Museum newsletter

HILLTOP ECHOES

Volume VI, Number 3 ………….……………….………………..……………Summer 2009

Newsletter of the Friends of the Museum and the Museum Auxiliary of the Caldwell Heritage Museum, Inc., 112 Vaiden Street, Lenoir, NC 28645

In this newsletter:
Four Fifths in 2009 | Board of Directors members and activities | Main floor displays
Volunteers & contributors | Museum attendance | From the Museum Director

Open House for Bethel Colony

Open House for the residents of Bethel Colony of Mercy will be held at the Museum on July 25, 2009, beginning at 4 p.m. The residents will tour the Museum followed by a cookout. Bethel Colony has provided and continues to provide many services for the Museum, and this is a way to show appreciation for their support. Those wishing to contribute food, finances or service for this event may call the Museum. The Open House is hosted by the Board of Directors and is one of the most rewarding and most appreciated events of the year.

Book Discussion

On Monday, September 14, 2009, the Caldwell Heritage Museum and the Brigadier General J.J. Pettigrew Camp 1401, Sons of Confederate Veterans, will host author Clint Johnson, who will moderate a discussion of his book Persuit: the Chase, Capture, Persecution, and Surprising Release of Confederate President Jefferson Davis. Seating is limited to the first thirty persons who call the Museum at (828) 758-4004 to make a reservation.

FOUR FIFTHS in 2009: Open each fifth Sunday from 3-5 p.m.

August 30, 2009:

Open house for the Baseball Memorabilia Display

Special Guests: Former Lenoir Baseball Players

Dr. David G. Moore, Associate Professor of Anthropology, Warren-Wilson College,
and Supervisor of the Burke County Joara/Fort San Juan Dig
will be available during the Open House for discussing the Museum's arrowhead collection

Calendars for 2010 and Christmas Cards will be available

November 29, 2009: Shop ‘Til You Drop

Special Discounts Interesting Items Christmas music by Mike Willis A Visit with Santa

Hot Cider and Cookies

The “Four Fifths in 2009” will replace the annual Open House usually held on the second Sunday in September of each year.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: At least three to five volunteers who will greet visitors and work in the gift shop are needed for each of the Four Fifths Sundays. Also volunteers who will furnish simple refreshments would be helpful. Contact the Museum to volunteer.

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Below: pictures from the Living History Re-enactment of Stoneman’s Raid in Lenoir on April 25, 2009. The Museum was one of the sponsors of this event.
(Click on the images for larger versions.)

(Photos by Karin Borei)

Volunteer Coordinator

Anne Bartlett has accepted the position of Volunteer Coordinator. Anne's responsibilities will be to recruit volunteers who want to serve on a regular basis or those who are willing to serve when needed. She will also assist with the training of volunteers and she will work with RSVP. Those who have an interest in volunteering can contact the Museum and the information will be passed on to the Volunteers Coordinator.

Museum Attendance

Museum attendance for the second quarter of 2009 showed an increase over the first quarter: April, 380; May, 308; and June, 334. The total attendance for the quarter was 1,022, an average of 341 per month. The year-to-date total attendance was 1,729, an average of 288 per month. Groups that visited: AFS Club of Sonoma CA; Heritage Museum Board of Directors; Historical Society Executive Committee; Volunteers; South Caldwell High School Juniors; Facilities Committee; Finance Committee; Second Fifth Sunday; Display Committee; Granite Falls History Committee; Davenport School Third Grade; Kings Creek and Oak Hill CIS (Communities In Schools).

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Board Highlights

The Caldwell Heritage Museum Board of Directors met April 16, 2009 at 4 p.m. at the Museum. The minutes, financial report, and the Museum Director's reports were all approved. The list of ideas from the Board's "working lunches" was distributed, and Chairman Booth appointed committees (Programming, Facilities, Displays, Staffing/Volunteers, Finance, Publicity). He urged the committees to make both long-range and short-term suggestions. Other items were discussed and appropriate action taken. The minutes of the meeting are a matter of public record.

Board of Directors Nominees

The terms of the following Board members will expire on December 31, 2009: Bob Booth, Dale Hamby, and Ann Miller. Both Hamby and Miller are ineligible for re-election due to terms limits. According to the Board's Bylaws, Board nominees must be presented to the Historical Society not less than fifteen days prior to their annual meeting in November when action will be taken. Suggestions for Board nominees may be given to Dale Hamby, Ann Miller, or Ed Whitener, members of the Heritage Museum Board Nominating Committee.

Expression of Gratitude

... to Ray Church, Myra Dickson, David Hinson, and Dustin Turnmyre for preparing the Spring Hilltop Echoes for mailing ... to Lib Barnette for furnishing lunch for the Museum staff on several occasions and for providing refreshments for the second "Four Fifths"... to Bob Booth for providing Quiznos subs for the Board's "working lunches" ... to Kevin LeFevers for the baseball memorabilia currently on display.

(Click on the images below for larger versions.)

Baseball display (above); exterior painting (right)

From the Museum Director………………………………………...….John O. Hawkins

Things are happening! And more things will happen!

During the first quarter of this year it was most obvious that the restrooms were being renovated. Starcross Builders did a great job, and we enjoyed getting to know their employees. The four-week inconvenience has been offset by the improvement and the attractiveness that we now enjoy. (See the Spring Newsletter for more on this.)

As we were beginning those renovations, something happened that we would like to have avoided. Former Board Member and two-time Chairperson, Steve Jaynes, became ill. Steve's tenure as Board member was completed on December 31, 2008; but he was an ad hoc Board member chairing the renovation project. When Steve entered the hospital in February, we did not know that he would be leaving us without seeing even the beginning of the project. His death in May created a void that will not easily be filled. The large number of people at the funeral home and at his funeral was a testimony to the multitude of lives he touched in his occupation and through his many varied interests.

Steve would be pleased with the direction the Board is taking. Bob Booth, our current chairperson, has appointed several committees, each made up of at least four Board members, who are responsible for specific tasks. They are using the Museum Assessment Program suggestions, some that can be implemented immediately and some that will be long range projects. The committees are rolling up their sleeves and beginning to work.

The Facilities Committee recommended painting the outside trim on the Museum before the wood deteriorates further. The painting contract went to Ronald Dabner, and the work was finished by the July 4th weekend. Also, a side door needed to be replaced (for better handicapped access); and the Museum has now purchased the door and the Davenport school maintenance department has installed it.

The Board has also sought advice from two people. Sidney Halma, retired director of the Catawba Historical Association, met with the entire Board on June 4. We discussed financial options, museum operation, and other key elements that go along with the operation. Barbara Freiman, a member of the Friends of the Museum, met with the Finance Committee on June 15 and offered some tips on grant writing and fund raising. We are grateful to these two people for sharing their expertise.

Ann Bartlett is our Volunteer Coordinator. She will be recruiting volunteers, training them, and helping find things for them to do. We are a warm friendly group. Save her the effort of recruiting you by volunteering. (More details on the Museum's volunteers program.)

In the immediate future, we will be having our annual Bethel Colony Open house on July 25. We have two more " Fifth Sunday Open Houses" scheduled this year. They have been successful, and will probably continue in 2010. A book discussion will be held in September. You are welcome to participate in any or all of these things.

We are usually closed on July 4, but this year we are open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., participating in the Lenoir Cruise-In. Make us part of your Independence Day activities.

Those who do not think anything is happening need to get involved in the Museum. You will change your mind quickly!

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MAIN FLOOR DISPLAYS

July-September 2009 – Baseball Memorabilia. Kevin LeFever Collection

October 2009 – Four- H Club Memorabilia

November-December 2009 – Christmas Display.

Currently scheduling displays for 2010. Contact Charles Triplett at the Museum with suggestions.

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Winter holiday hours (Exceptions to the regular schedule)

Wednesday, November 25, 2009: 10 a.m. 3:00 p.m.
Thursday, November 26, 2009, Thanksgiving Day: Closed
Sunday, November 29, 2009, Fifth Sunday Open House: 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Thursday, December 24, 2009: 10 a.m. 3:00 p.m.
Friday December 25, 2009, Christmas Day: Closed
Friday January 1, 2010, New Year's Day: Closed