Meeting Dates
Oct 23 '08
Minutes for Oct 23, 2008
Present: Sue Carlson, President, Ros Strong, Vice President, Jo Cameron, Secretary; Bruce Cameron, Rebecca Townsend, Zibette Dean, guest Susie Stephenson; absent, Ruth Bryant, Treasurer; Cathy Orne, Rebecca Graham
The minutes of September 18 were received unanimously. The Treasurer reported a balance as of July 25, 2008 of $1,455.26. Since then, dues for 20 members and donations in the amount $230.00 and bank interest as of August 30 of .36 have come in. The balance as of October 23, 2008 is $1,685.62. The Treasurer's report was received unanimously. One dues/donation in the amount $20.00 was presented at this meeting.
Jo presented an article on Colonial brick-making in the Colonial Williamsburg magazine of Winter 2006. Of other possible interest, a 2005 Boothbay Register/Wiscasset Newspaper article by Paula Gibbs on the building of the Cod Cove bridge and causeway in 1924, which might prove to be an interesting research project. For instance, no one present knew which "Dodge house with large barn" it was that was commandeered by the then State Highway Department for its horses and work crew.
Website news: The "url" edgecombhistorical.org is open. To set the site up, we still need FOFE to establish its authorized signatures and to open a new checking account. There will be a meeting next week of the Fort Edgecomb Bicentennial Committee's fund-raising subcommittee, to establish budget figures for the Celebration Day.
Sue presented some information about the New Century grant program, which is focused on physical facilities and collections. The grant amounts range from $500 to $5,000. The program encourages working partnerships with other organizations. The association between EHS and FOFE would probably qualify.
Jo reported that Palmer Payne of the Boothbay Region American Legion, Post 36, has presented FEBC's invitation to a Bicentennial Grand Muster on June 13, 2009 to the members, who have greeted it with enthusiasm. Mr. Payne has given Jo addresses for other military organizations in Lincoln County.
The business meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m. Members went to Evelin Brown's home to walk down to the northern end of Salt Marsh Cove where there are remains of one-time Page's Brickyard. Pictures have been taken of the bricks and "bats," (broken bricks) which stud the tidal banks, of the freshwater stream coming down to form a channel in the Cove, the curved meadow swale, showing where the clay had been removed, and the "dead men," supporting logs which are still holding up the meadow shore bank.
Ros recommended talking to Leon Cranmer, the historic archaeologist with the State's Historic Preservation Commission, about this and similar sites all around Edgecomb. The history of the salt hay harvest was discussed as a November topic. Zibette has loaned EHS a CD of an interview Nick Dean did with Alan Brown, a former resident at this property. The meeting was adjourned around 4:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Joanna M. Cameron
Secretary