MINUTES OF THE DOGTOWN HISTORICAL SOCIETY

September 13, 2003

CALL TO ORDER

Dogtown Historical Society meeting was held on September 13, 2003 at St. James The Greater Rectory.
Nina Bryans called the meeting to order the meeting of the Dogtown Historical Society at 10:08 a.m. The meeting was held at St. James The Greater Rectory with twelve people in attendance: Nina Bryans, Bob Corbett, John Corbett, Didi and Greg Gardner, Tom Haller, Rose Kennedy, Tom Lenartson, Virginia Lopez, Bill and Gerry Miller, and Kay Richard.

Minutes were read by Virginia Lopez and approved.

Treasurer’s Report – Nina Bryans reported for Jim Glaser, the treasurer, that there was a balance of $2,674.80 in the bank. There was no income or expenditures for the month of August.

General Business

1. Century Homes:
   
   Gerry and Bill Miller made contact with Lisa Laird Warren, a graphic artist.
   
   Dan McGuire, DHS member and former alderman, introduced Bob Corbett to Carolyn Hewes Toft, Executive Director of Landmarks Association of Saint Louis, Inc. to discuss a specific area of Dogtown previously known as the Thomas Mine area. Childress, Art Hill, Sanford, and Clayton to Berthold border this section. It may be declared a federal landmark area because of the identical architecture of the homes before 1941 that are historic and uniform. Ms.Toft has asked Bob to organize a walking tour of the area, and he has contacted Father Johnson, who will give a tour of St. James Church.
   
   At the Hibernian Festival last Sunday there were men dress as Union Soldiers of the Irish Brigade. It was suggested that they might be invited to reenact the Confederate raid on August Muggee’s Post Office and Grocery Store in 1864 at Dale and Manchester. John Corbett has the name of a contact, as well as Tom Haller whose contact is Emmet Taylor.
   
   The Post Dispatch ran a feature article on the Festival. The Millers will send the article to Bob Corbett for Web Site and the archives.
   
   
2. Speakers Series --
   
   The Committee met on August 22, 2003; the main agenda item was the next presentation on September 21 with Julie Duane as guest artist. Ms. Duane is an accomplished pianist, poet, and painter. She, along with her accompanist, Andy, will entertain with songs and a recitation of her poems. Sally Sharamitaro contacted Bill Kennebeck who will have beer available – DHS will supply pretzels. Sally sent the press release to all of the names on the Points of Contact List. In addition, copies were sent to several radio and TV stations and personalities, such as, KWMU, Show Me St. Louis, John Pertzborn, Channel Two Morning Show, Charlie Brennan, and John Carney. Nina contacted Kinko’s about the cost of printing postcards, but it was decided to mail flyers to those people who have attended previous lectures.
   
   The Committee agreed that due to the holidays, no event would be scheduled in November or December. The program will be moved to late January.
   
   The schedule for 2004 will be January, April, July, and October. The tentative schedule of speakers is: Doug Garner – Forest Park Highlands (possible April date); Peter Puleo--Founding of Forest Park, date to be determined; and 1904 World Fair Society – 1904 World Fair.
   
   Nina Bryans contacted Tammy A Riley, Community Relations, at Forest Park Community College to see about availability of facilities for the Forest Park Highlands lectures.
   
   
3. Logo Status
   
   John Corbett contacted two artists regarding the Wall Logo for money making items. They asked for a better description of what is wanted. John will meet with the Logo Committee to clarify what is wanted.
   
   John has taken the design logo to the printers so that stationary and envelops can be made. Stationary is needed for the membership drive in November.
   
   
4. Living History
   
   Virginia Lopez reported that videos from the three Speakers Series are not adequate for our archives. Problems with the sound have made them unusable. The videos from the Living History interviews are okay, and she has put them on VHS tapes.
   
   Virginia suggested that the organization look into getting a video camera to tape the interviews. Bob Corbett will give Nina a point of contact from Webster’s media technology department.

New Business

1. Video Equipment
   
   Due to the difficulties with video taping the Speakers Series, Bob Corbett suggested hiring a professional to tape the next presentation on September 21. It has been moved and seconded that we spend no more than $200.00, to videotape Julie Duane event. Motion carried. Bob Corbett has talked to Father Johnson regarding a book to celebrate the 150th anniversary of St. James Parish. Bob has suggested a 60-70-page book with an annex of graduation pictures of all the classes. He will write a proposal to be presented to the Parish Council for underwriting.
   
   
2. Membership Committee
   
   John Corbett will be unable to be chair the Membership Committee, and Henry Herbst has volunteered to fill the position. Letters will go out in November reminding people that donations are tax deductible.
   
   
3. Pattison Missionary Baptist Church
   
   From approximately 1850 –1960 there was a settlement of African Americans who lived on the Hill and in Dogtown. They were miners and brick makers, and their children attended #10 Colored School. Many of their homes were situated in the path of Hwy 44. Bob Corbett spoke with Pastor of Pattison Missionary Church, which has since moved north of Forest Park. Bob will visit the church this Sunday to interview some of the elderly parishioners about their memories of their old neighborhood.
   
   
4. Book Donation
   
   DHS member, Leon Koester, has donated Curtain Time in Forest Park: A Narrative of the St. Louis Municipal Opera, 1919-1958, by Marvin E. Holderness. This is considered a valuable donation to the DHS archives.
   
   A second donation has been received. It is: History of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, by Rev. John Rothensteiner.
   
   

Meeting adjourned 11:30 am

Next meeting will be October 11, 2003 at 10:00 a.m., St. James The Greater Rectory, 6401 Wade Avenue entrance.

Virginia Lopez
Secretary
Dogtown Historical Society