The meeting was held Jan. 23 at 2:30 p.m. at the LaFayette-Walker County Public Library.

At the meeting:

Dr. David Boyle, president, called the meeting to order.

The minutes from November were read and approved. Treasurer sent a report of

$80.59 income and $150 expenses, leaving a balance of $3,507.59 for December 2010. The annual financial report (attached) showed an income of $1141.32 and expenses of $1,070.35 for a net gain of $70.97. Both reports were accepted.

Old business : Still need to fill the second vice president slot and historian for a complete officers slate. Boyle reported the financial records are almost updated to bring us current with IRS regulations, including the non-profit corporate arm, Walker County Georgia Historic Preservation, Inc., and asked for a motion to pay the accountant. Ann Brown made the motion to pay $1,500 for completing three years’ worth of records. Jill Chandler seconded the motion. Motion passed. The remainder will be requested of the Marsh House accounts since most of the work was related to the Marsh House.

The next item concerned the appointment of officers of the Community Task Force for the Marsh House. The officers who served in 2010 were Evelle Dana, president; Don Coleman, vice president, David Boyle, recording secretary; Mary McConnell, corresponding secretary; and Breck Parker, treasurer. Members at large were David Cameron and Darla Smalley. These officers will serve through 2011. They were accepted for 2010 and 2011 by acclamation. Also, business decisions of the Marsh House CTF for 2010 were approved.

The WCHS newsletter needs more content. Boyle asked Chandler to send in an update of the Georgia Room at the library each quarter. Boyle also announced Joan Trundle needs help with the mailing of the newsletter each quarter. Volunteers needed.

The first of three museum workshops sponsored by the WCHS was held Nov. 14, 2010, and was well attended with representatives from all museum activities in the county present. Chandler made a motion that WCHS continue to support this training and to pay the $150 honorarium per session to Claudia Oakes, director of the Chieftain Museum in Rome. Ann Brown seconded the motion. Motion passed.

New business : Frances Cobb has asked she be replaced as treasurer as soon as we can find and train a replacement.

David presented several program ideas that had been suggested to him and other suggestions were taken. Connie Forester, vice president of programs will review these ideas and present a schedule later. The worksheet is Jan. 23 – planning meeting, Feb. 27 at 2:30 p.m. in LaFayette-Walker County library – museum workshop, March 27 at 2:30 p.m. in LaFayette-Walker County library – introduction to the new history of LaFayette book, April 24 – changed to Field Trip Day to the Museum of Appalachia in Norris, Tenn. Authentic cabins, working farm, spring farm work, May 22 LaFayette library at 2:30 p.m – Secret Tour: Indian cabin at mystery location with hostess Ann Brown, Aug. 28 – saltpeter mining during the Civil Wary at Fricks’ Cave by Doug Carson, Nov. 27 – annual business meeting, Dec. 11 to 12 – Candle Light Open House at the March House.

Other programs to be scheduled will be on June 26, July 24, Sept. 25 and Oct. 23. Sometimes the group has a picnic in August, September or October along with a meeting.

Other ideas : Doug Carson has a program on antique lighting which we very much want to see again to be done at the Marsh House. Could be done in a cold month or a hot month since it will be inside. Connie Forester has several program ideas on local civic clubs. The group should get at least two months of programs from this idea. Ann Brown is looking into a program on the Cane Creek area and will search for a copy of an original play about Cane Creek written in the early 20th century by a school teacher there. If she finds it, we will attempt at least a dramatic reading if not a full play performance. The group would like Doug Carson to set up a driving tour of Flintstone with a stop at all the important historic sites. A spring or fall date might be best. The group wants to strengthen ties with north Walker County communities. Someone suggested doing a program about mills of LaFayette and Walker County, including cotton mills, carpet mills, shirt factories, sock factories, ceramics kilns, etc.

Goals for 2011 :

A. Support the evolving museum network in Walker County

B. Support the Marsh House

C. Strengthen ties with neighboring historical groups

D. Support the preservation of historic structures and sites in Walker County

E. Monthly meetings of WCHS on relevant topics. It was felt that events related to the War Between the States and the battles nearby are amply covered by other groups, but special issues like refugees, life conditions, civilian life, etc. would be of interest.

F. Support the genealogy room and the Cherokee library in general

The library will close in its present site for remodeling in August. The group will need to plan for alternate meeting space, if the library is not available during that time. The group could meet at the Marsh House, especially if the meeting time was changed to 3 p.m.

Submitted by Jennie Chandler, recording secretary.