EPF Grants: Fall 2007

12/05/07

Hello Everyone:

1. Grants. Fran Caraccilo sent the list of not-for-profit groups who received EPF grants this fall, and the 1816 Farmington Quaker Meetinghouse was not among them. Sometimes we succeed, and sometimes we don't! We will apply again next year.

Meanwhile, we are still awaiting word from Save America's Treasures and from our appropriations request through Senator Clinton's office.

In January, we will meet with our fund-raising committee to talk about a plan for pursuing these and other grants through Bank of America, Kresge Corporation, Delaware North, and others.

Meanwhile, we are blessed to receive support from the Rochester Area Community Foundation, Canandaigua Bank, and the Preservation League of New York State, as well as many private donors. Many, many thanks to all these!

2. Shop for Museums. If you have not yet done so, check out the 1816 Farmington Quaker Meetinghouse on www.shopformuseums. If you shop online, register here to help out our meetinghouse!

3. Canandaigua Rotary. I will be giving a talk on our meetinghouse project at the Canandaigua Rotary on December 6 at noon.

Best, Judy

Gail/Fran

FINGER LAKES REGION Region Total $1,092,950

Cayuga Museum of History & Art (Cayuga) $49,550
The Cayuga Museum of History and Art will restore and provide public access to one of the world's first sound studios for sound production.

The Park Church (Chemung) $388,135
The Park Church will undertake a roof replacement project and restore and repair masonry walls and chimneys.

Town of Southport (Chemung) $103,895
The Town will replace unsafe playground equipment with equipment that meets ADA standards and ensures that the park meets National Recreation and Park Association requirements.

City of Geneva (Ontario) $175,000
The City will upgrade Gulvin Park which serves the lowest income, distressed neighborhood in the heart of the Geneva Empire Zone. Improvements will be made to baseball fields, basketball courts, picnic area, children's play facility and unimproved fishing site.

Village of Waterloo (Seneca) $49,810
The Village will enhance and expand waterfront recreational activities on Oak Island by improving handicapped accessibility, constructing a second picnic pavilion and increasing waterfront access while preserving the natural character.

Village of Owego (Tioga) $326,560
The Village will restore the historic Evergreen Cemetery, located on a hillside overlooking the Susquehanna River.

Judith Wellman, Principal Investigator
Historical New York Research Associates
Professor Emerita, History
State University of New York at Oswego
2 Harris Hill Road
Fulton, New York 13069
315-598-4387

"Right is of no sex. Truth is of no color."
Frederick Douglass, North Star, 1848

"All men and women are created equal."
Declaration of Sentiments, Seneca Falls, 1848

Emergency Stabilization

12/13/07

Hi Everyone--Richard Deys and his crew began work on the Farmington Meetinghouse last Saturday, and things are progressing very well! Much of the cabling has already been installed, and they have pulled back that perilously leaning north wall an entire foot. I think we caught that just in time. The pegs had pulled almost entirely out of the mortise-and-tenon joints, and now they are once more tightly engaged.

Richard and his crew are also cleaning up around the sides and front of the building, sorting, stacking, and labeling (with metal tags attached with wire wrapped around the material) historic materials. The larger beams and posts are too big to go inside the building, so they are stacking these outside, separated by 4 x 4 timbers for ventilation. It seems clear where the large beams and posts fit into the building. Many interesting pieces of interior woodwork still survive, as well.

All in all, in spite of the serious and obvious damage to this building, we are encouraged by how much of the historic fabric survives. We are thinking of it as analogous to one of those 3-D puzzles of historic buildings. Most of it is there, but some of it is lying all over in pieces, just waiting to be put into the right place. With a little luck, and a lot of help from friends such as all of you, we will put this meetinghouse back together again!

Many, many thanks to Richard, to Matthew Abate, the Rochester Area Community Foundation, the Canandaigua Bank, the Preservation League of New York State, and to this whole team of people who care so much and work so hard for this building. Your efforts are truly saving this meetinghouse--and all the nationally important stories it tells--for the ages.

We will keep you all posted!

Best, Judy

Judith Wellman, Principal Investigator
Historical New York Research Associates
Professor Emerita, History
State University of Ne
w York at Oswego
2 Harris Hill Road Fulton, New York 13069
315-598-4387

"Right is of no sex. Truth is of no color."
Frederick Douglass, North Star, 1848

"All men and women are created equal."
Declaration of Sentiments, Seneca Falls, 1848

2007 Year End Update

12/25/07

Dear Friends, Sending you warm wishes and good cheer at this time of the turning of the year and the lengthening of the Light!

At the end of 2007, Friends of the 1816 Farmington Quaker Meetinghouse have much to celebrate. Much also remains to be done. Here is a summary of where we stand:

1. Stabilization of the Meetinghouse

We are extremely grateful to the Rochester Area Community Foundation, the Canandaigua National Bank, and several private donors for their timely financial assistance in funding the stabilization of the Meetinghouse. The Preservation League of New York State also offered to lend us money from their revolving fund to support this work.

Last winter was very hard on the Meetinghouse. Because the building stood open to the weather, its mortise-and-tenon joints loosened, and the whole structure began to lean toward the north. This building would not have been saved without the help of these generous donors.

We completed this work with the creative and enthusiastic help of Matthew Abate, engineer, who drew up the plans, and Richard Deys, contractor from Macedon, who did the work. With the help of Dave Bruinix, Richard Deys also sorted and labeled historic materials, storing them onsite. Many original elements were recovered in this process.

Our building committee offered ideas, suggestions, and feedback. Thanks to Jae Evangelisti, Peter Evans, Paul Malo, Kevin Milcarek, and Luther Robinson, our clerk of the works, as well as to our architect, Jack Waite, and Bill Brandow, of John G. Waite Associates, who gave us consistent support through this whole lengthy process.

This building stands for the ages because of all of you and only because of you. Many, many thanks!

2. Congressional Legislation

Special thanks to Congressman Randy Kuhl for introducing legislation (H.R. 3810) requesting the National Park Service to begin a Special Resource Study, exploring the possibility of acquiring the 1816 Farmington Quaker Meetinghouse as part of Women's Rights National Historical Park. Congressman Kuhl has also requested Mary Bomar, Director of the National Park Service, to initiate a reconnaissance study on this same topic. We are still awaiting a reply from Director Bomar.

Thanks also to Congresswoman Louise Slaughter, who introduced the National Women's Rights History Project Act in the House (H.R. 3114) and Senator Hillary Clinton, who introduced this legislation in the Senate (S. 1816).

Working with the National Park Service (especially Women's Rights National Historical Park in Seneca Falls, New York) and with state historic preservation offices across the nation, this bill will 1) link a concentration of women's rights sites in upstate New York (including the 1816 Farmington Quaker Meetinghouse) through a women's rights history trail; 2) identify women's rights historic sites across the nation and highlight them through the National Register's website (“Places Where Women Made History”); and 3) create a partnership to develop interpretive programs. This bill now has 62 sponsors in the House.

We are working with Friends of Women's Rights National Historical Park to develop national support for both these bills. Stay tuned!

3. New Website

Thanks to webmaster Dave Cocuzzi of Clear Path Studios (www.clearpathstudios.com), we are now developing a new website. This will be linked to our listserv, so from now on, you will be able to subscribe (and unsubscribe) to these emails by going to our homepage at www.farmingtonmeetinghouse.org. This website is a work in progress, and (with the help of researchers Charles Lenhart, Marie Parsons, and others), we will be adding photos, primary documents, a timeline, and other materials. Many thanks, Dave!

4. ShopforMuseums.Com

Thanks to Maria Wade, we are now linked to www.shopformuseums.com. If you shop online, check this out! It contains links to major retailers throughout the country. Register under 1816 Farmington Quaker Meetinghouse, and for every purchase you make through this site, a percentage will go to the 1816 Farmington Quaker Meetinghouse project. Thank you, Maria!

5. School Presentations

Maria Wade made presentations to Victor Middle School students about the Farmington Meetinghouse. We will also be working with the Survey of Sites Relating to the Underground Railroad, Abolitionism, and African American Life in Wayne County, sponsored by the Wayne County Historian's Office (Peter Evans, Historian) and funded by Preserve New York (under the Preservation League of New York State and the New York State Council on the Arts) on a presentation about Underground Railroad supporter Griffith Cooper, Farmington Quaker minister who lived in Williamson, New York.

6. Fund-raising

Our top priority in 2008 will be to develop a plan for raising the $1.5 million we need to move the Meetinghouse to its new site across the road, restore its exterior to its original condition and rebuild the ministers' and elders' building that was once connected to the rear corner of the meetinghouse.

We did not receive either the Environmental Protection Fund grant or the Save America's Treasures grant that we applied for this year. We will reapply for these next year and work for matching grants for these.

7. Importance of this Meetinghouse

A Reminder About Why We All Work So Hard. This building is nationally important for its connection to the early woman's rights movement, the Underground Railroad, and Seneca Indian land rights:

1. There would have been no woman's rights convention at Seneca Falls in 1848 without the help of Quakers affiliated with this meetinghouse.
2. Farmington Quakers formed a key node on the Underground Railroad, working closely with Frederick Douglass, William Wells Brown and other African Americans.
3. There was no “trail of tears” for the Seneca, as there was for the Cherokee and other Native Americans, in part because of alliances forged between Seneca leaders and Quakers at this Meetinghouse.

This Meetinghouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the National Park Service's Underground Railroad Network to Freedom. It will ultimately be eligible for four heritage trails, two federal and two state, relating to women's rights and the Underground Railroad.

Happy Holidays to everyone! Blessings on thee! May all your projects hum with energy and joy in the coming year!

Steering Committee
Friends of the 1816 Farmington Quaker Meetinghouse

Judith Wellman, Chair
Helen Kirker, Co-Chair
Rich Regen, Co-Chair

Judith Wellman, Principal Investigator
Historical New York Research Associates
Professor Emerita, History
State University of New York at Oswego
2 Harris Hill Road
Fulton, New York 13069
315-598-4387

"Right is of no sex. Truth is of no color."
Frederick Douglass, North Star, 1848

"All men and women are created equal."
Declaration of Sentiments, Seneca Falls, 1848

Update and 2/26 Meeting Agenda

1/20/2008

Hello Friends--Our next Steering Committee meeting will be on February 26, 2008, at 1:15 in the "new" Farmington meetinghouse.

We had talked earlier about having a meeting this Tuesday, January 22, but we have postponed it to February 26 in order to give the Fund-raising Committee a chance to meet first.

National Park Service, Reconnaissance Study: We have some excellent news. Congressman Kuhl reports that he just received word from Mary Bomar, Director of the National Park Service, that the NPS will be doing a reconnaissance study for the 1816 Farmington Quaker Meetinghouse, exploring the possibility of potentially acquiring the meetinghouse as an adjunct to Women's Rights National Historical Park. They will probably begin the study in March or April. Thank you so much, Congressman Kuhl, for pursuing this request!

Canandaigua National Bank Grant. We will be having a photo opportunity at the meetinghouse next week with George Hamlin, President of the Canandaigua National Bank, to celebrate their donation of $7500 to the 1816 Farmington Quaker Meetinghouse project. We appreciate so much this very generous gift. This project could not survive without help such as this. We have already begun to draw on these funds for paying our insurance bill and for cleaning, sorting, labeling and storing historic material. More on Canandaigua National Bank...

Conditions Assessment Report. Attached are lovely drawings done by Bill Brandow, of Jack Waite Associates, for the conditions assessment report for the Farmington meetinghouse. We will pass out copies of the report itself at the February meeting.

Stabilization. Thanks to Richard Deys, the stabilization of the meetinghouse is now complete, with funding from the Rochester Area Community Foundation. Cables and posts held this post-and-beam structure together through high winds last week, proving the workability of engineer Matthew Abate's design.

Thanks so much to all who worked so hard to make these important steps happen. This building now stands because of you!

See you all on February 2.

Best, Judy and Helen and Rich

Meeting Minutes

March 11 2008

Farmington Meeting House Restoration Committee
Committee Meeting on March 11, 2008
At the Friends Meeting House in Farmington

1. Request to begin meeting about 1:15 PM by Helen Kirker
2. Those present were: Doug Fisher, Charles Lenhart, Rich Regen, Carol Elaine Deys, Marie and David Parsons, Peter Evans and Helen Kirker plus Luther Robinson who joined in near the end of the meeting
3. Peter Evans agreed to act as meeting note taker
4. Treasurers Report was reviewed and approved by all present
5. Group briefly discussed funding and funding sources. Charles had printed out two copies of a database but it was quite large. Since Judy Wellman was not able to be present the General Fund Raising discussion was tabled until the next meeting
   • Marie Parsons reviewed her cross-stitch/needle point project proposal. The samples presented were very well received by the whole committee. Marie requested funding to produce about 20 kits which would be for sale to the public. Expenditure of $100 for the kits was authorized by all members present.
   • Marie Parsons stated that all the design ownership and copyrights associated with the Meeting House Kits were to be the sole property of the Farmington Meeting House Restoration Organization.
   • Carol Elaine Deys reviewed book store initiative and also outlined plans for a Macedon Day event. She also recommended that the pattern design for the Meeting House Kits would also make great coloring pages for children.
   • The Funding Committee recommended to the Steering Committee that a process be initiated to incorporate as a "not-for-profit" charitable 501c3 corporation. The reason this might prove to be an advantage in the long term was discussed. It was the consensus of those present that the whole process of securing a NYS Museum Provisional Charter and then applying for the Federal 501c3 designation could take a substantial period of time so it was better to begin the process now.
   • There was discussion concerning the intent or logic for organizing as a "non-membership" organization. This concept or stipulation needs to be explored and defined further. Any potential reasons for not moving forward with the application for incorporation were discussed. If at any time this action proves to be called into question, the process can easily be placed on temporary hold. Helen Kirker will move forward asking Wade Eaton to begin the application for charter with the NYS Museum and Stephen Lewandowski to begin drafting a constitution and by-laws.
6. Peter suggested that we use "off the shelf" models for both of these documents. Particularly the by-laws, they can be modified to reflect the wishes of the members at any time in the future once the committee determines how they want or need to operate.
7. At this point in the meeting discussion – the agenda was placed on hold and those present entered into a very productive examination of "Meeting Process and Order". Peter, as note taker, had been attempting to follow or apply normal Roberts Rules process. Since some key decisions were being made and money was being authorized, Peter felt that due process needed to be reflected in the meeting minutes.
8. Helen Kirker and Rich Regen introduced the group to an alternate process that is prevalent within Friends community and used at committee meetings. It involves a process where everyone has a voice and everyone is heard. That a dissenting or minority opinion is always provided full opportunity for expression. Peter admitted that Roberts Rules can shut down open discussion and prevent all voices being heard equally. He further suggested that Rich Regen and Peter Evans should explore a process which would bring forward the Friends approach or concept yet allow for the documented accountability needed for legal due process. This alternate approach, if adopted, would reflect a more open and inclusive process and is not intended to reflect any particular religious persusion or affiliation. Every one present seemed to be in agreement with this outcome and we moved back to the published agenda.
9. Leadership in Energy Efficient Design (LEED) Certification: Those present all agreed that aiming for LEED Certification was a worthy goal for the Meeting House Project. It was mentioned that the committee felt that this should be achievable without compromising historical and restoration accuracy of the meeting house (there are a number of other criteria that need attention as we move the project forward—environmental around land disturbance and materials used etc.-PKE).
10. Public Relations & Publicity—At this point the committee reviewed a number of initiatives that could raise the visibility and awareness of the project which could aid the fund raising efforts already underway and those that are in the planning stage.
    • National Park Service Wayside Signage coupled with the potential for site survey and project evaluation studies.
    • Heritage Café in Waterloo made an offer to provide an area for Meeting House pictures, site interpretation and project progress.
    • Brochure—a need was expressed for a published brochure to be used around the region to raise the awareness for the project and its importance both regionally and on the national scene. Judy Wellman has prepared a document that she has been using when meeting with government and funding groups. This will be an item for a future agenda when we can review the objectives or intent of a brochure for the general public and can review what Judy has already prepared (a formal "case statement" document needs to be prepared for major donor contacts—PKE).
    • Post Office Box—the need for a formal mailing addresses was discussed. This will be necessary/desirable for the charter—incorporation application. It was suggested that the local Post Office be approached to see if the Committee could purchase a PO Box with the number "1816". The lease is yearly and is not an immediate priority but is part of a public relations and communications plan. One of the primary reason or objectives of any form of communication (a brochure) effort is to open a path between potential donors and the Meeting House Organization. Helen Kirker will investigate with the local US Post Office.
    • A number of members reminded the committee about some initial concerns expressed by the immediate community within the Meeting House area. We need to continue to respect their privacy and solitude even as we move into the next phase of our restoration and fund raising initiative.
    • Any publicity of the Meeting House site or restoration appeal that might prompt tourism interest needs to be carefully gauged. This will require some very careful thought since we can not expect to appeal to a broad spectrum of financial support without some reasonably high profile publicity of our mission (is there a well defined and written project "mission" statement—sort of statement that appears on all literature and rolls off of each our tongues at the drop of a hat?-PKE).

At this point it was almost 3 PM and Peter Evans needed to return to the office. These notes will be mailed to Helen Kirker for Helen to edit and add to as appropriate.

Submitted, Peter Evans, Meeting Scribe for 3/11/2008

Minutes

4/29/08

Present: Carol Elaine Deyes, Peter Evans, Douglas Fisher, Lyle Jenks, Helen Kirker, Charles Lenhart, Stephan Lewandowski, David Parsons, Marie Parsons, Luther Robinson, Judith Wellman

Meeting opened with a moment of silence about 1:50 p.m.

1. Agenda approved, with additions.
2. Introductions
3. Peter Evans reported on the Survey of Sites Relating to the Underground Railroad, Abolitionism, and African American Life in Wayne County, which has revealed many sites relating to the 1816 Farmington Quaker Meetinghouse.
4. Treasurer's report from Francis Caraccilo, delivered by Judith Wellman. We will receive $1200 from the NYS Council on the Arts for Jack Waite's Conditions Assessment report. Treasurer is still working on line-of-credit from the Preservation League.
5. Publicity.
   1. National Collaborative of Women's History Sites. We have joined this group and will be listed in their directory, online and in hard copy.
   2. New York Archives. Article on the Farmington Meetinghouse, "Quiet Center of the Storm," by Stephan Lewandowski and Judith Wellman, with research assistance from Charles Lenhart, Christopher Densmore, and Margaret Hartsough.
   3. Wayside sign. Luther Robinson suggested we find out what is involved in responding to the offer from Women's Rights National Historical Park to put up a sign for the meetinghouse. Helen Kirker volunteered to find out who needs to do the writing and layout and who will pay for it.
   4. North Rose-Wolcott Teaching American History tour. Carol Elaine Deys reported on the tour of Underground Railroad sites and workshop at the Farmington Meetinghouse for 23 teachers from Wayne County on April 24. This group brought considerable energy to and enthusiasm for our project. Thanks to Farmington Town Historian Margaret Hartsough for her presentation.
6. Congressional liason. Maria Wade reported (via Judy Wellman) that she had sent a letter to Senator Schumer, asking for his support for the Special Resource Study, Network to Freedom, and the National Women's History Project Act.
7. National Park Service Reconnaissance Study. . Judith Wellman reported that Terence Moore and Lisa Kolakowsky Smith had visited the meetinghouse last week, as the first part of the National Park Service's reconnaissance study.
8. Fund-raising
   1. Macedon Bookstore. Carol Elaine Deys, Chair of the Community Outreach Committee, reported on plans for a fund-raiser at the Macedon Bookstore, 78 Main Street, Macedon, on May 16-18, beginning at noon.
   2. Farmers' Market.Carol Elaine will also prepare a basket for a raffle at the new farmers' market at the former Orthodox Quaker Meetinghouse in Macedon Center. Farmer's market will be on Saturday mornings, beginning next week.
   3. Needlepoint kits. Marie Parsons reported on her progress toward developing needlepoint kits with the image of the 1816 Farmington Quaker Meetinghouse, for sale at such outlets as the Macedon Bookstore and the Farmers' Market.
   4. Community presentation on 1816 Farmington Meetinghouse. Marie Parsons reported on a program given on the 1816 Farmington Meetinghouse at Rochester M.M. of Friends. Where else might we give this program, perhaps as a fund-raiser?
   5. Internet Sales and Fund-raising.The Committee spent some time brainstorming ideas for items we might sell locally and via the internet. These included:
      • needlepoint kits
      • George W. Clark songbook
      • Informational booklet on meetinghouse
      • Children's book on the meetinghouse
      • Books on architecture of Quaker meetinghouses
      • CD of Christmas music
      • T-shirts/coffee cups/bumper stickers/buttons
      In order to do this, we will need someone to be responsible for sales, including setting up credit card sales (maybe through PayPal) and mailing items.
   6. Grants. Judith Wellman reported on draft of Save America's Treasures grant, with budget revised by Jack Waite's office, and on feedback (through Fran Caraccilo) relating to last year's EPF grant. We lost points on our EPF proposal because of items not under our control (size of surrounding population, e.g.). Work continues with Bank of America and Delaware North (Billie Luisi-Potts and Rick Kollins).
   7. Grants. We reviewed by-laws drafted by Stephen Lewandowski and made suggestions for small changes. Stephan will incorporate these and send around a revised draft.
9. We closed with a moment of silence about 4:30 p.m.
10. Next meeting will be on May 27 at 1:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, Judith Wellman

Minutes

5/27/08

Present: Carol Elaine Deys, Peter Evans, Helen Kirker, Charles Lenhart, Marie Parsons, Luther Robinson, Judith Wellman

A Vision of the Future? Carol Elaine Deys reported that, as she driving to meeting, wondering what the focus of our work would be today, the sunshine shone strongly on the field across the street, future site of 1816 Farmington Quaker Meetinghouse. Is this a sign that our goal is moving forward?

Research

1. Photos. HelenKirker brought and displayed photos of the meetinghouse during stabilization.
2. John Jacob Thomas. Charles Lenhart reported on his research on John Jacob Thomas, Orthodox Quaker horticulturist, in business with William R. Smith as Macedon nurseries. Born in Cayuga County and returned there after his father David Thomas died. Charles brought a photo of J.J., along with copies of some of his publications. Thomas was often secretary of abolitionist meetings. Connections with Andrew Jackson Downing and A.J. Davis. William R. Smith's house was based on a Davis design. Thomas house (now gone) was next door. Patricia White shared copies of letters from J.J.'s wife, Mary Howland Thomas, to her sister Phebe Howland Howland, near Sherwood. Charles showed copies of original publications of The Cultivator, 1856-61, edited by Thomas, along with a reprint of the 1862 edition of The Cultivator.
3. 1927 Article on Meetinghouse. Marie Parsons transcribed article on the meetinghouse, found by Charles Lenhart at the Rochester Public Library, from Rochester Times Union, May 18, 1927, on the Farmington Meetinghouse.

Fund Raising

1. Macedon Bookstore--Carol Elaine Deys reported on the event at BOOKS, ETC., on Main Street in Macedon, passing around an article she wrote about this for the newspaper. Beautiful energy in this place, and everyone had a wonderful time. Marie Parsons and Charles Lenhart gave talks. Committee sends an official thank you to John Cieslinski and Maryanne Miller, owners of the bookstore, for presenting this community event, and to Kathy Trenkler, who donated ten percent of the sales from her "Tastefully Simple" that weekend to the Farmington Meetinghouse project. We very much appreciate this, and also the baskets made by Carol Elaine. Event made $85.00 toward the match for federal dollars for the 1816 Farmington Meetinghouse project.
2. Needlepoint--Marie Parsons. Marie showed needlepoint work that she had done from designs that she had developed from architect’s drawings. Marie is developing kits with directions and materials, so that we can sell these as a fund-raiser.
3. Network to Freedom grant proposal--Judy. NTF grant proposal went in for $50,000 in matching funds.
4. Save America's Treasures—Judy. Report from Peter Matthews: Stabilizing and moving the building will cost $200,000-$250,000. Steering Committee approved paying Mathews $200.00 for his estimate. RG&E is considering our request that they donate dropping the power lines, as part of moving the building. Helen will contact Frontier and Time-Warner about dropping the cable and telephone lines. We missed the deadline for Save America’s Treasures. We had trouble getting the CCR connection set up, because the DUNS number was on inactive status.
5. EPF grant. Due June 30. Judy will work with Fran on this.
6. Geothermal heating—Luther Robinson. Major contractor in Rochester (VanHee Heating Service—contact Bill) Jim DiAngelo, Director of Sterling Nature Center, installed geothermal system around his house. Five 200-foot long trenches laid at five-foot depth, with circular pipe around the field. Goes to a central collection point with a pump that brings water to radiator inside. Ground temperature about 50 degrees, so building would be heated/cooled year-round to 50 degrees. Auxiliary heating would be needed when building was used in winter. Initial installation cost about $20,000. Will pay for itself within five years.
7. Farmington-Scipio Spring Gathering. Helen--report on workshop on Farmington meetinghouse on May 26, 2008, as a green project. Audience included two architects and people from several different meetings throughout Farmington-Scipio Regional Meeting. PowerPoint presentation and exhibit. Helen wore her historic Quaker outfit.
8. Draft by-laws--Stephen Lewandowski. Committee discussed the draft and approved the by-laws, as amended at our last meeting. Discussion of keeping the legal Board relatively small, so that we are able to keep tapping energy from supporters by adding them to the Steering Committee. We talked about this project being a movement or a work-democracy. We do not want to lose our flexibility by making it difficult to add (or subtract) volunteers to the Steering Committee or by assuming that people have to be on the Board to be part of the project. Model of Quaker meetings, in which everyone is invited to attend business meetings and Board of Trustees is relatively small. Requested Stephan to explore next steps toward official incorporation.
9. Helen discussed potential development near Ganondagon. Marie will contact Peter Jemison for more information and to ask if we can be helpful.
10. Website links. Peter Evans linked the Farmington Quaker Meetinghouse to the Wayne County historian’s site. Thank you, Peter!

Announcements

1. Carol Elaine's 73rd birthday next week. We sang Happy Birthday. Luther Robinson turned 75 on May 23.
2. June 5—Howland Stone Store Museum celebrates its listing on the National Register as the Sherwood Equal Rights Historic District. Program at 7:00 p.m. Both major meetings for Farmington-Scipio Regional Meeting of Friends are now on the National Register as the Farmington Quaker Crossroads Historic District (listed April 2007) and the Sherwood Equal Rights Historic District (listed April 2008).
3. July 13—Quaker Day at Genesee Country Museum. Quaker meeting will be held in the old meetinghouse (formerly Wheatland Meetinghouse).
4. Next meeting: July 1, 2008—1:30.

Steering Committee
Friends of the 1816 Farmington Quaker Meetinghouse

Judith Wellman, Chair
Helen Kirker, Co-Chair
Rich Regen, Co-Chair

Judith Wellman, Principal Investigator
Historical New York Research Associates
Professor Emerita, History
State University of New York at Oswego
2 Harris Hill Road
Fulton, New York 13069
315-598-4387

"Right is of no sex. Truth is of no color."
Frederick Douglass, North Star, 1848

"All men and women are created equal."
Declaration of Sentiments, Seneca Falls, 1848

Minutes

8/30/08

Present: Helen Kirker, Charles Lenhart, Carol Deys, Doug Fisher, Rich Regen, Sylvia Rose

Note Judith Wellman is down in Florida, after the passing of her husband, visiting her Mother.

Report on fund-raising committee — Helen Kirker/Carol Elaine Deys

1. Carol reported that we have a table of information at the Farmers market at Macedon Center that her son operates weekends. We mentioned that if it is discovered that any old diaries or Quaker records are mentioned that they need to be looked into to share.
2. Helen reported on Ganandogan. We thanked people who helped out – Helen Kirker, Maria Wade, David & Maria Parsons, Sylvia Rose, Doug Fisher, and Charles Lenhart. Our booth served double duty, giving information on the meetinghouse and the Victor site that Doug Fisher is concerned about that was an indian battle site that a mall is proposed to be built over. She had 2 donations this day, 1 from a person from the Netherlands.
3. Helen's Sacred Sites report was discouraging as they initially said that we do not fit their profile as a place having a regular service. But Helen said she had talked with a site in Seneca Falls which does not have regular services but has been funded. So it may be possible if we would have at least an annual meeting. We are still pursuing.
4. Helen suggested that the upper floor attic of the Meetinghouse might be a good place to have heating and lighting. She thought high grass, meadow look would be a good idea and save on money.
5. Helen mentioned that there is a more current painting of the 1816 Meetinghouse.
6. Helen suggested that it is possible to make a contemporary made, old fashion looking Quaker doll that switches skirt to change faces - that the original was bought from the Levi Coffin Museum.

Report on contacts with Frontier & RGE — Helen Kirker

1. Doug suggested that it is possible to seek Time Warner funding of video for the transfer of the building through the cable company. (Did not talk with Time Warner about – yet) This was Helen's first contact with Time Warner & Frontier about the move. Time Warner spokes person said that we would need to consult with moving company as to what would be in the way. Need to find out more about what poles for Frontier & RGE are located along the way.
2. Question arose that we need to know how long do we have to reach our goal. We have a huge amount of money to go. Helen is trying to get this information from our treasurer.
3. Research report — Charles. The report was on Cassandra G Hathaway's Birds Nest School that the Edmondson sisters apparently attended while in Macedon.
4. Tour of barnsSeptember 20 Who is working on this? Tour will be From 9 to 4. Helen available 9 to 1 for the Farmington 1816 Meetinghouse. Charles would be there also from 9 to 4 We need to get some of the measurements & wood used specs to talk over with Farm interested people. Charles will bring an old hand cranked bench drill that was his (farmer) grandfathers as an item that might interest people.

Announcements

1. Grant proposal to Rochester Area Community Foundation was submitted, August 18, for $22,500 to help us match our $47,000 Network to Freedom grant. From the Lloyd Kloss fund paid from interest only.
2. Judy contacted Paul Rubery, lawyer who helped set up the Bullis Fund. Sent him a copy of the RACF proposal. One time only fund. When do they meet? Once a year??
3. Judy contacted Alaine Espenscheid, whom Stephen Lewandowski had talked with earlier about helping us set up the 501c3. She is very willing to help, and we will be in further contact in early September
4. Rick Kollins is working on contacts with Delaware North. There was concern about follow through being enacted.
5. Stephen Lewandowski knows of people in South Bristol who are using geothermal heating.
6. Soil type on the lot for the proposed meetinghouse is Palmyra gravelly sandy loam, according to the Ontario County Soil and Water Dept.

Minutes

9/30/08

Steering Committee, 1816 Farmington Quaker Meetinghouse Tuesday, September 30, at 1:30 p.m. in the 1876 Farmington Meetinghouse.

Attendees: Rich Regen (who chaired the meeting), Stephen Lewandoski, Helen Kirker, Carol Deys, Charles Lenhart, Judith Wellman, and Rebekah Tanner. Lyle Jenks sends his apologies for not being able to attend.

1. We send our heartfelt sympathies to Doug and the Fischer family of Victor, NY in the death of his mother, Lillian Fischer, at age 92, yesterday.
2. Treasurer's report. Francis Caracillo. See attached. The Committee accepted the treasurer's report.
3. Reports on public presentations--Helen Kirker, Charles Lenhart
   1. Barn Tour. About thirty people stopped at the Farmington Meetinghouse, part of the Ontario County Barn Tour, September 23. All were very interested.
   2. Seneca Falls Kiwanis talk by Helen and Charles was well received.
   3. Elizabeth Smith Miller Tea at Peterboro was attended by Charles which he said was interesting. He met and networked with Mid New York UGRR historian Maryellen Urtz of Lee Center, NY.
4. Community Outreach. Carol Elaine Deys has had success in getting donations totalling $20.00 through her recycling of books and magazines at the Farmer's Market at the 1868 Macedon Quaker Meetinghouse. Every bit gets doubled.
5. A suggestion was made that we possibly get Carol to approach the town of Macedon (with the support of Wayne County Historian, Peter Evans) to see if they would be interested in having a travel brochure of Macedon's role in the UGRR, abolition and suffrage for a reasonable figure. Judith and Charles would develop this and donate proceeds to the Meetinghouse funds.
6. Network to Freedom grant and Philadelphia conference on UGRR--Judy Wellman
   1. How long do we have to match the Network to Freedom grant? One year, renewable for up to 5 years.
   2. Any match by private or state funds gets matched with this grant, up to $47,000. We can begin this project as soon as we raise part of the money, but we cannot sign any contracts without having the money needed to pay the contractor in hand.
   3. Any money spent previously does not count. (We still owe Richard Dey and will need to pay insurance costs of $4000, beginning in December.)
   4. If we get the line-of-credit from the Preservation League of New York State, we can borrow against this to get our project going. State and private monies can be used to match federal grants.
   5. Part of our overall fund-raising plan will be to ask for individual donations.
   6. Visit to Race Street meetinghouse to look at their efforts at geothermal heating and cooling and inform them of our project.
7. Status of the building and what we need to do next: work plan
   1. Inspection by building committee and Richard Deys this month revealed that the meetinghouse has not moved since it was stablized last December. Post on southeast corner was part of earlier stabilization and has not been holding up anything for over a year. Rather than work to raise funds for further temporary stabilization, we decided to go full steam ahead to raise money for the full stabilization project.
   2. Jack Waite is willing to help develop specifications and bid documents, as soon as we have raised our initial funds.
   3. We just had a 60 to 70 mph wind during Hurricane Ike's path through the area. It blew down a pine tree in the Farmington cemetery but left the meetinghouse unscathed. A comment made was that the "holiness" of the meetinghouse served it well./li>
8. Status of 501c3 application. Steve Lewandowski reported that we need to get 501c3 certification for legal process. Appointment next week with Attorney Alaine Espenscheid to pursue application. We also need to get a both survey and an appraisal of the parcel.
   1. Francis Caracillo is currently working on a 501c3 application for another group and would be willing to draft one for us.
   2. Geothermal possibilities discussed. Eagle Mountain representative to look at the site and report to Stephen L.
   3. Environmentally sensitive parking lot. One possibility would be to pattern it after the one at the Elizabeth Cady Stanton house, a grid on the lawn. We do have a well drainable soil.
9. The committee discussed possible funding sources to match the Network to Freedom grant.

Announcements

1. National Collaborative of Women's History Sites,. 1816 Farmington Quaker Meetinghouse is part of this group and has been included in their recent informational booklet.
2. National Women's History Project Act. Introduced by Senator Hillary Clinton and Congresswoman Louise Slaughter. Passed committees after hearings in both Senate and House. Rolled into omnibus bill in the Senate but not yet in the House. Very important for the 1816 Farmington Quaker Meetinghouse because it would establish a women's rights history trail through New York State.
3. Reconnaissance study by Lisa Kolakowsky-Smith of the National Park Service, facilitated by Congressman Randy Kuhl. Exploring National Historic Landmark designation, with support of Mark Peckham, Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation.
4. Women's Rights National Historical Park. The Park is designing a sign for the 1816 Farmington Quaker Meetinghouse and will construct and install this sign.
5. Brochure for Farmington Meetinghouse. We will ask Doug Fisher if he would be willing to draft a trifold brochure for the Farmington Meetinghouse, incorporating appropriate material from our information sheets and the National Register nomination.

Minutes

12/09/08

Steering Committee, 1816 Farmington Quaker Meetinghouse Tuesday, December 9, Lehigh Valley Restaurant, Manchester NY.

Attendees: Carol Deys, Peter Evans, Douglas Fisher, Lyle Jenks, Helen Kirker, Charles Lenhart, Billie Luisi Potts, Sylvia Rose, Luther Robinson, Rich Regan, and Judith Wellman.

1. Thanksgiving Ceremony. Meeting opened at 1:00 p.m. with a thanksgiving ceremony, led by Luther Robinson and patterned after Haudenosaunee thanksgiving ceremonies.
2. National Park Service wayside sign—Helen Kirker introduced the sign drafted by Women’s Rights National Historical Park for the meetinghouse. The committee was very impressed and also made several suggestions, to be sent to Women’s Rights NHP.
3. NPS reconnaissance study. Judith Wellman reported that work is progressing on this study. Committee agreed that we need to keep in touch with the NPS on this.
4. Incorporation
   1. 501c3 and collections policy. Discussion of the official document for our new incorporation.
   2. First Board members will be Rich Regen, Helen Kirker, Billie Luisi-Potts, Francis Caraccilo, Stephen Lewandowski, and Carol Elaine Deys
   3. This Board will have responsibility for property, finances, and hiring and firing potential staff
   4. Steering Committee will continue to meet, welcome new members, and provide ideas and energy for this project
   5. Board members present decided to make this the first Board meeting, in conjunction with the Steering Committee
   6. Judith Wellman will enclose a copy of the by-laws with these minutes
   7. Discussion of getting chartered as a museum, separate from a not-for-profit, 501c3 incorporation
   8. Extensive discussion of the draft collections policy and what it should include. Steering Committee agreed to submit it as a draft policy with the incorporation papers and to revise it as needed at the next meeting. Billie Luisi-Potts, Doug Fisher, and Peter Evans agreed to form a sub-committee to review this carefully.
5. Research
   1. Farmington, Wayne County Sites, and National Register/Network to Freedom nominations
   2. Peter Evans and Charles Lenhart reported on the many sites related to Farmington that have been uncovered by the Survey of Sites Related to the Underground Railroad, Abolitionism, and African American Life in Wayne County.
   3. Members of our 1816 Meetinghouse research group had already been gathering the Meetinghouse research material based on regional research that provided a basis for Wayne County research.
   4. Peter Evans announced that Wayne County will be giving an award to Charles Lenhart for the immense amount of research material that he has given to the Wayne County Historian’s Office. Congratulations, Charles!
6. Fund raising
   1. Billie Luisi-Potts suggested that we develop a Advisory Council for Fund-raising. The committee endorsed this idea and suggested several possible names.
   2. The Committee passed a resolution of thanks to the Rochester Area Community Foundation for their grant of $14,000. Resolved, that we extend our sincerest and most heartfelt thanks to the Rochester Area Community Foundation for its grant of $14,000 toward our match for the National Park Service’s Network to Freedom funds. Your generosity is especially appreciated at this critical time. Rochester Area Community Foundation funding will allow us to begin work with our architect immediately toward permanent stabilization and preservation of original materials of the nationally important 1816 Farmington Quaker Meetinghouse.
   3. Judith Wellman reported on progress in getting the match of $49,000 for the $47,000 from the National Park Service’s Underground Railroad Network to Freedom. With $14,000 from the Rochester Area Community Foundation, $2000 pledged by Canandiagua National Bank, and $3500 pledged by private individuals, we have raised $19,500 toward the match. We can begin to spend this on our first step: hiring Jack Waite to develop plans and specifications.
   4. Our current bank account holds $907.42. We still have $1200 coming from the New York State Council on the Arts. We owe $2600 by the end of this month for our insurance. And we still owe $4932 to Richard Deys for work done last December. (We have already paid him $16,890 on his initial contract and $5000 toward his invoice of $9932 for cleanup.) Richard Regan will contact Richard Deys to help develop a scheduled plan for repayment.
   5. Luther Robinson spoke on the need for us to plant some seed money. He passed the hat and several people contributed.
   6. Doug Fisher thanked those who contributed in his mother‘s name to the Meetinghouse
   7. Judith also thanked people for the money donated in memory of her husband
   8. Rich said we need to have this as a reminder to keep relationships – keep sending thanks to people and develop our relationships. To ask that people ask others who may be interested to donate.
   9. Luther suggested donating to a specific part of the meetinghouse, making a signature donation.
   10. Doug Fisher noted that Obama was promoting funding for ready-to-go state projects. Perhaps we could tie our project in to this. Billie suggested NYSERDA agency could help us develop ideas for green elements.
7. Judith Wellman passed out copies of the annual report and asked for comments and suggestions.
8. Next meeting will be held January 13, 2009, 1:00 at Lehigh Valley Restaurant, Manchester. New York Board will meet at 11:30.

Respectfully submitted,
Charles Lenhart
1816 Farmington Quaker Meetinghouse
c/o Elizabeth Cady Stanton Foundation
P.O. Box 603, Seneca Falls, New York 13148
315-598-4387/315-568-6917

December 9, 2008

Ed Doherty, Vice President, Community Programs
The Community Foundation
500 East Avenue
Rochester, NY 14607 –1912

Dear Ed:

At its meeting today, the 1816 Farmington Quaker Meetinghouse Steering Committee passed the following resolution:

Resolved, That we extend our sincerest and most heartfelt thanks to the Rochester Area Community Foundation for its grant of $14,000 toward our match for the National Park Service’s Network to Freedom funds. Your generosity is especially appreciated at this critical time. Rochester Area Community Foundation funding will allow us to begin work with our architect immediately toward permanent stabilization and preservation of original materials of the nationally important 1816 Farmington Quaker Meetinghouse.

Each of us individually also offers our profound thanks. We are using these funds to kick off a major fund-raising effort. We will keep you posted.

Gratefully,

Judith Wellman, Chair
Helen Kirker and Rich Regen, Co-Chairs
Steering Committee, 1816 Farmington Quaker Meetinghouse

cc: Ted Fafinski, Jack Waite