd corttrilxrte towards your request being addressed at the eathest opportunity. See Agenda Request 12u1es Adoption by Commissiocers' Cant. 2005 ANNUAL REPORT KERB COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION TO KERR COUNTY CONIM[SSIONERS COURT December 27, 2005 2005 Annual Report Kerr County Historical Commission By charter the Historical Commission is to report annually to the Court on the following: Menrbwskip Le®derskip Activities This report is being presented for the records of Kerr County on December 26, 2005. In addition to the required part of this report, a 2005/6 status report will update the Court on the current rtceds of the Commission and expected activities. Membership stands at 19. 13 of those are active members and 7 members in name only. The Commission meets the third Monday of each month at the Union Church Building at 11:45 AM. At the Annual General Membership mceting held in December 2004 the following individuals were elected directors for 2005: Ann Bethel Lea Bell Mike Bowlin Brenda Craig Janey Crum Sue Dyke Haskell Fine Wanda Henderson Kathryn Mrtchell Julius Neunhoffer Paul Parks William Rector Walter Schelihase Rene Sherman Clarabelle Snodgrass Lloyd Strange Mindy Wendele Lew Williams Gerald Witt In that alt officers aze elected to a two-year term there were no changes in leadership for the year 2006. However, Raye Haney resigned as Treasurer. Arm Bethel was elected to serve out the term. Therefore, the following directors will serve as officers for 2006 term: Walter Schellhase Haskell Fine Ann Bethel Lew Williams - Chairman - First Vice Chairman - Second Vice Chairman - Treasurer - Secretary Committee assignments for 2006 are as follows: Archives Markers Membership Oral History Publicity Union Church Building Mke Bowen & Paul Parks Clarabelle Snodgrass Paul Parks Arm Bethel Lew Williams Julius Neunhoffer 2005 AC'TIViTTES During this reporting period (Oct 2004 to Oct 2005) the following Texas Historical Mazkers have been processed, approved, erected or were dedicated: Hunt, Taos - TF~ Hu[tt Marker is in piece and was dedication on Aptit 6, 2005. Lions Camp -Marker has been received but not installed or dedicated. Dedication is planned for 4 Feb '06. I?ir~de ScAubl -Marker ties been approved and is pending the approval of the Seal inscription. The following Texas Historical Marker applications are being processed: La Hacienda -waiting the rtitum of the application Guthrie Bui/ding -application has been received by the THC and is on hold waiting to receive older photo which have been submitted. %srmlle Times -waiting the return of the application. Page House -waiting the return of the application. Kerr County now has 64 sites and structures that have been designated as historical and have markers on than. T}a~e are many other buildings and sites that should be so designated. However, to have a Texas Historical Marker placed on a site or structure requires an enormous amount oftime to do the research, collect photos, and document the apphcation. In addition, the owner must pay the cost of the marker, which runs about $1,200 to $1,500. Union Church Budding Project Some work has continued on the Union Church Building since it was completed and dedicated back ut 2002. The keys were turned over to the County during the dedication ceremony and have since been managing the rental and maintenance of the building. The Commission has made some improvements during the past year. I) the speaker system has been installed and a complete CD playing system is nearing completion, 2) a canopy ova the north door has been built to prevent heavy rain water from bowing in around the exterior door, 3) the name sign has been installed over the entrance, 4) a master landscaping & parking plan is in the process of being developed, and 5) the Commiec~nn has been fortunate enough to locate and purchase the part of the iron fence from the origins[ Kerr County Courthouse. l.audscaping & Parking Pfau for Uuion Church Baildiag The Commissions is working to develop a master landscaping and parking plan for the UCB campus. Part of the uon fence from the original courthouse has been Located and purchased (although not e>:vy paid for) by the Commission. The plan is to work this fence lino the master-landscaping plain. The Commission is looking to the Friemis of the Kerr County Istorcal Commission to ruse the money to pay for this project which will include: a) an entrance gate to match other Schreiner gates, b} curbing, c) fence, d) parking, e) some paving, f) walks, and g) plants, There aze also plans to provide space for a memorial tree azea. When the plan is Snislred it will be submitted to Schreiner University for their approval. With Schreiner's approval it wiS be presented to Glen Holekamp to review in order for the Cormnission to determine the additional maintenance cost and approval. The plan will then be presented to the Commissioners' Court for review, input and final approval. This building is a great asset to the community. With an auditorium type seating of 110 and a workshop seating of 40-60, this structure is being used for meetings, weddings, and other community celebrations. Although the building is not being used as much as the Commission envisioned, it is being used and has provided that needed extra meeting place for the commuoity. Sesquicentennial Celebration The Chamber of Commerce has taken on the task of heading up the planning for the 150s' anniversary of the founding of Kerr County witch will be April 7-9, 2006. The Commission has agreed to participate in this celebration by conducting several activities. All of the activities developed by the Commission will be held on the campus of the Union Church Building. The activities under consideration at this time are: a) a napping display, b) a pictorial display of Kerr County History inside the building, c) a bob wire making machine display, d) some musical performances, e) cypress shingle making activity, f) several other educational activities coordinated with the school system. Collectors Plate As part of the fund raising for the Union Church Building, the Commission had 1 SO numbered commemorative collectors plates designed and manufactured. Each plate has a picture of the Union Church Building, as restored, swrounded by a picture of the original fora rdturches that occupied the building. On tbe back of tbe plate is a short description of tbe history of the Building. These plates were offered for sale at the dedication cerantotry on Christmas Eve 2002. The plate's sell for $35.00 each. The sale of these plates will continue during the 2006 calendar year and during the Sesquicentennial Celebration. GPS Laeat'ron of Marken The GPS location and pictures of all markers in the wanly has been complete thanks to the work of John and Rosa Lavender. This project was started in 2003. Included in this report to the Court is a master copy of this dowment. Copies have been forwarded to tbe Texas Historical Commission, the library and tbe Coamtission's archives. GPS Location of County Cemeteries This is an on going project by the Commission and is sponsored by The Terms Historical Commission Several years ago Gerald Witt, a member of the Commission, prepazed a wumy map showing all the wmtnemazies in the wurtty. Jolm & Rosa Lavender have volunteered to establish the GPS location of these cemeteries. This is an on going project. Orel History There are now about 50 completed oral histories in the library. There are still well over 90 individuals that need to be interviewed and oral histories wmpiled. However, the time required to accomplish this task is enormous. Umil the Commission has tbe dedicated membership to undertake this task it will be slow going. However, it will remain an on going project. Calendar Project Dating the year it was decided to pubhsh a 2006 calendaz for the Sesquicentennial Celebration. This is a Friends fiord raising project for the Commission The theme of the calendar will be "Then & Now". They will be on sale through out the year for $10.00 each. Historical Marlter Lontioa Brochure The Mazker Brochure was updated with the location of all markers in the county in 2002. The brochure has not been up dated since that time. When the current supply is expended the Commission will provide another update before the brochure is reprinted. The majority of the 5,000 plus copies printed in 2002 were given to CVB for distribution. Additional copies were placed around town in visitor locations. Arthivea The Commission Archives Room is still located in a small room in the basement of the Courthouse. To date there are thousands of pieces of Kerr County history located in this small room. However, they are not available to the public due to the lack of severity, location aad size of the room. Maw improvements and additional space is needed in this area. Improvemems in this area were a major project during 2005 but received little attemion During the 2006 time frame, it is hoped that some improvements will be accomplished. Caurthoate Disphty Cabinet Mtke Bowfin and Paul Pazks are maintaining the display cabinets in the Courthouse. Should there be any particular subject for displays the court would like to see in the cabinets, let the Commission know These cabinets aze for your use as well as the Commissions. Budget The 2005 budget from the Commissioners' Court was S 3,500.00. These fiords were spent for the following activities: Oral History 110.92 Computer Upgrade 1,070.23 Union Church Building Project 460.00 Fence Purchase 1,298.60 Supplies 117.15 THC Meeting 29.70 GPS Mazker Booklet 45.00 Family Ranch Program 50.00 Internet Service 264.40 The 2006 budget from the Commissioners' Court is $5,000.00. These fiords have been allocated for the following activities: Archives $ 200.00 Oral History 200.00 Computer Software 200.00 Photo Project 200.00 Union Church Building 150.00 Fence Purchase (balance} 1,300.00 Supplies 200.00 Postage 100.00 Awards 100.00 GPS Marker Booklet 100.00 THC Meetings 200.00 Family Ranch Program 50.00 150` Celebration 2,000.00 Web Site The KCHC's web site has been linked to the Kerr County's web page to save the $200 to $300 dollars each yeaz in hosting cost. The site will be maintained and updated by KCHC as needed. Publicity There have been wmerous articles primed in the Daily Times over the past year on activities of the Commission and its members. The Daily Thnes has been extremely good in priming articles preserved to the paper regarding the activities of the Commission. 2006 PROJECTS Union Church Building There are several projects at the Union Church Building thm need to be addressed. These are: 1. Complete the sound system needs for the playing of DVDs, CDs, and VCRs. 2. Complete the landscaping and parking plan as noted above. 3. Obtain approval of plan referred to in #2 above. 4. Construct the landscaping and Parking Plan. 5 Take Gaze of a small soR spot in the floor that was not completely repaired in the original restoration. GPS Location of County Cemeteries This is an on going project and will continue during the 2006 calendar year. Thanks to John and Rosa Lavender much of this project has been completed. Sesquicentennial Celebration Plauuiug Participate in the Sesquicentennial Celebration as outlined above Photo Project Continue to work toward this project started several yeazs ago in conjunction with the local Camera Club. The Commission will be working with the local Camera Club to take a series of picture of current stmctures within the City to document what Kerr County 2006 is like. The plan to use this photo collection to show currem and historical pictures of the same sites and to establish a historical collection. A sample of what this collection will look like is displayed in the 2006 Historical Calendar. Much of the project work will be used for the 150th Celebration display in the UCB. Oral History The oral history projects will continue as time and funds are available. The Commission will continue to transfer completed oral histories to the library as they aze completed for maintenance and availability to the public. These oral histories are valuable items and a record of Kerr Couny history. The Commission's computer system has been up graded to facilitate this work. This project requires the purchase of wnsiderable supplies. Historical Marker Location Brochure Continue to maintain an oversight of the ex's' ~ brochure supply to assure there is enough quamity in the community to support the demand. When additional brochures are needed the Commission will update the data on the brochure and reorder. Web Site The web site will continue to be updated as required Calendar 2006 The 2006 Sesquicentennial Calendar was printed in December and will continue to be sold through out the community during this year of celebration. Membership The Covmrission stilt has a coninuing need for individual members in the Commission There are numerous projects that can be undertaken with members that are willing to actively participate. Over the past several years the Commission has had a number of individuals indicate a wiliness to be on the Commission but did not want to do any work. An active Commission needs willing workers. The Commission recommends that the Commissioners' appoin individuals from their precincts to serve on the Commission. Kerr County History Update These are three signiflcan places where Kerr County I-Hstory is recorded. The Kerr Coumy Album ~blished by the Kerr Count' I~istotical Commissioq and the books on Kerr County Flistory, K~r Coumy Texas 1856-1956 by Bob Bemtett and the book Kerr County Texas 1856-1976 by Clara Watkins. All three of these sources need to be updated. This was a project the Commission started looking at to undo take several years ago. This is still a viable project a~ remains on the Commission fist of projects. However, the cost and manpower to accompbsh this project is beyond the Commissions ability at this time, but continues to be discussed. Kerr County Historical Video and Slide Presentation Plans were initiated to develop a 20-30 minute video of Ken County History. Rosa Lavender, former reporter for the Daily Times, the Iota! TV station and the High School visual aids department, has offered assistance in this project. This is along-standing project for the Commission and will be part of the 2006 program. This project is left over from last year's initiatives and will be addressed during the wrrting year. Historical Markers The KCHC will cominue to process applications for THC Markers and seek out buildings and subjects that should be so designated. In additioq the Commission will again try to convince the THC that a subject marker is appropriate for the UCB. The first request was turned down. Archive's Future One of last year's major projects was to explore, with library staff, the possibility of using the second floor of the Kerr Regional fLstory Cemer. This project will again be a project for 2006. Although this azea is unfinished, it is heated and a'v-conditioned. At presem, all of the K~r Cotmty Fstorical archives are still stored in the small room in the basemen of the courthouse. The second floor of the KRHC would be ideal for the archives now stored in the courthouse basement. Working in the basement is very undesirable at its best and the public has no access to any of these valuable documents and items. At present, the Commission uses the small building behind the History Center. The Commission has real concern for the safety of the Oral History cassette tapes and videos that are now stored in this building along with some of the Commission's computer equipment. The 2nd floor is used for the oral history administrative work and the 1" floor is used for the oral history interviews and videotaping. Since this area flooded several years ago from frozen pipes, no repairs have been made. Having all of the Oral History, computers, and archives in the History Center would be a real opportunity to make this history available to the public and be safe. This project will be worked during 2006. Publicity There will be a continued effort to bring to the public's attention the activities of the Commission and it's members