3/5/2012 Historic Preservation Commission Minutes
Gordon County Historic Preservation Commission March 5, 2012
Regular Meeting
Chairman Padgett called the meeting to order at approximately 6 p.m., welcoming all in attendance. Minutes from February 6, 2012 minutes were presented for review and approval. Jane Powers Weldon made motion to approve minutes; seconded by Betty Ann Surdykowski. All voted aye.
Unfinished Business
Chairman Padgett had no new information to report on Resaca Battlefield State Park project.
Fort Wayne project is underway and trail system has been cut through. Estimated completion date for project is summer 2013.
David Mitchell stated himself, Chairman Padgett and R. Stanley Chambers traveled to Highway 411 in Ranger to locate McElrath cemetery. He stated the cemetery has one tombstone and 10-15 graves located within the cemetery.
Chairman Padgett stated he will speak with Calhoun Times in reference to running an article about cemeteries that still need to be located within Gordon County.
Jane Powers Weldon stated Calhoun HCP has approved a couple signs downtown by email since last meeting.
Jane Powers Weldon stated there are two good articles on the Smithsonian and the New Harmonies Exhibit; one in Calhoun Magazine and Georgia EMC magazine, which is a state wide magazine.
Chairman Padgett stated GPS project for historic markers would be delayed until summer.
Chairman Padgett stated on April 14, 2012, New Harmonies will be in Calhoun at 2 p.m. He stated the Great Locomotive film will be shown at the GEM theater at 4 p.m. on the same day. Barry Brown will be in attendance and hosting a book signing. At 7:30 p.m. at the GEM Theater this same day, Calhoun will be hosting Bobby Horton, one of the most famous Civil War Era musicians. Admission for Bobby Horton will be $10.00/person.
Jane Powers Weldon asked Chairman Padgett to email her the details on the day’s activities and she will have them added to the state website for New Harmonies.
New Business
Chairman Padgett encouraged anyone who can attend the statewide conference on April 19th and April 20th to do so.
New Echota has invited HPC members on March 16th to look at the archeological dig that is taking place. A private tour will be provided. Anyone attending is asked to meet in the parking lot at New Echota to begin tour around 11 a.m. that morning.
Chairman Padgett stated on March 31, 2012 at 9:30 a.m. anyone that can meet at Resaca Confederate Cemetery is encouraged to do so for the Annual Civil War Trust Day.
David Mitchell introduced our two guests to the HPC. He stated Scott Lumpkin had contacted him in reference to cleaning up the old Concord Cemetery, site of the original Concord Baptist Church, formed in 1946. Scott Lumpkin is working on earning his Eagle Scout. David Mitchell had Scott Lumpkin tell the HPC his plans for the cleaning up the cemetery. Scott Lumpkin stated they’ll be taking down some of the dead trees in the cemetery, sandblast and paint an old rusted fence and pick up debris throughout the cemetery. Scott questioned the HPC if they knew dimensions of the cemetery. Chairman Padgett suggested Scott go to the courthouse and research who owns the property and look for a deed. David Mitchell informed Scott that he could look in the cemetery book and get a list of names of individuals who are known to be buried in this particular cemetery, available in the collections room of the library or the historical society.
David Mitchell stated if they were to clean any tombstones to do so with only water and a soft brush.
Chairman Padgett stated the HPC would write Scott a letter of recommendation once the project is complete. He commended him for taking on a project as this one.
Scott Lumpkin stated they would also like to build a stone pathway going through the graveyard and place a sign towards the yard noting where the cemetery is located.
Scott Lumpkin questioned the HPC if they were aware of any Indian activity near the cemetery within the last 200 years. Chairman Padgett stated it’s a good possibility, since you’re dealing with property adjacent to a waterway. He stated anywhere there were waterways was hunting grounds.
Chairman Padgett wished him good luck on the project. HPC members expressed their appreciation to Scott Lumpkin for cleaning up this cemetery.
Adjournment
Chairman Padgett stated next meeting is Monday, April 2, 2012. Jane Powers Weldon made motion to adjourn; seconded by Betty Ann Surdykowski. All voted aye. Meeting was adjourned at approximately 6:30 p.m.
