Canaan
Historical Society
Meeting of October 24, 2005
Senior Center
President Dan Fleetham Sr. opened the meeting at 7 p.m.
Members Present: President Dan Fleetham Sr., Historian Donna Zani-Dunkerton, John Ricard, Ed Lary, Chuck Townsend, Jean Ricard, Pete and Betty Cummings, Nancy and Pete Tuttle, Jim and Debby Crowell, Joanne Miller, Jim Miller and Dan Fleetham Jr. The minutes of the June 26th meeting were read and accepted. The Treasurers report was read and accepted. We have $3,347.39 in checking and $2,350.55 in the Historical Trust Fund.. Dan Fleetham Jr. was again asked to take minutes as our Secretary, Carol Bergeron was not in attendance.
OLD BUSINESS:
Donna Zani-Dunkerton reported on the shelter for the Snow Roller; Aaron is working on it and with donations, the final cost to the society should be around $2,600. Dan Fleetham Sr. recommended that money be used from the Historical Trust Fund along with the $1,800 grant received from Mascoma Savings Bank to cover the costs. A motion was made by Donna Zani-Dunkerton and seconded by John Ricard on the recommendation.
Donna reported that 300 people visited the Museum this season, (about the same as in 2004). People came from all over the United States and several requested assistance in locating gravestones and researching other historical information. The Museum closed for the season on October 22, 2005.
John Ricard mentioned the special Canaan history Program done by Donna Zani-Dunkerton and Gary Hamel at Cardigan Mountain School this past Summer. The exciting program was enthusiastically received by over 80 people as it brought alive the history of Canaan.
NEW BUSINESS:
Donna stated that the Lumen Winter drawings and other paintings at the Museum will be taken to the Town Library for Winter storage and possible display.
Dan Fleetham Sr. mentioned that there will be a special program on Noyes Academy at the , Wheelock Room of the Hanover Inn on Saturday November 5 at 9:00 AM; Call the Hanover Inn for more information.
Dan Sr. read excerpts from a letter concerning the preservation of ÒHand PaintedÓ curtains and panels found in Grange and community halls throughout the state. A group in Hillsboro, NH will be meeting to preserve them. Jim Miller mentioned that there are 3 curtains in the Old Meeting house and that there is also one in our Senior Center. Donna will make copies of the letter for Jim Miller and Gary Hamel to follow up on this.
John Ricard asked about the Ledger like document left at the Museum; he said it came from under the safe in the Old Rand mansion in Canaan. Donna said that we are continuing to research the book.
Chuck indicated that the Canaan Website is running now and suggested adding a 1 page summary with a link to the Historical Society web page. Donna will get the early pictures and summary like that used in the 2004 Friends of Canaan Main street Booklet and forward it to Chuck.
A report on the progress CD of the Town History by Chuck and Dan Jr. is expected at our next meeting.
Jim reported that trees have been taken down behind the Old Meeting House for the septic field. He also commented that the Town plans to have a major road change with Roberts road ending in a ÒTÓ on Canaan Street at the South End of the park, near where the old Wallace House was located.
Chuck reported that the Town of Canaan thinks that the roof is a maintenance item and not a capital one and that no $ were available for repair this year; we need to make sure that our request is in before the deadline for the Town Budget. Dan Sr. mentioned that we have priceless historical items such as a tea set from the 2nd settlers in Canaan and a RARE musket barrel rifling machine stored in the Museum.
The meeting was closed at 7:58 PM. NEXT MEETING: 7; 00 PM - January 23, 2006 at the Senior Center
Respectfully submitted,
Dan Fleet ham Jr.