Pewee Valley Historical Society Events 2017
Learn about upcoming meetings and special events sponsored by
the Pewee Valley Historical Society.
the Pewee Valley Historical Society.
Pewee Valley Historical Society November Meeting Minutes and Progress on Assignments
Tuesday, November 14, 2017, 7:00 p.m. at Town Hall
Tuesday, November 14, 2017, 7:00 p.m. at Town Hall
Attending: Carolyn Moore, Gloria Sanders, Mary Trowel, Walter “Sunny” L. Gales, Shirley Hinkle, Bob Rogers, Marsha Chadwick, Jay Poole, Pat Palmer, Bethany Majors, David Dick, Suzanne Schimpeler, Donna Russell
Old Business
Official Sesquicentennial Committee Formation
Definite yesses:
Pending answers and/or people:
Museum Acquisition:
“Household of Bouverie; Or, The Elixir of Gold by A Southern Lady” published in 1860 by Catharine Ware Warfield. The book was the first and most popular of ten novels she wrote while living in Pewee Valley at Beechmore/Jennie Casseday Rest Cottage/Mary Crain Hospital. Her last two were written the year she died. $8.99
Museum Acquisition:
Official Little Colonel Post Card of The Locust Avenue of Trees, featuring a 1906 photo by Kate Matthews. This gives the museum 5 official LC postcards. $10.00
Museum Acquisition:
Little Colonel “Little Big Book” missing cover for use of movie still illustrations for display in museum $5.00
Town Hall Gallery Signage:
16 Plaques for Artwork in Gallery at Town Hall from Manley Signs & Awards, LaGrange $320.00
Museum Signage:
Three custom museum signs from Signarama Northeast: Commercial Development in Pewee Valley, Annie Fellows Johnston & The Little Colonel, Noble Butler QR Code Explanatory Sign $95.40
Framing Little Colonel Movie Posters & Movie Stills from Little Big Book
Hobby Lobby $680.40
Male Mannequin:
To display 1970’s-era PV Police uniform from eBay $62.99
Official Sesquicentennial Committee Formation
Definite yesses:
- Patti Neuremberger (former Call of the Pewee editor)
- Marsha Chadwick (Pewee Valley Woman’s Club)
- Janice Bell (Little Colonel Players)
- David Dick (grandson of Little Colonel Hattie Cochran and attorney)
- Tracee Dore (new resident, builder/interior designer)
- Dr. Thomas J. Clark, D.D. (long-time resident, PV Cemetery Board)
- Laura Hall (314 Exchange)
- Norman Schippert (PVHS and City Councilman)
- Bethany Major (PVHS and City Councilwoman)
- Jana Brizendine (PVHA and Environmental Board)
- Andrea Braden (PV Post Office)
- Walter “Sunny” Gales (Pewee Valley Cemetery East)
- Janora Curry (Pewee Valley First Baptist Church)
- Jay Poole (Pewee Valley Presbyterian Church)
Pending answers and/or people:
- Volunteers from the Sesquicentennial Survey
- St. James Episcopal, St. Aloysius (awaiting names)
- Pewee Valley Vet (Bethany Major)
- Baptist Church on Ash Avenue (241-9496 – left message)
- Sycamore Chapel in Fraziertown (241-7712 – no answer, no answering machine)
- Seventh Day Adventists (241-0205 or Pastor John Johnston (731) 453-4284 – called and left message)
- Mormon Church (241-7377 – contacted via messenger on Facebook page)
- Pewee Valley Masonic Lodge
- South Oldham Lions (Donna Russell contacted via website)
- South Oldham Rotary Club (Donna Russell contacted via website)
- Chris Chandler ([email protected]) (Bethany Major)
- John Morgan (Suzanne Schimpeler has emailed)
- Ann Montgomery (Suzanne Schimpeler) (former City Treasurer and author of “35 Landmark Homes of Pewee Valley”)
Museum Acquisition:
“Household of Bouverie; Or, The Elixir of Gold by A Southern Lady” published in 1860 by Catharine Ware Warfield. The book was the first and most popular of ten novels she wrote while living in Pewee Valley at Beechmore/Jennie Casseday Rest Cottage/Mary Crain Hospital. Her last two were written the year she died. $8.99
Museum Acquisition:
Official Little Colonel Post Card of The Locust Avenue of Trees, featuring a 1906 photo by Kate Matthews. This gives the museum 5 official LC postcards. $10.00
Museum Acquisition:
Little Colonel “Little Big Book” missing cover for use of movie still illustrations for display in museum $5.00
Town Hall Gallery Signage:
16 Plaques for Artwork in Gallery at Town Hall from Manley Signs & Awards, LaGrange $320.00
Museum Signage:
Three custom museum signs from Signarama Northeast: Commercial Development in Pewee Valley, Annie Fellows Johnston & The Little Colonel, Noble Butler QR Code Explanatory Sign $95.40
Framing Little Colonel Movie Posters & Movie Stills from Little Big Book
Hobby Lobby $680.40
Male Mannequin:
To display 1970’s-era PV Police uniform from eBay $62.99
Recent Museum Acquisitions
PVHS members voted to purchase a mannequin for displaying the 1970s-era PV Police uniform donated by the Andrew Herdt family. The city clerk ordered the mannequin through eBay, which offered the lowest price of $62.99, including shipping. It arrived November 22, in time for the Yule Log celebration. PV Police Chief Greg Larimore is assisting the museum with procuring accessories such as shoes, a belt, etc., from another former police department member. A set of aviator style Ray Bans might be a nice touch!
Members also viewed the 1970 Centennial award-winning flag design and want to explore having a cloth version made up for the Sesquicentennial. The flag could then fly outside Town Hall, where the city’s flagpole is being moved. (It is presently obscured by large pine trees near the fire circle in Town Square. Oates Flag has a contract to move it, but is awaiting receipt of some special bolts.)
PVHS members voted to purchase a mannequin for displaying the 1970s-era PV Police uniform donated by the Andrew Herdt family. The city clerk ordered the mannequin through eBay, which offered the lowest price of $62.99, including shipping. It arrived November 22, in time for the Yule Log celebration. PV Police Chief Greg Larimore is assisting the museum with procuring accessories such as shoes, a belt, etc., from another former police department member. A set of aviator style Ray Bans might be a nice touch!
Members also viewed the 1970 Centennial award-winning flag design and want to explore having a cloth version made up for the Sesquicentennial. The flag could then fly outside Town Hall, where the city’s flagpole is being moved. (It is presently obscured by large pine trees near the fire circle in Town Square. Oates Flag has a contract to move it, but is awaiting receipt of some special bolts.)
Oates Flag Company has provided the following cost estimate for one large flag and for hand-held souvenir flags, if we choose to sell them as a fundraiser:
Set Up costs:
$40 re-draw fee
$75 preparation of digital art
Ever Tex material to make one large outdoor flag (this is a long-lasting polyester material specifically for outdoor use)
3'x5' 124.00
4'x6' 164.00
5'x8' 233.00
Possible souvenir 4" x 6" hand-held flags on 10" staff:
250- 3.00 ea.
500- 2.25 ea.
The city’s U.S. flag is currently 5’ by 8’, so the city flag should be smaller – 4’ by 6’.
The city may want to make large flags available to city residents, as well, when we order the flag for Town Hall. We could take prepaid orders and see if that nets us any discounts on the cost. We could also sell them for a small profit – maybe $10 a flag -- as a fundraiser to help defray the cost of the flag at Town Hall.
We are currently working on PMS color selections. So far, it appears that the following colors are closest to the flag’s original design (the photo of the flag design is not quite the same colorwise as the flag looks in person):
Set Up costs:
$40 re-draw fee
$75 preparation of digital art
Ever Tex material to make one large outdoor flag (this is a long-lasting polyester material specifically for outdoor use)
3'x5' 124.00
4'x6' 164.00
5'x8' 233.00
Possible souvenir 4" x 6" hand-held flags on 10" staff:
250- 3.00 ea.
500- 2.25 ea.
The city’s U.S. flag is currently 5’ by 8’, so the city flag should be smaller – 4’ by 6’.
The city may want to make large flags available to city residents, as well, when we order the flag for Town Hall. We could take prepaid orders and see if that nets us any discounts on the cost. We could also sell them for a small profit – maybe $10 a flag -- as a fundraiser to help defray the cost of the flag at Town Hall.
We are currently working on PMS color selections. So far, it appears that the following colors are closest to the flag’s original design (the photo of the flag design is not quite the same colorwise as the flag looks in person):
Mayor Bob Rogers reported on another new Museum acquisition: a 1915 postmarked post card of the Kentucky Confederate Home, courtesy of Timothy and Shannon Lampley Coyle of Goshen, Ky. This is the only post card of the Home the Museum currently owns, although we have digital images of many different cards that were sold over the years.
And Donna Russell reported that there is a $100 donation in the mail to us from Jake Szatkowsky, the Museum visitor and “Little Colonel” fan who gave us such constructive feedback earlier this summer. Jake has been keeping up with meeting minutes and has provided us with some great ideas for improvements. His donation arrived on November 20.
Historical Signage Program
Discussion of the signage program centered on the materials to be used. Members agreed that printing them on 1/8” aluminum rather than PVC would be the best way to go for durability. After discussing the project with Matt King at Eagle Sign, Donna requested some additional information and recommendations from Chris Allen at Nimlock-Kentucky, Shelley Schippert’s vendor at Brown Forman. She received this information on November 21:
Eagle’s bid for clear-coated aluminum signs is $375-440 each. Nimlock Kentucky’s bid is $129 each. This is a very signficant difference in price, much as we found on the poster framing for the museum.
Suzanne Schimpeler is going to contact the Kentucky Historical Society and the Heritage Commission about their sources for historic signage. She is also going to explore whether the prison is still making signs and if they could help us with this project.
Posts were also discussed and Donna provided the following information about posts available from Metal Crafters. Posts are a big decision point, because they cost more than the signs themselves:
And Donna Russell reported that there is a $100 donation in the mail to us from Jake Szatkowsky, the Museum visitor and “Little Colonel” fan who gave us such constructive feedback earlier this summer. Jake has been keeping up with meeting minutes and has provided us with some great ideas for improvements. His donation arrived on November 20.
Historical Signage Program
Discussion of the signage program centered on the materials to be used. Members agreed that printing them on 1/8” aluminum rather than PVC would be the best way to go for durability. After discussing the project with Matt King at Eagle Sign, Donna requested some additional information and recommendations from Chris Allen at Nimlock-Kentucky, Shelley Schippert’s vendor at Brown Forman. She received this information on November 21:
- Kentucky Kingdom uses PVC signage made from a material called Palite. This receives ink well and is then clear coated (like auto paint) to reduce fading.
- Woodford Reserve uses an aluminum signage material (the same material used for street signs) known as Dibond. Again, signs can be printed directly on Dibond and then clear coated.
- Depending on sun exposure, signs will last 6 to 10 years or much longer. Signs that get direct sunlight all day will fade fastest -- something we need to consider as placements are planned on various properties.
Eagle’s bid for clear-coated aluminum signs is $375-440 each. Nimlock Kentucky’s bid is $129 each. This is a very signficant difference in price, much as we found on the poster framing for the museum.
Suzanne Schimpeler is going to contact the Kentucky Historical Society and the Heritage Commission about their sources for historic signage. She is also going to explore whether the prison is still making signs and if they could help us with this project.
Posts were also discussed and Donna provided the following information about posts available from Metal Crafters. Posts are a big decision point, because they cost more than the signs themselves:
Total Metal Crafters cost for a 2.5" diameter 72" aluminum black pole with the the above finial, bracket and base is $394.38
Eagle Sign offers less choice in the way of posts, although all parts are aluminum. Metal Crafters offers some aluminum parts (caps, poles, bases) and some wrought iron (brackets). Eagle Sign products are highly recognizable and are being used for street signs in many subdivisions/cities in the Louisville Metro area. They are also significantly more expensive than Metal Crafters.
With so many decisions still to be made, there is no way to get a grant request in to the federal government by December 1. We also need to contact historic property/site owners to see if they would be interested in participating in the program and the best location for the marker on each property. Location will also affect the post purchases, since some locations may only require brackets for mounting on the side of stone columns (e.g. gates to the Kentucky College for Young Ladies, Undulata, the Kentucky Confederate Home walkway on Mt. Mercy) or on buildings (caboose, mail crane, Womans Club, Herdt Motors, Vet, Little Colonel Playhouse, Sweet Shop, etc.)
Kentucky Confederate Home Sign
Moving the sign out of the cemetery to its original location is a No Go with the Cemetery Board of Directors. On November 17, Donna Russell met with Jewell Manufacturing, a local metal fabrication company with plasma cutting capabilities, to see how much it would cost to create a reproduction for placement on the walkway remnant on Mt. Mercy.
Other Display Ideas
Jay Poole presented several concepts for building photo displays out of Edgewood’s old porch windows and barn wood he picked up from a relative in Nebraska. Pat Palmer and Ann Kyser will work with him on finalizing the plans for the displays This would enable us to display photos of all our National Register properties, characters and locations from the “Little Colonel” stories, many Kate Matthews photos, and possibly a special display on our historic African-American communities in Stumptown and Fraziertown.
Jay suggested that we consider covering the windows in Plexiglass for safety once the photos are in place. Mayor Bob Rogers noted that flooding is still sometimes an issue in Town Hall.
Eagle Sign offers less choice in the way of posts, although all parts are aluminum. Metal Crafters offers some aluminum parts (caps, poles, bases) and some wrought iron (brackets). Eagle Sign products are highly recognizable and are being used for street signs in many subdivisions/cities in the Louisville Metro area. They are also significantly more expensive than Metal Crafters.
With so many decisions still to be made, there is no way to get a grant request in to the federal government by December 1. We also need to contact historic property/site owners to see if they would be interested in participating in the program and the best location for the marker on each property. Location will also affect the post purchases, since some locations may only require brackets for mounting on the side of stone columns (e.g. gates to the Kentucky College for Young Ladies, Undulata, the Kentucky Confederate Home walkway on Mt. Mercy) or on buildings (caboose, mail crane, Womans Club, Herdt Motors, Vet, Little Colonel Playhouse, Sweet Shop, etc.)
Kentucky Confederate Home Sign
Moving the sign out of the cemetery to its original location is a No Go with the Cemetery Board of Directors. On November 17, Donna Russell met with Jewell Manufacturing, a local metal fabrication company with plasma cutting capabilities, to see how much it would cost to create a reproduction for placement on the walkway remnant on Mt. Mercy.
Other Display Ideas
Jay Poole presented several concepts for building photo displays out of Edgewood’s old porch windows and barn wood he picked up from a relative in Nebraska. Pat Palmer and Ann Kyser will work with him on finalizing the plans for the displays This would enable us to display photos of all our National Register properties, characters and locations from the “Little Colonel” stories, many Kate Matthews photos, and possibly a special display on our historic African-American communities in Stumptown and Fraziertown.
Jay suggested that we consider covering the windows in Plexiglass for safety once the photos are in place. Mayor Bob Rogers noted that flooding is still sometimes an issue in Town Hall.
This is Jay’s drawing of a folding screen using 8 of the windows, which would allow us to display 96 more photos:
Oral History of Vivien Reinhardt
Donna has never heard back from Dr. Doug Boyd, director of the Nunn Center, on getting audio equipment to perform the oral histories. Mayor Reinhardt is a priority right now and we need to complete this project quickly. We will use Norman’s video equipment rather than audio. Donna will work with Norman on November 27 to learn more about using his equipment and will set up a recording session with Mayor Reinhardt.
Stumptown History and Pewee Valley First Baptist Church
Donna Russell will help the Pewee Valley First Baptist Church develop a stronger history of their church and original Freedman’s Bureau school on Floydsburg Road. The goals are to:
Pewee Valley Cemetery East
Walter “Sunny” Gales will head the effort to get the Stumptown Community together with Aukrom Burton, Executive Director of the Kentucky Center for African-American Heritage. The project should hopefully lead to getting the necessary funding together for locating the graves in the cemetery and developing a better history of the African Americans buried there. The meeting is scheduled for December 9 at Pewee Valley First Baptist Church on Old Floydsburg Road. The meeting will be used to develop goals for the cemetery restoration project and a timeline for tasks that need to be completed over the next two years.
Donna Russell requested the help of Land Surveyor Albert Harrison in LaGrange to locate an old 1930s-era PVA plat book developed by the WPA at the Oldham County Courthouse. Map 53 in the book shows the cemetery after the road was built through it in 1889 but before Clovercroft Subdivision was built and Maple Avenue was extended. Mr. Harrison helped the Oldham County Clerk’s office locate the book. We have now received a copy of the map, which is posted on the website here: Ca. 1939 WPA Pewee Valley Plat Map
The Pewee Valley Cemetery East webpage at http://www.peweevalleyhistory.org/pv-cemetery-east.html was also updated to show how its shape has changed over time, using maps from 1879, 1907, the ca. 1939 WPA survey map and the 1953 District Map. The cemetery appears to have lost a bit over three acres since the land was originally purchased in 1871.
Chairs for Town Hall’s Porch
Donna Russell needs help to reglue the wooden chairs she acquired from The Gables after Frank Conn died so several can be used on the porch at Town Hall. What color do we want them painted? Cindy Trujillo suggested a sage green color similar to the door/trim on the 314 Exchange.
New Business
AFJ Induction in Kentucky Writers Hall of Fame
On January 31, 2018, author Annie Fellows Johnston will be inducted into the Kentucky Writers Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. at the Carnegie Center for Literacy & Learning in Lexington, Ky., located at 251 W. Second Street.
The Kentucky Writers Hall of Fame was started in 2013 to recognize Kentucky writers whose work reflects the character and culture of our commonwealth, and to educate Kentuckians about our state’s rich literary heritage. For a writer to have been eligible this year, he/she must be 1) published; 2) someone whose writing is of enduring stature; and 3) someone connected in a significant way to the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Among past inductees are Barbara Kingsolver, Wendell Berry, Hunter S. Thompson, Thomas Merton, and Johnston’s friend and fellow member of the Louisville Author’s Club Alice Hegan Rice, author of “Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch.” To learn more about past inductees, visit http://carnegiecenterlex.org/event/ky-writers-hall-fame-2017-induction-ceremony/
A flock? gaggle? of Peweeans may want to go to the ceremony together.
Setting the Meeting Date and Developing the Packets and Agenda for the First Sesquicentennial Planning Committee Meeting in January
The first meeting of the Sesquicentennial Planning Committee will be held January 16 or 23. Tuesday nights are preferable to Wednesdays for many of our church communities. Both dates are currently open on the city’s calendar.
Members will receive a packet of information that will include:
Donna has never heard back from Dr. Doug Boyd, director of the Nunn Center, on getting audio equipment to perform the oral histories. Mayor Reinhardt is a priority right now and we need to complete this project quickly. We will use Norman’s video equipment rather than audio. Donna will work with Norman on November 27 to learn more about using his equipment and will set up a recording session with Mayor Reinhardt.
Stumptown History and Pewee Valley First Baptist Church
Donna Russell will help the Pewee Valley First Baptist Church develop a stronger history of their church and original Freedman’s Bureau school on Floydsburg Road. The goals are to:
- Help the church obtain a State Historical Marker through the program being sponsored by the Oldham County Historical Society’s National Underground Railroad Network program. The markers (one per year) are paid for by Oldham County Tourism;
- Educate Peweeans about the church, school and Stumptown community through the PVHS website.
Pewee Valley Cemetery East
Walter “Sunny” Gales will head the effort to get the Stumptown Community together with Aukrom Burton, Executive Director of the Kentucky Center for African-American Heritage. The project should hopefully lead to getting the necessary funding together for locating the graves in the cemetery and developing a better history of the African Americans buried there. The meeting is scheduled for December 9 at Pewee Valley First Baptist Church on Old Floydsburg Road. The meeting will be used to develop goals for the cemetery restoration project and a timeline for tasks that need to be completed over the next two years.
Donna Russell requested the help of Land Surveyor Albert Harrison in LaGrange to locate an old 1930s-era PVA plat book developed by the WPA at the Oldham County Courthouse. Map 53 in the book shows the cemetery after the road was built through it in 1889 but before Clovercroft Subdivision was built and Maple Avenue was extended. Mr. Harrison helped the Oldham County Clerk’s office locate the book. We have now received a copy of the map, which is posted on the website here: Ca. 1939 WPA Pewee Valley Plat Map
The Pewee Valley Cemetery East webpage at http://www.peweevalleyhistory.org/pv-cemetery-east.html was also updated to show how its shape has changed over time, using maps from 1879, 1907, the ca. 1939 WPA survey map and the 1953 District Map. The cemetery appears to have lost a bit over three acres since the land was originally purchased in 1871.
Chairs for Town Hall’s Porch
Donna Russell needs help to reglue the wooden chairs she acquired from The Gables after Frank Conn died so several can be used on the porch at Town Hall. What color do we want them painted? Cindy Trujillo suggested a sage green color similar to the door/trim on the 314 Exchange.
New Business
AFJ Induction in Kentucky Writers Hall of Fame
On January 31, 2018, author Annie Fellows Johnston will be inducted into the Kentucky Writers Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. at the Carnegie Center for Literacy & Learning in Lexington, Ky., located at 251 W. Second Street.
The Kentucky Writers Hall of Fame was started in 2013 to recognize Kentucky writers whose work reflects the character and culture of our commonwealth, and to educate Kentuckians about our state’s rich literary heritage. For a writer to have been eligible this year, he/she must be 1) published; 2) someone whose writing is of enduring stature; and 3) someone connected in a significant way to the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Among past inductees are Barbara Kingsolver, Wendell Berry, Hunter S. Thompson, Thomas Merton, and Johnston’s friend and fellow member of the Louisville Author’s Club Alice Hegan Rice, author of “Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch.” To learn more about past inductees, visit http://carnegiecenterlex.org/event/ky-writers-hall-fame-2017-induction-ceremony/
A flock? gaggle? of Peweeans may want to go to the ceremony together.
Setting the Meeting Date and Developing the Packets and Agenda for the First Sesquicentennial Planning Committee Meeting in January
The first meeting of the Sesquicentennial Planning Committee will be held January 16 or 23. Tuesday nights are preferable to Wednesdays for many of our church communities. Both dates are currently open on the city’s calendar.
Members will receive a packet of information that will include:
- Results of the Sesquicentennial Survey
- Details of the City’s 1970 Centennial Celebration
- A City event calendar, showing the usual events in Pewee Valley every year – Yule Log, Movie in the Park, Summer Picnic, Tree Giveaway, Arts & Crafts Fair, etc.
- A list of the functions the committee will need to address, such as Fundraising and Budget, Event Planning, Publicity, Museum Exhibits and Tie-Ins, etc.
- A list of potential signature projects for the Sesquicentennial year
Pewee Valley Historical Society November Meeting Agenda
Tuesday, November 14, 2017, 7:00 p.m. at Town Hall
Tuesday, November 14, 2017, 7:00 p.m. at Town Hall
Old Business
Official Sesquicentennial Committee Formation
Definite yesses:
- Patti Neuremberger (former Call of the Pewee editor)
- Marsha Chadwick (Pewee Valley Woman’s Club)
- Janice Bell (Little Colonel Players)
- David Dick (grandson of Little Colonel Hattie Cochran)
- Tracee Dore (new resident, builder/interior designer)
- Dr. Thomas J. Clark, D.D. (long-time resident, PV Cemetery Board)
- Laura Hall (314 Exchange)
- Norman Schippert (PVHS and City Councilman)
- Bethany Major (PVHS and City Councilwoman)
- Jana Brizendine (PVHA and Environmental Board)
- Post Office (Andrea Braden)
Contacted:
- Carol Rose (declined)
- Joanie and Suzy Walser (email request sent – no response)
- Janora Curry (representative of the Pewee Valley First Baptist Church in Stumptown – we have contacted her mother, as Janora works nights)
- Volunteers from the Sesquicentennial Survey
- St. James Episcopal, Pewee Valley Presbyterian Church, St. Aloysius (awaiting names)
We still need to contact:
- Pewee Valley Vet (Bethany Major)
- Baptist Church on Ash Avenue (241-9496 – left message)
- Sycamore Chapel in Fraziertown (241-7712 – no answer, no answering machine)
- Seventh Day Adventists (241-0205 or Pastor John Johnston (731) 453-4284 – called and left message)
- Mormon Church (241-7377 – contacted via messenger on Facebook page)
- Pewee Valley Masonic Lodge
- South Oldham Lions (Donna Russell contacted via website)
- South Oldham Rotary Club (Donna Russell contacted via website)
- Chris Chandler ([email protected]) (Bethany Major)
- John Morgan (Suzanne Schimpeler has emailed)
- Ann Montgomery (Suzanne Schimpeler) (former City Treasurer and author of “35 Landmark Homes of Pewee Valley”)
Budget Expenditures To Date
Museum Acquisition:
“Household of Bouverie; Or, The Elixir of Gold by A Southern Lady” published in 1860 by Catharine Ware Warfield. The book was the first and most popular of ten novels she wrote while living in Pewee Valley at Beechmore/Jennie Casseday Rest Cottage/Mary Crain Hospital. Her last two were written the year she died. $8.99
Museum Acquisition:
Official Little Colonel Post Card of The Locust Avenue of Trees, featuring a 1906 photo by Kate Matthews. This gives the museum 5 official LC postcards. $10.00
Museum Acquisition:
Little Colonel “Big Little Book” missing cover for use of movie still illustrations for display in museum $5.00
Town Hall Gallery Signage:
16 Plaques for Artwork in Gallery at Town Hall from Manley Signs & Awards, LaGrange $320.00
Museum Signage:
Three custom museum signs from Signarama Northeast: Commercial Development in Pewee Valley, Annie Fellows Johnston & The Little Colonel, Noble Butler QR Code Explanatory Sign $95.40
Framing Little Colonel Movie Posters & Movie Stills from Big Little Book:
Hobby Lobby completed October 16 $680.40
Recent Museum Acquisitions
We need to make some decisions on what to do with two recent donations made by the Andrew Herdt family. First is the complete 1970s-era PV Police uniform. Pat Palmer has explored getting a free mannequin from her retail contacts, but has been unable to procure one. Donna Russell contacted the KHS, but struck out, too. We can purchase a mannequin for under $120, including shipping and will receive it prior to the Yule Log celebration:
We need to make some decisions on what to do with two recent donations made by the Andrew Herdt family. First is the complete 1970s-era PV Police uniform. Pat Palmer has explored getting a free mannequin from her retail contacts, but has been unable to procure one. Donna Russell contacted the KHS, but struck out, too. We can purchase a mannequin for under $120, including shipping and will receive it prior to the Yule Log celebration:
$94.46 + $13.35 ground
Total= $107.81
http://www.displays2go.com/P-33190/Male-Cheap-Mannequin-Painted-Facial-Features?st=Category&sid=28641
eBay $62.99 including shipping
https://www.ebay.com/p/Male-Full-Body-Realistic-Mannequin-Display-Head-Turns-Dress-Form-wBase-185/935790546?iid=391803729953
The second donation from the Andrew Herdt family is a very large city flag design that won first place in the 1970 centennial celebration, but was never made into a flag. The design was handpainted on cardboard and is so large it wouldn’t fit inside a sedan, but required an SUV to bring it to the museum. There are several possibilities for this piece:
- Hanging it in the Town Hall Gallery or elsewhere in the museum (it will require getting a huge sheet of UV resistant plexiglass to protect it and will take a huge amount of wall space) and either putting it on permanent display or saving it for a special Sesquicentennial Exhibit in 2020; or
- Seeing if we can get a home seamstress or a local company such as Oates Flag to make up a cloth version for the Sesquicentennial and fly it from the new pole outside Town Hall.
Historical Signage Program
We need to discuss and finalize the historical signage colors and design and decide on the posts to be used. Signs will measure 24” by 24” and will be printed flat on both sides (no upraised lettering, etc.). They will be categorized and color-themed as follows:
Symbols will be used to designate National Register properties and Little Colonel-related sites. Shelley is still working on the symbols and we have learned that the National Parks Service does not use a logo for their National Register of Historic Places program, so one will have to be designed for this project.
QR codes will be printed on removable stickers and placed on the Pewee Valley fencing at the bottom of the signs. This will enable the PVHS to change the coding if another technological advancement comes along that renders QR codes obsolete.
Final costs for the program will depend on our selection of posts, finials, etc. Suzanne Schimpeler has suggested we try to find a post similar to the post on the spine of “Mary Ware’s Promised Land,” shown at right.
We also need to set up a group to contact historic property/site owners to see if they would be interested in participating in the program and the best location for the marker on each property.
Mayor Bob Rogers requested a list of the signs we would like to see erected first. Members felt we should concentrate on the downtown area, where the Yule Log Celebration will be held in December. The potential list of signs for first-round installation could include:
Note that our Mayor has taken it upon himself to get new signage made for Town Hall that replicates the signage in Anchorage. The signage there is being used only to mark historic districts, City Hall and for street signs. It is unsuitable for a walking tour.
Funds for 2017-18 are limited. We have about $1,300 left in the budget this year – less after we purchase a mannequin. If we get the grant for the framing, we will have close to $2,000. We can also apply for additional grants from Oldham County and Oldham County Tourism once we get the final estimates. There is also another LARGE grant application we can make to Museums for America that can be used over a three-year period. See: http://www.klc.org/news/5226/Museums_for_America_Grants_for_Local_Museums_and_Libraries_-_Application_Deadline_is_December_1 Grant funding -- if we win it -- will not arrive in time for the 2017 Yule Log.
We need to discuss and finalize the historical signage colors and design and decide on the posts to be used. Signs will measure 24” by 24” and will be printed flat on both sides (no upraised lettering, etc.). They will be categorized and color-themed as follows:
- Historic Homes (42 total)
- Historic Businesses (11 total)
- Historic Churches & Cemeteries (7 total)
- Non-Extant Historic Sites (15 total)
Symbols will be used to designate National Register properties and Little Colonel-related sites. Shelley is still working on the symbols and we have learned that the National Parks Service does not use a logo for their National Register of Historic Places program, so one will have to be designed for this project.
QR codes will be printed on removable stickers and placed on the Pewee Valley fencing at the bottom of the signs. This will enable the PVHS to change the coding if another technological advancement comes along that renders QR codes obsolete.
Final costs for the program will depend on our selection of posts, finials, etc. Suzanne Schimpeler has suggested we try to find a post similar to the post on the spine of “Mary Ware’s Promised Land,” shown at right.
We also need to set up a group to contact historic property/site owners to see if they would be interested in participating in the program and the best location for the marker on each property.
Mayor Bob Rogers requested a list of the signs we would like to see erected first. Members felt we should concentrate on the downtown area, where the Yule Log Celebration will be held in December. The potential list of signs for first-round installation could include:
- Town Hall, 1897
- Telephone Exchange/314 Exchange, 1941
- Caboose, placed April 26, 1971
- Central Park, dedicated September 15, 2015
- Herdt Motors, 1910
- Sweet Shoppe, 301 LaGrange Road, 1905
- Mail Crane, manufactured 1892
- Pewee Valley Museum, est. 2014
- Kentucky Confederate Home, 1902-1934 (on Mt. Mercy by walkway remnant)
- Pewee Valley Post Office, ca. 1890-1990
- Train Depot, 1867-1960
- Pewee Valley State Bank, 218 Mt. Mercy Drive, 1910 (now the Pewee Valley Woman's Club)
- W.N. Jurey's General Store, 200 Mt. Mercy Drive, 1912
- Woodruff-Foley Brothers General Store, 220 Mt. Mercy Drive, ca. 1880
- Interurban, 1902-1935 (this could be placed on 314 Exchange property near drive)
- Old Mill, ca. 1850s (this could be placed in Central Park near the water feature, mural and millstone)
Note that our Mayor has taken it upon himself to get new signage made for Town Hall that replicates the signage in Anchorage. The signage there is being used only to mark historic districts, City Hall and for street signs. It is unsuitable for a walking tour.
Funds for 2017-18 are limited. We have about $1,300 left in the budget this year – less after we purchase a mannequin. If we get the grant for the framing, we will have close to $2,000. We can also apply for additional grants from Oldham County and Oldham County Tourism once we get the final estimates. There is also another LARGE grant application we can make to Museums for America that can be used over a three-year period. See: http://www.klc.org/news/5226/Museums_for_America_Grants_for_Local_Museums_and_Libraries_-_Application_Deadline_is_December_1 Grant funding -- if we win it -- will not arrive in time for the 2017 Yule Log.
Kentucky Confederate Home Sign
Moving the sign out of the cemetery to its original location is a No Go with the Cemetery Board of Directors. Donna Russell is meeting with a metal fabrication company to see how much it would cost to create a reproduction in aluminum, and will pass that information along to Roger Hack.
Other Display Ideas
Jay Poole to report on his concepts for building photo displays out of old porch windows from Edgewood.
Oral History of Vivian Reinhardt
Donna has never heard back from Dr. Doug Boyd, director of the Nunn Center, on getting audio equipment to perform the oral histories. Mayor Reinhardt is a priority right now and we need to complete this project quickly. We will use Norman’s video equipment rather than audio.
Stumptown History and Pewee Valley First Baptist Church
Janora Curry has had work conflicts with the past two PVHS meetings. We have asked her mother, Gloria Sanders, to attend this meeting and provide us with an update.
Pewee Valley Cemetery East
Suzanne Schimpeler to report.
Chairs for Town Hall’s Porch
Donna Russell needs help to reglue the wooden chairs she acquired from The Gables after Frank Conn died so two can be used on the porch at Town Hall. What color do we want them painted?
Moving the sign out of the cemetery to its original location is a No Go with the Cemetery Board of Directors. Donna Russell is meeting with a metal fabrication company to see how much it would cost to create a reproduction in aluminum, and will pass that information along to Roger Hack.
Other Display Ideas
Jay Poole to report on his concepts for building photo displays out of old porch windows from Edgewood.
Oral History of Vivian Reinhardt
Donna has never heard back from Dr. Doug Boyd, director of the Nunn Center, on getting audio equipment to perform the oral histories. Mayor Reinhardt is a priority right now and we need to complete this project quickly. We will use Norman’s video equipment rather than audio.
Stumptown History and Pewee Valley First Baptist Church
Janora Curry has had work conflicts with the past two PVHS meetings. We have asked her mother, Gloria Sanders, to attend this meeting and provide us with an update.
Pewee Valley Cemetery East
Suzanne Schimpeler to report.
Chairs for Town Hall’s Porch
Donna Russell needs help to reglue the wooden chairs she acquired from The Gables after Frank Conn died so two can be used on the porch at Town Hall. What color do we want them painted?
New Business
AFJ Induction in Kentucky Writers Hall of Fame
On January 31, 2018, author Annie Fellows Johnston will be inducted into the Kentucky Writers Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. at the Carnegie Center for Literacy & Learning in Lexington, Ky., located at 251 W. Second Street.
The Kentucky Writers Hall of Fame was started in 2013 to recognize Kentucky writers whose work reflects the character and culture of our commonwealth, and to educate Kentuckians about our state’s rich literary heritage. For a writer to have been eligible this year, he/she must be 1) published; 2) someone whose writing is of enduring stature; and 3) someone connected in a significant way to the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Among past inductees are Barbara Kingsolver, Wendell Berry, Hunter S. Thompson, Thomas Merton, and Johnston’s friend Alice Hegan Rice, author of “Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch” and a fellow member of the Louisville Authors Club. To learn more about past inductees, visit http://carnegiecenterlex.org/event/ky-writers-hall-fame-2017-induction-ceremony/
Setting the Meeting Date and Developing the Packets and Agenda for the First Sesquicentennial Planning Committee Meeting in January
AFJ Induction in Kentucky Writers Hall of Fame
On January 31, 2018, author Annie Fellows Johnston will be inducted into the Kentucky Writers Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. at the Carnegie Center for Literacy & Learning in Lexington, Ky., located at 251 W. Second Street.
The Kentucky Writers Hall of Fame was started in 2013 to recognize Kentucky writers whose work reflects the character and culture of our commonwealth, and to educate Kentuckians about our state’s rich literary heritage. For a writer to have been eligible this year, he/she must be 1) published; 2) someone whose writing is of enduring stature; and 3) someone connected in a significant way to the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Among past inductees are Barbara Kingsolver, Wendell Berry, Hunter S. Thompson, Thomas Merton, and Johnston’s friend Alice Hegan Rice, author of “Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch” and a fellow member of the Louisville Authors Club. To learn more about past inductees, visit http://carnegiecenterlex.org/event/ky-writers-hall-fame-2017-induction-ceremony/
Setting the Meeting Date and Developing the Packets and Agenda for the First Sesquicentennial Planning Committee Meeting in January
Pewee Valley Historical Society October Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, October 18, 2017, 7:00 p.m. at Town Hall
Wednesday, October 18, 2017, 7:00 p.m. at Town Hall
NEXT MEETING TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 7 P.M. AT TOWN HALL
Attending: Suzanne Schimpeler, Norman Schippert, Shelley Schippert, Bob Rogers, Jana Brizendine, Donna Russell
Old Business
Official Sesquicentennial Committee Formation
Suzanne Schimpeler has been hard at work contacting persons with a potential interest in serving on the Sesquicentennial Oversight/Planning Committee. She has contacted the Pewee Valley Presbyterian Church, St. James Episcopal and St. Aloysius and has been promised a representative from all three.
Definite yesses:
Contacted:
We still need to contact:
Official Sesquicentennial Committee Formation
Suzanne Schimpeler has been hard at work contacting persons with a potential interest in serving on the Sesquicentennial Oversight/Planning Committee. She has contacted the Pewee Valley Presbyterian Church, St. James Episcopal and St. Aloysius and has been promised a representative from all three.
Definite yesses:
- Patti Neuremberger (former Call of the Pewee editor)
- Marsha Chadwick (Pewee Valley Woman’s Club)
- Janice Bell (Little Colonel Players)
- David Dick (grandson of Little Colonel Hattie Cochran)
- Tracee Dore (new resident, builder/interior designer)
- Dr. Thomas J. Clark, D.D. (long-time resident, PV Cemetery Board)
- Laura Hall (314 Exchange)
- Norman Schippert (PVHS and City Councilman)
- Bethany Major (PVHS and City Councilwoman)
- Jana Brizendine (PVHS and Environmental Board)
- Physical Therapy Clinic
Contacted:
- Carol Rose (declined)
- Joanie and Suzy Walser (email request sent)
- Janora Curry (representative of the Pewee Valley First Baptist Church in Stumptown)
- Volunteers from the Sesquicentennial Survey (Suzanne has contacted all of them)
We still need to contact:
- Pewee Valley Vet (Bethany to contact)
- Post Office (Andrea Braden) (Donna Russell to contact)
- Baptist Church on Ash Avenue
- Sycamore Chapel in Fraziertown
- Seventh Day Adventists
- Mormon Church
- Ann Weingardt and Carol Goodrich (Suzanne to contact)
- Pewee Valley Masonic Lodge
- Kiwanis?
- Chris Chandler ([email protected]) (Bethany to contact)
- John Morgan (Suzanne to contact)
- Ann H. Montgomery (Suzanne to contact)
Budget Expenditures To Date:
Museum Acquisition:
“Household of Bouverie; Or, The Elixir of Gold by A Southern Lady” published in 1860 by Catharine Ware Warfield. The book was the first and most popular of ten novels she wrote while living in Pewee Valley at Beechmore/Jennie Casseday Rest Cottage/Mary Crain Hospital. Her last two were written the year she died. $8.99
Museum Acquisition:
Official Little Colonel Post Card of The Locust Avenue of Trees, featuring a 1906 photo by Kate Matthews. This gives the museum 5 official LC postcards. $10.00
Museum Acquisition:
Little Colonel “Big Little Book” missing cover for use of movie still illustrations for display in museum $5.00
Town Hall Gallery Signage:
16 Plaques for Artwork in Gallery at Town Hall from Manley Signs & Awards, LaGrange $320.00
Museum Signage:
Three custom museum signs from Signarama Northeast: Commercial Development in Pewee Valley, Annie Fellows Johnston & The Little Colonel, Noble Butler QR Code Explanatory Sign $95.40
Framing Little Colonel Movie Posters & Movie Stills from Big Little Book
Hobby Lobby completed October 16 $680.40
The framed posters and movie stills were hung at the Museum on 10/23 with the help of Glen Rowland.
Museum Acquisition:
“Household of Bouverie; Or, The Elixir of Gold by A Southern Lady” published in 1860 by Catharine Ware Warfield. The book was the first and most popular of ten novels she wrote while living in Pewee Valley at Beechmore/Jennie Casseday Rest Cottage/Mary Crain Hospital. Her last two were written the year she died. $8.99
Museum Acquisition:
Official Little Colonel Post Card of The Locust Avenue of Trees, featuring a 1906 photo by Kate Matthews. This gives the museum 5 official LC postcards. $10.00
Museum Acquisition:
Little Colonel “Big Little Book” missing cover for use of movie still illustrations for display in museum $5.00
Town Hall Gallery Signage:
16 Plaques for Artwork in Gallery at Town Hall from Manley Signs & Awards, LaGrange $320.00
Museum Signage:
Three custom museum signs from Signarama Northeast: Commercial Development in Pewee Valley, Annie Fellows Johnston & The Little Colonel, Noble Butler QR Code Explanatory Sign $95.40
Framing Little Colonel Movie Posters & Movie Stills from Big Little Book
Hobby Lobby completed October 16 $680.40
The framed posters and movie stills were hung at the Museum on 10/23 with the help of Glen Rowland.
Recent Museum Acquisitions
- Donna Russell has donated some 1938 Little Colonel paper dolls from a children’s magazine called Wee Wisdom; an article about the Little Colonel books, dolls and other merchandise spin-offs from the movie that is now posted to the website here: http://www.peweevalleyhistory.org/1990-doll-readers-magazine-little-colonel-the-book-and-the-dolls.html; and a 1935 composition book by Western Tablet and Stationery Corp. featuring Shirley Temple dressed as the Little Colonel on the cover. The items are now on display for the Little Colonel exhibit and the exhibit guides have been revised accordingly.
- John and Debbie Herdt donated their late father Andrew Herdt’s 1970s-era PV police uniform, complete with handcuffs and summer and winter hats. Also donated by the Andrew Herdt family was sister Julia’s 1970 Centennial award-winning design for a Pewee Valley flag that was never made. We are looking for a male mannequin to display the uniform.
Historical Signage Program
Shelley Schippert presented her designs for the historical signage. Signs will measure 24” by 24” and will be printed flat on both sides (no upraised lettering, etc.). They will be categorized and color-themed as follows:
Symbols will be used to designate National Register properties and Little Colonel-related sites. Shelley is still working on the symbols and we have asked the National Parks Service if there is a logo for their National Register of Historic Places program.
QR codes will be printed on removable stickers and placed on the Pewee Valley fencing at the bottom of the signs. This will enable the PVHS to change the coding if another technological advancement comes along that renders QR codes obsolete.
Shelley has worked with Nimlok Kentucky to get an estimate on pricing for the signs themselves and getting additional information on display stands. Some can be mounted on buildings, but many will need to be standalone. To view options and costs for various decorative sign posts, check out metalcraftindustries.net/decorative-poles-finials-and-bases/. The poles are more expensive than the signs themselves.
Shelley Schippert presented her designs for the historical signage. Signs will measure 24” by 24” and will be printed flat on both sides (no upraised lettering, etc.). They will be categorized and color-themed as follows:
- Historic Homes (42 total)
- Historic Businesses (11 total)
- Historic Churches & Cemeteries (7 total)
- Non-Extant Historic Sites (15 total)
Symbols will be used to designate National Register properties and Little Colonel-related sites. Shelley is still working on the symbols and we have asked the National Parks Service if there is a logo for their National Register of Historic Places program.
QR codes will be printed on removable stickers and placed on the Pewee Valley fencing at the bottom of the signs. This will enable the PVHS to change the coding if another technological advancement comes along that renders QR codes obsolete.
Shelley has worked with Nimlok Kentucky to get an estimate on pricing for the signs themselves and getting additional information on display stands. Some can be mounted on buildings, but many will need to be standalone. To view options and costs for various decorative sign posts, check out metalcraftindustries.net/decorative-poles-finials-and-bases/. The poles are more expensive than the signs themselves.
Estimate from Nimlok Kentucky
Mayor Bob Rogers requested a list of the signs we would like to see erected first. Members felt we should concentrate on the downtown area, where the Yule Log Celebration will be held in December. The potential list of signs for first-round installation could include:
There was some discussion about the amount of fundraising that would be required to pay for all the signs. Members suggested that historic property owners be given the opportunity to purchase their signs themselves, rather than waiting for the city to eventually get the money together. PVHS should probably concentrate initially on Non-Extant Historic Sites and City-owned properties.
Funds for 2017-18 are limited. We have about $1,300 left in the budget this year. If we get the grant for the framing, we will have close to $2,000. We can also apply for additional grants from Oldham County government and Oldham County Tourism once we get the final estimates.
- Town Hall, 1897
- Telephone Exchange/314 Exchange, 1941
- Caboose, placed April 26, 1971
- Central Park, dedicated September 15, 2015
- Herdt Motors, 1910
- Sweet Shoppe, 301 LaGrange Road, 1905
- Mail Crane, manufactured 1892
- Pewee Valley Museum, est. 2014
- Kentucky Confederate Home, 1902-1934 (on Mt. Mercy by walkway remnant)
- Pewee Valley Post Office, ca. 1890-1990
- Train Depot, 1867-1960
- Pewee Valley State Bank, 218 Mt. Mercy Drive, 1910 (now the Pewee Valley Woman's Club)
- W.N. Jurey's General Store, 200 Mt. Mercy Drive, 1912
- Woodruff-Foley Brothers General Store, 220 Mt. Mercy Drive, ca. 1880
- Interurban, 1902-1935 (this could be placed on 314 Exchange property near drive)
- Old Mill, ca. 1850s (this could be placed in Central Park near the water feature, mural and millstone)
There was some discussion about the amount of fundraising that would be required to pay for all the signs. Members suggested that historic property owners be given the opportunity to purchase their signs themselves, rather than waiting for the city to eventually get the money together. PVHS should probably concentrate initially on Non-Extant Historic Sites and City-owned properties.
Funds for 2017-18 are limited. We have about $1,300 left in the budget this year. If we get the grant for the framing, we will have close to $2,000. We can also apply for additional grants from Oldham County government and Oldham County Tourism once we get the final estimates.
Kentucky Historical Society Grant Application
The PVHS has applied for a grant to cover the cost of the movie poster framing. Donna Russell worked with City Clerk Laura Eichenberger on getting the grant ready. It was mailed on October 13. We should hear something the first week of December.
Oral History Grant
Suzanne Schimpeler will resubmit the oral history grant in December. She missed the September deadline.
Kentucky Confederate Home Sign
On October 14, Donna Russell met with Roger Hack at the PV Cemetery to look at the Kentucky Confederate Home sign. Based on that meeting, the following proposal for moving it back to its original location was sent to cemetery directors Dr. Tom Clark, Bert Stoess and Greg Rose.
A couple of months ago, Roger Hack, who owns the property on Mt. Mercy Drive, where the remnant of the old Kentucky Confederate Home walkway to the train depot and interurban railway depot is located, approached the Pewee Valley Historical Society about moving the antique walkway sign from the cemetery back to its original location.
At the Pewee Valley Historical Society’s last meeting on September 20, we were asked by Mayor Bob Rogers to get in contact with Dr. Tom Murphy to find out how to obtain approval from the Pewee Valley Cemetery Board for removing the signage from the cemetery and returning it to its original location.
There are four compelling reasons for moving it back to its original location:
Roger has agreed to do the work at his own expense. It would include:
Roger has spent several years cleaning up the walkway remnant. It is now free of the vines that were covering it up.
The Pewee Valley Historical Society endorses this project. We are asking the Pewee Valley Cemetery Board for permission to move the sign and get the work done. Mr. Hack would like to begin working on it as soon as possible.
On October 14, Donna Russell met with Roger Hack at the PV Cemetery to look at the Kentucky Confederate Home sign. Based on that meeting, the following proposal for moving it back to its original location was sent to cemetery directors Dr. Tom Clark, Bert Stoess and Greg Rose.
A couple of months ago, Roger Hack, who owns the property on Mt. Mercy Drive, where the remnant of the old Kentucky Confederate Home walkway to the train depot and interurban railway depot is located, approached the Pewee Valley Historical Society about moving the antique walkway sign from the cemetery back to its original location.
At the Pewee Valley Historical Society’s last meeting on September 20, we were asked by Mayor Bob Rogers to get in contact with Dr. Tom Murphy to find out how to obtain approval from the Pewee Valley Cemetery Board for removing the signage from the cemetery and returning it to its original location.
There are four compelling reasons for moving it back to its original location:
- The signage continues to confuse visitors to the Confederate Burying Ground as to the actual location of the Kentucky Confederate Home. Many visitors believe the home was once located in the cemetery, rather than off Central Avenue on the other side of the tracks. In fact, the current Wikipedia entry for the Kentucky Confederate Home erroneously states that, “Pewee Valley Confederate Cemetery is the site of the old Kentucky Confederate Home.” Moving the sign back to its original location will help dispel this belief.
- The City of Pewee Valley and the Pewee Valley Historical Society are actively planning for the city’s Sesquicentennial Celebration in 2020. This project is one of a number of projects under consideration that will contribute to preserving Pewee Valley’s historic appearance and telling residents and visitors our town’s story. Last year, the PVHS applied for a Kentucky Local History Trust Fund grant to place interpretive signage about the Kentucky Confederate Home in Central Park, but our application was denied. This is an easier fix and will cost the city and cemetery nothing. Interpretive signage cost has been estimated at $1,125.
- According to interviews conducted with B. Utley Murphy prior to her death, the signage was placed in the cemetery at some point prior to 1974, when it was found shot up and in a sinkhole by Sheriff Buford Renaker. He and Frank Conn (former member of the Town Council who lived at The Gables) had it restored and placed it in the cemetery to protect it. The metal sign is deteriorating and needs to be restored to preserve it for future generations.
- Moving the sign to its original location will place it in close proximity to several other historic attractions on Mt. Mercy Drive:
- The Pewee Valley Museum at Town Hall
- The Mail Crane
- The Caboose
- The millstone in Central Park
Roger has agreed to do the work at his own expense. It would include:
- Having the sign sandblasted, repaired and electrostatically repainted. His neighbor, Jay Parker, is an electrostatic painter, and Roger intends to work with him on the project.
- Removing the mounting poles from the cemetery.
- Placing the signage back in its original position on the stone pillars that flank the entry to the walkway remnant on his property.
Roger has spent several years cleaning up the walkway remnant. It is now free of the vines that were covering it up.
The Pewee Valley Historical Society endorses this project. We are asking the Pewee Valley Cemetery Board for permission to move the sign and get the work done. Mr. Hack would like to begin working on it as soon as possible.
We are waiting to hear back from the Board of Directors, but there are concerns that moving the sign will make it more susceptible to vandalism. Mayor Bob Rogers has discussed the project with Dr. Clark, and learned there is considerable resistance to moving the sign from its present “protected location” in the cemetery. The United Daughters of the Confederacy are also against the idea.
Another solution would be to find out how much it would cost to have the sign reproduced.
Another solution would be to find out how much it would cost to have the sign reproduced.
Other Display Ideas
The Pooles expect to pick up two of the windows currently being stored in the large bay at Town Hall the week of 10/23. They will use them to develop a prototype display for the Museum that will significantly increase the space the museum has for historic photos.
The Pooles expect to pick up two of the windows currently being stored in the large bay at Town Hall the week of 10/23. They will use them to develop a prototype display for the Museum that will significantly increase the space the museum has for historic photos.
New Business
Oral History of Vivian Reinhardt
Mayor Bob Rogers has requested that the PVHS get an oral history with our former mayor Vivian Reinhardt. We had been awaiting training from the League of Cities program, but he wants this done ASAP. Norman Schippert has volunteered the use of his video camera to record the interview. He has also downloaded a free video editing program called Lightworks that would enable us to insert images in the video.
Donna Russell has requested and received release forms and tips on conducting oral histories from Terri Johnson, who is heading up the League of Cities “City Stories Project.” Terri also contacted Dr. Doug Boyd, Director of the Nunn Center, which is the state’s repository for oral histories, to help guide us in terms of what we have to do to meet the Nunn Center’s requirements and possibly help with audio equipment that could be used as a backup to the video equipment. Donna hopes to hear from Dr. Boyd the week of 10/23.
Oral History of Vivian Reinhardt
Mayor Bob Rogers has requested that the PVHS get an oral history with our former mayor Vivian Reinhardt. We had been awaiting training from the League of Cities program, but he wants this done ASAP. Norman Schippert has volunteered the use of his video camera to record the interview. He has also downloaded a free video editing program called Lightworks that would enable us to insert images in the video.
Donna Russell has requested and received release forms and tips on conducting oral histories from Terri Johnson, who is heading up the League of Cities “City Stories Project.” Terri also contacted Dr. Doug Boyd, Director of the Nunn Center, which is the state’s repository for oral histories, to help guide us in terms of what we have to do to meet the Nunn Center’s requirements and possibly help with audio equipment that could be used as a backup to the video equipment. Donna hopes to hear from Dr. Boyd the week of 10/23.
Tips on Conducting Oral Histories
Oral History Release Form for Nunn Center at UK Libraries
There are many other Peweeans who should be interviewed, including John and D.D. Hendrickson, Carl Beard, Greg Rose, Bill Hirtzel and Dr. Tom Clark, just to name a few. There are also several residents of the Stumptown area who would be excellent for interviews. Getting oral histories from long-time residents was one of the suggestions we received from the Sesquicentennial Survey respondents. Interviewing Vivian would be a perfect way to get the project started.
Potential questions to ask Vivian:
Stumptown History and Pewee Valley First Baptist Church
Janora Curry did not attend the meeting, so no report was given.
Pewee Valley Cemetery East
Suzanne Schimpeler is making another attempt at getting work done in Pewee Valley Cemetery East. She has contacted Aukrom Burton, Executive Director of the Kentucky Center for African-American Heritage, who in turn suggested the PVHS work with Craig Potts on the Kentucky Heritage Council on getting the necessary funding together to locate the graves in the cemetery, etc. Craig Potts had several suggestions on ways to get the project funded, including:
Chairs for Town Hall’s Porch
Norman Schippert suggested it would be nice to have a chair or two on Town Hall’s front porch. Donna Russell is working on four antique wooden chairs she acquired from The Gables after Frank Conn died and would be willing to donate two to the city. They are stripped and need regluing and painting.
Potential questions to ask Vivian:
- What brought you to Oldham County and to Pewee Valley in particular? How many years have you lived here?
- What was Pewee Valley like when you first moved here? How was it different than today?
- What’s better? What’s worse?
- What civic activities did you get involved with during your life here?
- Tell me about your work on the Oldham County Planning Commission. How many years did you serve? What issues did you grapple with? Have you been satisfied with the way the issues have been resolved?
- What got you interested in running for mayor of Pewee Valley?
- What challenges was Pewee Valley facing during your tenure as mayor? What actions did you take to resolve them?
- What do you believe were your greatest accomplishments during your tenure as mayor?
- You are known as quite a gardener, and spent a lot of time and effort beautifying Pewee every year. Tell me how you first got interested in gardening and how you put your talents to use in the city.
- If you could give the residents of Pewee Valley advice for the future, what would you tell them?
- If you could give the City Council and Mayor advice for the future, what would you tell them?
Stumptown History and Pewee Valley First Baptist Church
Janora Curry did not attend the meeting, so no report was given.
Pewee Valley Cemetery East
Suzanne Schimpeler is making another attempt at getting work done in Pewee Valley Cemetery East. She has contacted Aukrom Burton, Executive Director of the Kentucky Center for African-American Heritage, who in turn suggested the PVHS work with Craig Potts on the Kentucky Heritage Council on getting the necessary funding together to locate the graves in the cemetery, etc. Craig Potts had several suggestions on ways to get the project funded, including:
- Working with the African-American community in Stumptown and Fraziertown to get them excited about the project
- Making the project a focus of our Sesquicentennial
- Turning the cemetery restoration into an educational project with WKET and getting it taught in Kentucky classrooms
- Having the entire project documented by the Kentucky Historical Society, so it becomes an official part of the record and of the commonwealth's history; historical interpretation is essential to the project's success
- Getting a National Historic Marker for the cemetery
- Answering the Big Question: What do we want, as a community, to commemorate the people buried here?
Chairs for Town Hall’s Porch
Norman Schippert suggested it would be nice to have a chair or two on Town Hall’s front porch. Donna Russell is working on four antique wooden chairs she acquired from The Gables after Frank Conn died and would be willing to donate two to the city. They are stripped and need regluing and painting.
Pewee Valley Historical Society Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, September 20, 2017, 7:00 p.m. at Town Hall
Wednesday, September 20, 2017, 7:00 p.m. at Town Hall
NEXT MEETING WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 7:00 P.M. AT TOWN HALL
Attending: Ann Kyser, Marsha Chadwick, Bethany Major, Suzanne Schimpeler, Donna Russell, Mayor Bob Rogers
Staffing for Museum on Saturday, August 5: 6-10 p.m.
Museum staffing for the Summer Festival was provided by Suzanne Schimpeler, Brad and Pat Palmer, and Donna Russell. Donna received some very positive feedback on the progress made with the museum exhibits/signage and gallery in Town Hall.
Formal Request to the Pewee Valley City Council for Permission to Set Up an Official Sesquicentennial Committee
Donna Russell and Bethany Major presented the project to City Council at their July 5 meeting, and a resolution was passed to form the committee. Bethany and Norman Schippert will serve on it as representatives of City Council. We need to get an overseeing committee started that includes representatives of the city, key community organizations, and business people who can help with fundraising and logistical issues. There was lively debate about who to include on the steering committee and how big the committee should be.
Mayor Bob Rogers noted that all the people on committees may need to be protected under the City's insurance when they are doing work for the Sesquicentennial Celebration. Bethany Major volunteered to get a legal opinion about that. Bob also noted any official subcommittee meetings will be subject to open meetings laws, which require meeting announcements and postings of meeting minutes. This is something that we need to consider as we develop the structure of the Sesquicentennial Committee.
Suzanne Schimpeler suggested that work groups could be created to work on each event planned during the sesquicentennial year of 2020. Bethany Major suggested that the events be planned around the city's annual events, such as the tree giveaway, Yule Log, summer picnic, Movie in the Park nights, and Oldham County Day, with some additional events possibly thrown in, such as an event around March 14, the 150th anniversary of our first city charter from the Commonwealth.
Bob Rogers also suggested that the Sesquicentennial Committee find a way to honor past mayors, such as Vivian Reinhardt, who has given so much of her time to the City and Oldham County.
Suggestions on who might be tapped to serve on the Sesquicentennial Steering Committee included:
- Norman Schippert, City Councilman and PVHS member
- Bethany Major, City Councilwoman and PVHS member
- Mayor Bob Rogers, as an ex officio
- John Morgan, Humana executive, business connections, PVHS member
- Wayne Allen, from Edgewood Manor Subdivision, businessman, has volunteered to be involved with the sesquicentennial, excellent track record in his volunteer work with the Edgewood HOA
- Tom Clark, long-time Pewee Valley resident and a member of the Pewee Valley Cemetery Board
- Scott Hagan, businessman
- Little Colonel Playhouse (they have appointed Janice Bell as their representative)
- Pewee Valley Woman’s Club (they have appointed Marsha Chadwick as their representative)
- Donna Russell, Town Historian
- Carol Chaudoin Goodrich and/or Ann Chaudoin Weingardt (daughters of our former PV Historian Virginia Herdt Chaudoin)
- Shelley Schippert (she is PVHS's graphic designer)
- Carol Rose
- David Dick, direct descendant of Hattie Cochran, attorney, interest in his family’s history and the museum (he has already agreed to serve)
- Joanie or Suzy Walser (long-time residents with a past history of community service)
- Kevin and Laura Hall (owners of the 314 Exchange venue)
- Chris Chandler, experience with the City's Environmental Board
- All of the people who volunteered to work on the project when they completed the survey (Suzanne has contacted all of them)
- Tracee Dore, new resident of Pewee Valley and a builder/designer
- Representatives from all the churches in Pewee Valley (Suzanne will contact St. Aloysius, St. James and PV Presbyterian, Donna Russell will contact Pewee Valley First Baptist Church; still need people to contact Seventh Day Adventists, Baptist Church on Ash Avenue and Floydsburg Road, and the Mormon Church on Hwy. 22)
- Representatives from all PV businesses such as the PV Veterinary, the PV Post Office, etc.
The goal is to get the group together for the first meeting in January 2018.
Budget Expenditures To Date
Museum Acquisition:
“Household of Bouverie; Or, The Elixir of Gold by A Southern Lady” published in 1860 by Catharine Ware Warfield. The book was the first and most popular of ten novels she wrote while living in Pewee Valley at Beechmore/Jennie Casseday Rest Cottage/Mary Crain Hospital. Her last two were written the year she died. $8.99
Museum Acquisition:
Official Little Colonel Post Card of The Locust Avenue of Trees, featuring a 1906 photo by Kate Matthews. This gives the museum 5 official LC postcards. $10.00
Museum Acquisition:
Little Colonel “Big Little Book” missing cover for use of movie still illustrations for display in museum $5.00
Town Hall Gallery Signage:
16 Plaques for Artwork in Gallery at Town Hall from Manley Signs & Awards, LaGrange $320.00
Museum Signage:
Three custom museum signs from Signarama Northeast: Commercial Development in Pewee Valley, Annie Fellows Johnston & The Little Colonel, Noble Butler QR Code Explanatory Sign $95.40
Response to Feedback from a Museum Visitor
Museum Acquisition:
“Household of Bouverie; Or, The Elixir of Gold by A Southern Lady” published in 1860 by Catharine Ware Warfield. The book was the first and most popular of ten novels she wrote while living in Pewee Valley at Beechmore/Jennie Casseday Rest Cottage/Mary Crain Hospital. Her last two were written the year she died. $8.99
Museum Acquisition:
Official Little Colonel Post Card of The Locust Avenue of Trees, featuring a 1906 photo by Kate Matthews. This gives the museum 5 official LC postcards. $10.00
Museum Acquisition:
Little Colonel “Big Little Book” missing cover for use of movie still illustrations for display in museum $5.00
Town Hall Gallery Signage:
16 Plaques for Artwork in Gallery at Town Hall from Manley Signs & Awards, LaGrange $320.00
Museum Signage:
Three custom museum signs from Signarama Northeast: Commercial Development in Pewee Valley, Annie Fellows Johnston & The Little Colonel, Noble Butler QR Code Explanatory Sign $95.40
Response to Feedback from a Museum Visitor
- Laura Eichenberger updated our Google Maps listing with a new photo and changed the listing title from “Pewee Valley City Hall” to “Pewee Valley Town Hall & Pewee Valley Museum.” Hours and contact information were added.
- A listing for the museum was added to the citywide information site at http://www.citywideinformation.com/citydirectory.php?state=KY&cityname=Pewee_Valley&o=13#.WVLLZmjyvcs
- Laura has uploaded information about the museum to the Kentucky Tourism website. It can now be viewed at: http://www.kentuckytourism.com/pewee-valley-museum/395871/
- The same information, along with a lot of pictures, was sent to Oldham County Tourism. Kim Buckler, director of tourism, is working on updating that site.
- A listing under “Attractions” has also been requested from the Oldham County Chamber of Commerce. We are working with Kenisha Kelsey on it.
- Museum information has been added to the footer of the Pewee Valley Historical Society’s website and is now included on the home page of the City of Pewee Valley’s site. In addition, the museum has been given its own page on the site, under Places in the navigation, and links have been added to many other pages directing web traffic to the museum.
- We still desperately need exterior signage. Bob Rogers is having a sign made for Town Hall.
- Jana Brizendine suggested we add a container for people to make donations if they choose to do so after visiting the museum. A visitors’ book might also be a good addition.
Recent Updates to Website
- Washburne-Waterfill House
- Pewee Valley State Bank page updated with information about the first cashier, Horace Pollack, who was on the job the first two times the bank was robbed and built the home still standing at 112 Mt. Mercy Drive (better known as the Norman Clark house)
- Angela Lasseigne allowed the PVHS to photograph several Kate Matthews oil and pastel paintings owned by her family and a portrait of Lilian Fletcher (before she married Charles Brackett) painted by Herbert Ross
- Ross Woods: Van Horne-Ross House page was significantly expanded to include more details about the Ross family and Herbert Ross’ art
- Two humorous pages about what it was like to ride the Accommodation Train were added, one written by a CJ reporter in 1892 and another written by the late Iris Haskins in 1968 called The Little Train of Long Ago
- A plat showing the relocation of an African American graveyard from Brownsboro to Pewee Valley Cemetery East in 1967 was added to the Maps and the pages on Pewee Valley Cemetery East and Pewee Valley Cemetery have been expanded
- A plat showing the 1926 subdivision of the Pewee Valley Athletic Club property on Maple Avenue was added to the Maps section
Recent Museum Acquisitions
Jana Brizendine has suggested that we start publishing information about museum acquisitions in the Call of the Pewee. Paula Kennedy has agreed to publish them as space permits and has been sent the list of donations dating back to last fall.
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Historical Signage Program
List of potential properties for signage below. Shelley Schippert did not attend so no report was given on the signage program.
Central Avenue Historic District
Ashwood Avenue Historic District
Wooldridge Avenue-LaGrange Road Area (not all are on the register)
Other National Register Properties
Other Non-Extant Historic Sites
Potential Additional Properties
Zaring House (310 Ash Avenue)
Sherman House (116 Rollington Road)
Garrett Foley House (138 Rollington)
130 Rollington Road (created from first St. Al’s Church building)
Old Toll House (134 Rollington Road)
Burger House (119 Rest Cottage)
Samuel Curle House (332 Maple)
Blacksmith Shop (no longer extant on Central Avenue)
George Fisher House (Rollington Road at Houston)
Saylor House (6929 LaGrange Road in front of Locust)
Framing for Movie Memorabilia Posters and Lobby Card
Bids have been received for framing the following Little Colonel movie items from Bluegrass Frames, 4542 Taylorsville Road, and Hobby Lobby, Shelbyville Road in Middletown. The items will be framed in black metal suitable for posters, will have archival backing and no matting except for the collage of movie images. Difference between archival glass and museum glass is glare. Museum glass is glare free. Both protect 100% from UV rays.
The PVHS decided to go ahead with the museum glass and Suzanne Schimpeler took the items to Hobby Lobby for framing.
List of potential properties for signage below. Shelley Schippert did not attend so no report was given on the signage program.
Central Avenue Historic District
- James Foley House, 212 Mt. Mercy Drive, ca. 1875
- Pewee Valley State Bank, 218 Mt. Mercy Drive, 1910 (now the Pewee Valley Woman's Club)
- Woodside, 110 Central Avenue, ca. 1857
- Bemersyde, 114 Central Avenue, ca. 1857
- Sunnyside/Edgewood, 114 Edgewood Way, ca. 1858
- Twigmore, 121 Peach Lane, 1923
- Peace Farm, 100 Peace Lane, ca. 1880
- Genevieve and Alfred Chesheir House, 120 Peace Lane, 1923
- The Beeches, 125 Central Avenue, 1902
- The Gables, 121 Central Avenue, 1895
- W.N. Jurey's General Store, 200 Mt. Mercy Drive, 1912
- Woodruff-Foley Brothers General Store, 220 Mt. Mercy Drive, ca. 1880
Ashwood Avenue Historic District
- Washburne-Waterfill House, 100 Ash Avenue, 1902
- Washburne-Swan House, 106 Ash Avenue, 1905
- William Logsdan House, 110 Ash Avenue, 1936
- Carrie D. Coleman House, 112 Ash Avenue, ca. 1911
- Truman-Nock House, 116 Ash Avenue, ca. 1890
- Sherman and Corey Jurey Weatherly House, 111 Ash Avenue, 1905
- 115 Ash Avenue, ca. 1905
- Mary Cleland House, 117 Ash Avenue, ca. 1915
- Charles Hoffman House, 121 Ash Avenue, ca. 1916
Wooldridge Avenue-LaGrange Road Area (not all are on the register)
- Muir-Fetter House, 400 LaGrange Road, 1905 (don’t know what to do about this – current house is 1905, earlier house on same foundation dates to ca. 1856 and there remain problems with putting information about the house on the website – I have gotten around the problem by putting information about the owners out under the People section)
- Truman-Miller-Richard House, 500 LaGrange Road, ca. 1870
- Wooldridge-Briggs House, 305 Wooldridge Avenue, ca. 1905
- Wooldridge-Rose House, 315 Wooldridge Avenue, ca. 1905* NR
- The Locust, 6917 LaGrange Road, ca. 1800* NR
- Haywood House, 6901 LaGrange Road, ca. 1910
- Rush-Gheens House, 13608 LaGrange Road, ca. 1871
- Gheens-Becker House, LaGrange Road, ca. 1880
Other National Register Properties
- William Alexander Smith House, 108 Mt. Mercy Drive, 1860
- St. James Episcopal Church, 401 LaGrange Road, 1869
- St. Aloysius Church, 201 Mt. Mercy Drive, 1914
- Dr. Thomas C. Peebles House, 114 Maple Avenue, ca. 1870
- George Miller House, 331 Central Avenue, ca. 1873
- Van Horn-Ross House, 138 Rosswoods Drive, 1870
- Tanglewood, 417 LaGrange Road, 1869
- Bondurant-Hustin House, 104 Castlewood Drive, 1885
- Joseph H. Ellis House, 320 Maple Avenue, ca. 1890
- Forrester-Duvall House, 115 Old Forest Road, ca. 1908
- "Sweet Shoppe" 301 LaGrange Road, 1905
- The Confederate Burying Ground, Maple Avenue near Floydsburg Road, est. 1904
- Telephone Exchange/314 Exchange, 1941
- Caboose, placed April 26, 1971
- Cedarhurst – The Barbee Home (this is outside Pewee Valley and might be a problem), ca. 1800
- Central Park, dedicated September 15, 2015
- Little Colonel’s Cottage – needs title search and we are going to try to get this on the National Register
- Lockhart-Martin House – needs title search, probably 1850s
- Pewee Valley First Baptist Church (this is outside Pewee Valley and could be a problem), 1867
- George Metz House – needs title search, ca. 1860
- Herdt Motors, 1910
- Mail Crane, manufactured 1892
- Norris Summers House, 1905
- Pewee Valley Museum, est. 2014
- Pewee Valley Cemetery East , est. 1904 as the official black cemetery, but was part of the original Pewee Valley Cemetery, est. 1871
- Rollington, est. 1830s
- Schuler House, ca. 1850s
- Sycamore Chapel (this is outside Pewee Valley and could be a problem), 1873
- Town Hall, 1897
- Wooldridge Hunting Lodge, ca. 1905
Other Non-Extant Historic Sites
- Beechmore/Jennie Casseday Rest Cottage/Mary Crain Private Hospital, ca. 1830-1991
- Clovercroft, ca. 1866-1958
- Interurban (this could be placed with the interurban shelter if we can get it donated and moved), 1902-1935
- Kentucky College for Young Ladies, ca. 1850s-1900
- Kentucky Confederate Home,1902-1934
- Martha's Vineyard, ca. 1900- (I would have to ask what year it was torn down)
- McAfee Log Cabin need to do title search
- James Miller House /Burge Place/Mt. Mercy Camp & Boarding School, ca. 1857-1983
- Old Mill (no longer extant), ca. 1850s
- Pewee Valley Hospital and Sanitarium, 1925-March 15, 1975
- Pewee Valley Post Office, ca. 1890-1990
- Pewee Valley School, 1892-?
- Railroad Section House, ca. 1870-2005
- Train Depot 1867-1960
- Undulata, ca. 1850-1920 (we could place sign at the old gate to the property on Peace Lane)
- Villa Ridge Inn, 1889-1901 (we could place sign at original main drive next to PV Presbyterian)
Potential Additional Properties
Zaring House (310 Ash Avenue)
Sherman House (116 Rollington Road)
Garrett Foley House (138 Rollington)
130 Rollington Road (created from first St. Al’s Church building)
Old Toll House (134 Rollington Road)
Burger House (119 Rest Cottage)
Samuel Curle House (332 Maple)
Blacksmith Shop (no longer extant on Central Avenue)
George Fisher House (Rollington Road at Houston)
Saylor House (6929 LaGrange Road in front of Locust)
Framing for Movie Memorabilia Posters and Lobby Card
Bids have been received for framing the following Little Colonel movie items from Bluegrass Frames, 4542 Taylorsville Road, and Hobby Lobby, Shelbyville Road in Middletown. The items will be framed in black metal suitable for posters, will have archival backing and no matting except for the collage of movie images. Difference between archival glass and museum glass is glare. Museum glass is glare free. Both protect 100% from UV rays.
The PVHS decided to go ahead with the museum glass and Suzanne Schimpeler took the items to Hobby Lobby for framing.
Kentucky Historical Society Grant Application
We want to request a grant from the Kentucky Historical Society to pay for the movie memorabilia framing at the PV Museum. The KHS grant application is due October 13. Donna Russell is responsible for getting the grant written and turned in.
Other Display Ideas
Donna Russell and Shelley Schippert met at the museum on July 21 to discuss what could be done to better utilize and organize the space. Shelley suggested two new “header” signs – one for the area devoted to the city’s commercial development and one for the area devoted to Annie Fellows Johnston and the “Little Colonel” stories -- plus signage with instructions on how to utilize QR codes. The framed movie posters and lobby cards will be hung beneath the AFJ and Little Colonel sign.
Another idea was developing an inexpensive floor display using vintage windows from Edgewood. On August 21, Donna met with the Pooles, who own the house next to Central Park that features all the wooden holiday scenes. J. and his wife are willing to help us build a “folding screen” type display out of the windows for the museum and some old barn wood they got from a relative. They will develop sketches for us. However, work cannot begin on it until mid-October due to their schedule. The windows have been cleaned up and are being stored in the large fire bay at Town Hall.
The screen could be used for the National Register districts and properties, Kate Matthews photos, photos of the historic African American settlements of Frazier Town and Stumptown, etc. Each of the screen’s panels would provide us with 24 spots for photos – 12 on each side. We have 10 windows to work with that could be used for a total of 5 panels max. Plus an additional storm door insert with 8 window panes that could be used to highlight AFJ’s Little Colonel books near the bookcase in the back.
Glenn Rowland is still working on ideas on how to safely hang the Herdt Motor Company sign without damaging it or endangering visitors.
We want to request a grant from the Kentucky Historical Society to pay for the movie memorabilia framing at the PV Museum. The KHS grant application is due October 13. Donna Russell is responsible for getting the grant written and turned in.
Other Display Ideas
Donna Russell and Shelley Schippert met at the museum on July 21 to discuss what could be done to better utilize and organize the space. Shelley suggested two new “header” signs – one for the area devoted to the city’s commercial development and one for the area devoted to Annie Fellows Johnston and the “Little Colonel” stories -- plus signage with instructions on how to utilize QR codes. The framed movie posters and lobby cards will be hung beneath the AFJ and Little Colonel sign.
Another idea was developing an inexpensive floor display using vintage windows from Edgewood. On August 21, Donna met with the Pooles, who own the house next to Central Park that features all the wooden holiday scenes. J. and his wife are willing to help us build a “folding screen” type display out of the windows for the museum and some old barn wood they got from a relative. They will develop sketches for us. However, work cannot begin on it until mid-October due to their schedule. The windows have been cleaned up and are being stored in the large fire bay at Town Hall.
The screen could be used for the National Register districts and properties, Kate Matthews photos, photos of the historic African American settlements of Frazier Town and Stumptown, etc. Each of the screen’s panels would provide us with 24 spots for photos – 12 on each side. We have 10 windows to work with that could be used for a total of 5 panels max. Plus an additional storm door insert with 8 window panes that could be used to highlight AFJ’s Little Colonel books near the bookcase in the back.
Glenn Rowland is still working on ideas on how to safely hang the Herdt Motor Company sign without damaging it or endangering visitors.
Kentucky Confederate Home Sign
The PVHS was approached by Roger Hack (639-9678), who owns the property where the remnant of the old Confederate Home walkway is on Mt. Mercy Drive. He has cleared off the walkway and would like to see the sign restored to where it used to be, mounted from the stone pillars. It is now in the PV Cemetery by the Confederate burying ground, where it was placed after restoration by Frank Conn and Buford Renaker, who rescued it many years ago.
The location causes some confusion with people who are visiting the cemetery and believe the Home was located there before it burned. Wikipedia, in fact, incorrectly states that the home was on the cemetery property.
This will require permission from the PV Cemetery directors. It could require working with the UDC and SCV, who care for the cemetery, as well. And the Commonwealth of Kentucky might also have a stake in this, since the state owns the plot. Mayor Bob Rogers suggested starting the discussion with Dr. Tom Clark who is on the PV Cemetery Board (5022418096).
If permission is received, who would pay to relocate the sign? Is this something Mr. Hack is willing to do himself?
Sesquicentennial Survey Results
We received a total of 66 surveys. Surveys that were completed manually were entered into the online survey form by Town Clerk Laura Eichenberger so no manual tabulation would be required.
Would you be interested in:
Showings of the 1935 “The Little Colonel” movie starring Shirley Temple? Museum exhibit featuring items and newspaper clips from the 1970 Centennial? Sponsorship of a photography contest featuring Pewee Valley people and places? An ice cream social? Games from the 1870s for kids and adults to try? A garden tour in Pewee Valley and Crestwood? Developing a series of special events (1 per month) during the summer months and school-related events during the school year with the participation of local churches and businesses? Local art exhibits featuring (on loan) works from Herbert Ross, Mary Gardner Johnston and more recent artists in Pewee Valley? Having the Little Colonel Players perform the “Little Colonel of Lloydsboro Valley?” Offering a Little Colonel field trip to Oldham County schools that could combine a visit to the museum with a walking tour of historic sites and other activities for children/youths? A Kate Matthews photo exhibit to become a permanent display at Town Hall? Sponsorship of an art contest for children and adults in conjunction with the Pewee Valley Woman’s Club? Turning the city into a virtual museum through a signage program for National Register and other historic sites? A farm to table dinner possibly sponsored by one of our local churches? Working with the South Oldham Library on a summer reading program? Hot air balloon short up and down rides? Learning more about the Grape Growers of Pewee Valley? A choral concert? Sponsorship of an essay contest on Annie Fellows Johnston for 4th and 5th graders at St. Aloysius/Pewee Valley Academy/Crestwood Elementary with prizes? Creating a special quilt that celebrates Pewee Valley’s history? Pet parade, possibly sponsored by the Pewee Valley Vet? Little Colonel look-alike contest/parade? |
Yes
83% 83% 83% 80% 79% 77% 76% 76% 74% 74% 74% 74% 71% 71% 65% 65% 65% 61% 58% 58% 56% 53% |
No
17% 17% 17% 20% 21% 23% 24% 24% 26% 26% 26% 26% 29% 29% 35% 35% 35% 39% 42% 42% 44% 47% |
Write-in Suggestions for Historical Topic Lectures/Tours
Other Event Suggestions/Ideas
- history of the railroad thru Peewee Valley
- Founding of Pewee Valley; train mail
- Shirley Temple, How & when the towns name was changed, history of the little colonel playhouse, histories of local graveyards, how the civil war affected the area
- Have a walking tour of the Confederate Cemetery and the site of the Confederate home conducted by a knowledgeable individual.
- What is next for Pewee Valley?
- Confederate cemetery
- History of the Confederate Home, Early families in the area
- Founding of Pewee Valley
- Industry then and now. The changing face of demographics in our area from an historical perspective
Other Event Suggestions/Ideas
- Recognize residents that have lived in Pewee 50 years & more
- Monthly walking tours, cemetery walks in October
- I liked the maps that were available at the caboose that allowed people to drive to the various historic homes and gave a brief history. I think a self guided tour pamphlet would be better than a virtual tour. Maybe a walking route or bike route highlighted on a map.
- More free events like the lighting of the Yule log, I liked the essay idea but voted no since it was only for private school students, maybe a small carnival like they used to have sometimes in front of IGA or in Crestwood Station- even if you have no room for rides you could still do carnival games & raffles etc...have you thought about a parade? Or doing a writing contest in the Oldham Era or Roundabout? A special peewee Valley newspaper? I would contribute
- Advertising in some way for for residents to share their memories of growing up / living in Pewee Valley. Written and / or photos. Invitation to all former residents to a potluck picnic. This could be a wonderful way to reconnect with old neighbors and friends. A "Whatever Happened To?"
- Art contest should include all elementary schools in the Pewee and Crestwood areas.
- Time capsule
- Love the ice cream social idea, perhaps have a monthly social either ice cream or coco etc, donuts
- Gardening classes at Central Park. Little Colonel movie in the Park.
List of Volunteers
Name
Alice & Charles Booker Dr. Jake Szatkowsi April DuRoss Angela Lasseigne Pattie Read Denise Haney Wayne and Lydia Allen William Frentz Kacie Frentz |
Address
Post Office Box 618 8139 Iowa Gulch Morrison CO 80465 100 E. Madison St. Apt. 0, LaGrange, KY 40031 108 peace lane 113 Edgewood Way 107 Sedley Court 104 Tulip Avenue, Pewee Valley, KY 40056 104 Tulip Avenue, Pewee Valley, KY 40056 |
Phone
502 241-6000 720-217-8817 502 249-3147 502 396 6373 502-297-8633 502-241-4999 648-3270 cell 502-759-4806 cell |
Pewee Valley Historical Society Meeting Agenda
Wednesday, July 12, 2017, 7:00 p.m. at Town Hall
Wednesday, July 12, 2017, 7:00 p.m. at Town Hall
Old Business
Formal Request to the Pewee Valley City Council for Permission to Set Up an Official Sesquicentennial Committee: Donna Russell and Bethany Major will present the project to City Council at their July 5 meeting. The attached information packet was distributed to council members by City Clerk Laura Eichenberger on June 28.
Virtual Museum/Signage Project: Shelley Schippert to present design ideas.
Kentucky Oral History Commission Grant:
We did not get the grant. We have been asked to resubmit it for a lower amount.
Application for the Kentucky League of Cities City Stories Project:
We were not chosen as one of the 10 cities for the inaugural oral history program; however, we will be given the opportunity to participate in the program later this year. Terri Johnson, Senior Marketing & Communications Manager for the Kentucky League of Cities, emailed:
Good afternoon-
Thank you for submitting an idea the Kentucky League of Cities/University of KY Nunn Center “City Stories” project. We had 22 entries!
Dr. Doug Boyd from the Nunn Center has decided to help ALL of our entries develop their oral histories. That said, we did select a group of 10 cities to participate in the initial pilot project this summer. While your city was not selected for that group, we will be back in touch in to see if you want to move ahead on an oral history. So, although you won’t be among the pilot group, you will be able to receive assistance with a local oral history within coming months.
Thanks again for your interest and I will be in touch with you as we get closer to training for you. Don’t hesitate to contact me should you have questions in the meantime.
New Business
Staffing Needed for Museum on Saturday, August 5: 6-10 p.m.
For the 2017 Summer Festival
Feedback from a Museum Visitor:
We received the following feedback from Annie Fellows Johnston fan Mr. Gerard (Jake) Szatkowski, who visited the museum in May while passing through from Denver:
I stumbled on the museum webpage from when I was reading her biography. I read about Pewee Valley and thought she would be buried there - but I found she was buried in Evansville. But the more I looked into the history of Pewee Valley - I didn't even know it really existed. When I found it and it was on my travel plans - well I just had to stop by.
Most people in the town did not know the museum was there and I stumbled onto an elderly gent who told me it was in the court house. The web site does not have an address - only says that is next to the court house and no address. You need a sign out on the building! I drove past it 3-4 times and decided that all I could do was bang on the door. A phone number contact or email would be good too.
More movie material would be wonderful. And a walking tour would be huge! I loved the brochures. But I got confused as to what is still there and what has been destroyed. Maybe a "then and now" display would be helpful too.
I didn't recall seeing much about Annie's life biography - did I miss it? A grand section on her life and travels…and anything biographical about the other folks she patterned in her novels?
also the cemetery - is there anyone of note in the old cemetery? A self-walking tour for that would be very nice.
I also loved the mill mural and water feature in the back - got to see it briefly. Is there any part of the old mill left? could be a nice addition to the park….
Immediate actions taken:
The movie memorabilia is also being worked on. We have the new lobby poster from John Morgan and Donna Russell has purchased several vintage and reproduction movie posters from eBay. Poster frames are cheap and we could hang them in the corner above the doll case and baby buggy.
The comprehensive AFJ biography and photo display of then/now sites are another story. Any ideas on how to accomplish this in limited space?
New Acquisitions for the Museum:
Recent Updates to Website
Contact from Richard Horace Pollock, Descendant of Horace Pollock, Cashier for Pewee Valley State Bank
Dick Pollock emailed Suzanne and Donna about the Pewee Valley State Bank page on the website. He corrected the misspelling of the Pollock surname and has some additional information/family stories he wants to share. We are asking him to share digital copies of family and other Pewee Valley photos he may have, and which house the Pollocks owned on Mt. Mercy Drive.
2017-18 Budget: It’s a new fiscal year and we have $2,400 in our budget. Here are some projects members have suggested to improve the museum:
Town Hall Gallery Signage Estimate:
At the May meeting, several people suggested that we add identification plaques for all the artwork currently hanging in the Town Hall gallery. Currently, only three pieces are labeled. We have received an estimate from Barbara Manley, Manley Signs & Awards, who made the existing plaques. (Contact: [email protected], 222-3090). The signs will cost $20 apiece, for a grand total of $280.
Other Display Estimates
Glen Rowland, City Engineer, has safety concerns about hanging much of anything from the ceiling at the museum, especially the old doors from the Edgewood conservatory. The glass poses a hazard and if the doors fell could seriously injure a visitor.
Banners could be investigated for vertical space use. They don’t weigh much and could be used to picture the homes in the two historic districts and the other National Register properties. Examples here.
There are also photo displays that contain pages. Fairly expensive, but see example here. Plus there would be the cost of getting the photos made – but the photos would be much cheaper than the signs on the walls of the museum.
Hanging the Herdt Motor Sign at the Museum: Glen Rowland says he can get it done without causing any hazards. It will be hung above the photo display for the Kentucky Confederate Home.
QR Code Explanatory Signage: Shelley Schippert suggested adding a sign with brief instructions on how to download a QR app to a smart phone and use it to get additional information on the people and places pictured at the museum. Cost will probably be under $40 for UV resistant signage mounted on Sintra.
Formal Request to the Pewee Valley City Council for Permission to Set Up an Official Sesquicentennial Committee: Donna Russell and Bethany Major will present the project to City Council at their July 5 meeting. The attached information packet was distributed to council members by City Clerk Laura Eichenberger on June 28.
Virtual Museum/Signage Project: Shelley Schippert to present design ideas.
Kentucky Oral History Commission Grant:
We did not get the grant. We have been asked to resubmit it for a lower amount.
Application for the Kentucky League of Cities City Stories Project:
We were not chosen as one of the 10 cities for the inaugural oral history program; however, we will be given the opportunity to participate in the program later this year. Terri Johnson, Senior Marketing & Communications Manager for the Kentucky League of Cities, emailed:
Good afternoon-
Thank you for submitting an idea the Kentucky League of Cities/University of KY Nunn Center “City Stories” project. We had 22 entries!
Dr. Doug Boyd from the Nunn Center has decided to help ALL of our entries develop their oral histories. That said, we did select a group of 10 cities to participate in the initial pilot project this summer. While your city was not selected for that group, we will be back in touch in to see if you want to move ahead on an oral history. So, although you won’t be among the pilot group, you will be able to receive assistance with a local oral history within coming months.
Thanks again for your interest and I will be in touch with you as we get closer to training for you. Don’t hesitate to contact me should you have questions in the meantime.
New Business
Staffing Needed for Museum on Saturday, August 5: 6-10 p.m.
For the 2017 Summer Festival
Feedback from a Museum Visitor:
We received the following feedback from Annie Fellows Johnston fan Mr. Gerard (Jake) Szatkowski, who visited the museum in May while passing through from Denver:
I stumbled on the museum webpage from when I was reading her biography. I read about Pewee Valley and thought she would be buried there - but I found she was buried in Evansville. But the more I looked into the history of Pewee Valley - I didn't even know it really existed. When I found it and it was on my travel plans - well I just had to stop by.
Most people in the town did not know the museum was there and I stumbled onto an elderly gent who told me it was in the court house. The web site does not have an address - only says that is next to the court house and no address. You need a sign out on the building! I drove past it 3-4 times and decided that all I could do was bang on the door. A phone number contact or email would be good too.
More movie material would be wonderful. And a walking tour would be huge! I loved the brochures. But I got confused as to what is still there and what has been destroyed. Maybe a "then and now" display would be helpful too.
I didn't recall seeing much about Annie's life biography - did I miss it? A grand section on her life and travels…and anything biographical about the other folks she patterned in her novels?
also the cemetery - is there anyone of note in the old cemetery? A self-walking tour for that would be very nice.
I also loved the mill mural and water feature in the back - got to see it briefly. Is there any part of the old mill left? could be a nice addition to the park….
Immediate actions taken:
- Laura Eichenberger updated our Google Maps listing with a new photo and changed the listing title from “Pewee Valley City Hall” to “Pewee Valley Town Hall & Pewee Valley Museum.” Hours and contact information were added.
- A listing for the museum was added to the citywide information site at http://www.citywideinformation.com/citydirectory.php?state=KY&cityname=Pewee_Valley&o=13#.WVLLZmjyvcs
- Laura has uploaded information about the museum to the Kentucky Tourism website. It has to be approved before it is posted. After that, Laura can edit it for us at any time.
- The same information was sent to Oldham County Tourism. We have not heard anything yet from them about whether or not they will update the site.
The movie memorabilia is also being worked on. We have the new lobby poster from John Morgan and Donna Russell has purchased several vintage and reproduction movie posters from eBay. Poster frames are cheap and we could hang them in the corner above the doll case and baby buggy.
The comprehensive AFJ biography and photo display of then/now sites are another story. Any ideas on how to accomplish this in limited space?
New Acquisitions for the Museum:
- 2 rolls of original wallpaper salvaged from the Mary A. Crain Private Hospital donated by Kevin and Laura Hall (the wallpaper probably dates from the late 1940s)
- John Morgan donated a 1935 original Little Colonel Lobby Card auctioned on eBay for $585.
- John Morgan donated the following vintage books by Annie Fellows Johnston to round out the collection and plans to help us arrange the bookcase properly. We are now missing only three titles, all of which are extremely scarce (“Songs Ysame” “Where the White Tie Leads” and “Little Man in Motley”):
- Cicely & Other Stories (Cosy Corner Series)
- Flip’s Island of Providence (Cosy Corner Series)
- In the Desert of Waiting (Johnston Jewel Series)
- It Was the Road to Jericho
- The Little Colonel (Cosy Corner Series)
- The Little Colonel (London Editions – Jarrold & Sons)
- The Story of Dago (London Editions – Jarrold & Sons)
- Donna Russell is donating an 1849 copy of “What I Saw in California” written by Edwin Bryant, who helped name Pewee Valley and built Oaklea, a vintage 1971 Little Colonel Movie poster and a reprint of a 1935 movie poster.
- The city purchased:
- “Household of Bouverie; Or, The Elixir of Gold by A Southern Lady” published in 1860 by Catharine Ware Warfield. The book was the first and most popular of ten novels she wrote while living in Pewee Valley at Beechmore/Jennie Casseday Rest Cottage/Mary Crain Hospital. Selling price: $8.99.
- Official Little Colonel Post Card of The Locust Avenue of Trees, featuring a 1906 photo by Kate Matthews. Selling price: $10
Recent Updates to Website
- History of the 314 Exchange Building
- The People section of the website has been expanded to include more famous Peweeans and their likenesses, where available. Copy, however, remains to be written.
- Working on Washburne-Waterfill and Washburne-Swan House. The Washburne-Waterfill House is being rented out as an Airbnb right now.
Contact from Richard Horace Pollock, Descendant of Horace Pollock, Cashier for Pewee Valley State Bank
Dick Pollock emailed Suzanne and Donna about the Pewee Valley State Bank page on the website. He corrected the misspelling of the Pollock surname and has some additional information/family stories he wants to share. We are asking him to share digital copies of family and other Pewee Valley photos he may have, and which house the Pollocks owned on Mt. Mercy Drive.
2017-18 Budget: It’s a new fiscal year and we have $2,400 in our budget. Here are some projects members have suggested to improve the museum:
Town Hall Gallery Signage Estimate:
At the May meeting, several people suggested that we add identification plaques for all the artwork currently hanging in the Town Hall gallery. Currently, only three pieces are labeled. We have received an estimate from Barbara Manley, Manley Signs & Awards, who made the existing plaques. (Contact: [email protected], 222-3090). The signs will cost $20 apiece, for a grand total of $280.
Other Display Estimates
Glen Rowland, City Engineer, has safety concerns about hanging much of anything from the ceiling at the museum, especially the old doors from the Edgewood conservatory. The glass poses a hazard and if the doors fell could seriously injure a visitor.
Banners could be investigated for vertical space use. They don’t weigh much and could be used to picture the homes in the two historic districts and the other National Register properties. Examples here.
There are also photo displays that contain pages. Fairly expensive, but see example here. Plus there would be the cost of getting the photos made – but the photos would be much cheaper than the signs on the walls of the museum.
Hanging the Herdt Motor Sign at the Museum: Glen Rowland says he can get it done without causing any hazards. It will be hung above the photo display for the Kentucky Confederate Home.
QR Code Explanatory Signage: Shelley Schippert suggested adding a sign with brief instructions on how to download a QR app to a smart phone and use it to get additional information on the people and places pictured at the museum. Cost will probably be under $40 for UV resistant signage mounted on Sintra.
Some of the Vintage Annie Fellows Johnston Books Donated by John Morgan
Pewee Valley Historical Society Meeting Minutes for May 10, 2017
Attending the meeting on May 10: Pat Palmer, Ann Kyser, June Kramer, Marsha Chadwick, Sally Tanselle, Bethany Major, Suzanne Schimpeler, Donna Russell. Unlocking Town Hall for us: Norman Schippert.
The group discussed the need to appoint a committee, through our City Council, to work specifically on the Sesquicentennial Celebration in 2020. The Pewee Valley Historical Society cannot do all the work by themselves. The project is too large in scope, our group is too small, and we do not have all the skills necessary to get it done. We need to be able to:
- Create subcommittees to work on finances/fundraising, planning, events and publicity
- Solicit participation from the South Oldham Library, Oldham County Historical Society, Oldham County Lions Club, Little Colonel Players, Pewee Valley Woman's Club, Pewee Valley Masonic Lodge, St. Aloysius school and church, Pewee Valley Presbyterian, Seventh Day Adventists, Pewee Valley Baptist Church, First Baptist Church, Sycamore Chapel, Crestwood Elementary, South Oldham Middle and High schools, Pewee Valley Cemetery, Pewee Valley Fire Department, Pewee Valley Veterinary, Pewee Valley Post Office, etc.
- Solicit donations and underwriting for specific activities from businesses and members of the community
- Solicit volunteers from the Pewee Valley community to help with all aspects of the celebration
Bethany reminded the group that only three City Council members can be involved with the Sesquicentennial Committee under the law.
The PVHS's role would be:
- Developing the signage program for the virtual museum and trying to get funding for it through grants, etc.
- Arranging for and setting up special historical exhibits at the Museum and other locales in town ( such as Kate Matthews photos and art, Herbert Ross art, Mary Johnston art, Centennial memorabilia, etc.)
- Developing an historical education field trip for local schools
- Making improvements to the PV Museum in anticipation of the sesquicentennial through additions to the collection, loans from individuals, additional signage and displays, etc.
- Looking into the possibility of saving/restoring the last interurban station in Pewee Valley and finding a place for it close to the center of town
- Providing the images, maps and historical information for souvenirs to be sold as fundraisers
The group agreed that Bethany and Donna should make a presentation about the sesquicentennial in June to City Council. Mayor Bob Rogers would prefer that it wait for the July meeting since the City Budget will be the main topic of the June meeting.
In addition, Suzanne Schimpeler drafted a survey that could be distributed in the Call of the Pewee and also made available online on the city's website to determine resident interest in various ideas for the sesquicentennial. A copy of her draft will be emailed to all PVHS members for review and comments.
The virtual museum signage is something Mayor Bob Rogers wants to explore immediately. Bethany Major noted that QR codes may be outmoded technology and that we should explore some other better way to link the signage to the website information; however, she was unable to provide any guidance with that. Donna Russell, artist Shelley Schippert and Norman Schippert are meeting on May 12 to discuss the signage design and start to put together firm estimates on what it will cost. Some historic homeowners have expressed interest in purchasing signage already. There are also several grant possibilities.
Another topic discussed at the meeting was the New Resident Packet contents. The historical society would like all new residents to receive the Little Colonel Tour Booklet and possibly the Kentucky Confederate Home booklet. Marsha Chadwick expressed an interest in having the Woman's Club represented in the packet, as well, since many newcomers are interested in joining to make friends here.
Pewee Valley Historical Society Meeting Agenda for May 10
& Minutes from March 8 Meeting
Wednesday, May 10, 2017, 7:00 p.m. at Town Hall
& Minutes from March 8 Meeting
Wednesday, May 10, 2017, 7:00 p.m. at Town Hall
The Interurban Shelter at The Locust
Attending the Meeting on March 8: Pat Palmer, Ann Kyser, Erika Wardlow (Little Colonel Players), Betty Zielinksi (Little Colonel Players), Marsha Chadwick, Shelley Schippert, Norman Schippert, John Morgan, Suzanne Schimpeler
Report on Dedication for Beeches State Historic Marker:
The following PVHS members volunteered to work at the museum on the state marker’s dedication day: Pat and Brad Palmer, June Kramer, Norman Schippert, Anne Pohl-Kyser, Bob and Teresa Ernst, Marsha Chadwick and Donna Russell.
Thank-yous for individual contributions to the event are posted to the Events page of the PVHS website. Thank-you notes co-signed by Mayor Bob Rogers and Town Historian Donna Russell were also sent to Oldham County Tourism, the Oldham County Historical Society, the Kentucky Historical Society (these 3 organizations sponsored the marker), Sis Marker and Ann Weingardt.
The event, held March 29, was well attended and generated significant media coverage including:
- A story by Helen McKinney of OCHS in the March Roundabout
- A March 23 Great Day Louisville segment on WHAS-TV
- A report of the event on the Oldham County Channel 25
- Articles in the Oldham Era by Glen Jennings and in the Courier-Journal Neighborhoods section by Nancy Theiss on Sunday, April 7 and Sunday, April 14
- Photos by Shelley Schippert and a copy of the dedication address have been provided to Paula Kennedy for the Call of the Pewee, if she has any space in the May issue
Kentucky Oral History Commission Grant: We should know by May 30 whether Suzanne Schimpeler’s grant application to the KHS for oral histories with Pete Good Daughters and Charlie Thompson and Carl Haunz has been approved.
Application for the Kentucky League of Cities City Stories Project: City Stories is a collaboration initiated by the Kentucky League of Cities (KLC) and the University of Kentucky Nunn Center for Oral History. The goal is to help cities launch local oral history programs. A small number of KLC member cities will be selected as a pilot group. The work of those participants will ultimately help to create a model for other communities to use in developing their own oral history programs. Donna Russell has submitted an online application for participation in the program. http://www.klc.org/CityStoriesProject The goal would be to focus these efforts on recording the city’s history in the mid-to-late 20th century and would include such people as Bert and Doris Stoess, David Gleason, Carl Beard, Dr. Gerald Meyer, possibly some older members of the Little Colonel Players and the PV Woman’s Club, past mayors, etc.
Training will be required. Donna Russell wants to take it, along with one other person (preferably younger!) who has the time and interest.
The League of Cities is also interested in publishing a story about what the PVHS is doing to preserve our local history for a future issue of their magazine. Contact person for the story is Terri Johnson, Senior Marketing & Communications Manager, Kentucky League of Cities (KLC). Donna Russell has a call into her to try and schedule a time for her to make a visit.
New Acquisitions for the Museum
- Hattie Cochran soft doll from 1988, obviously printed from the Little Colonel Doll Book
- Centennial Plate in brown (a blue version was also sold)
- Historic photo blow-ups from Dr. Steve Hodge’s office
- Pewee Valley bird print and Bill Hirtzel print of the Little Colonel (from the wooden signs) donated by Ann Hayes
Recent Updates to Website
Kentucky Heritage Commission files and National Register information have been posted for National Register and other historic properties in Pewee. The page about the city's historic districts has also been updated to include links to the actual national register submissions. Katie S. Smith's "Pewee Valley: Land of the Little Colonel" is also posted in its entirety thanks to special permission the historical society received from her son, Bill.
Development of a Three-Year Plan to Prepare for and Celebrate the City’s Sesquicentennial: Details from the Centennial Celebration in 1970 are posted on the website here.
To date, the PVHS has received interest in getting involved with the 2020 Sesquicentennial Celebration planning from the Little Colonel Players, the 314 Exchange and the PV Masonic Lodge. At the March 8 meeting, the group also suggested placing a questionnaire about interest in various historical efforts in the Call of the Pewee and including a question about participation in the Sesquicentennial planning. We will flesh out the questionnaire at the meeting on May 10. Everyone should bring their ideas.
Ideas the group wanted to pursue at the March 8 meeting included:
- Turning the city into a virtual museum through a signage program for National Register and other historic sites that are no longer extant using QR codes linked to the website. Nancy Theiss of the OCHS has suggested applying for grants from Tourism, the Oldham County Judge-Executive and possibly the Head Trust to get the money together to develop the Little Colonel signage for approximately 21 sites that were part of the stories. That would give us a great start!
- Developing a series of special events (1 per month) during the summer months and school-related events during the school year with participation of local churches and businesses, in addition to the Woman’s Club, Little Colonel Playhouse, Masonic Lodge, etc.
- Little Colonel Players: Rewriting/updating the “Little Colonel of Lloydsborough” play
- Offering a “Little Colonel” field trip to Oldham County schools that could combine a visit to the museum with a walking tour of the historic sites from the books or something else with children
- Showings of the 1935 “The Little Colonel” movie starring Shirley Temple in Central Park
- Kate Matthews photo exhibit to become a permanent display at Town Hall Gallery (this will require fundraising)
- Local art exhibits featuring (on loan) works from Herbert Ross, Mary Gardner Johnston and more recent artists from Pewee Valley
- Little Colonel look-alike contest/parade
- Animal walk/trot/parade sponsored by the Pewee Valley Vet (donkeys, etc., welcome
- Offering games from the 1870s for kids and adults to try
- Exhibit of items from the centennial – A Place Called Pewee Valley, souvenir wooden nickels, postcards, Sunday Magazine section, commemorative plates, etc.
- Sponsorship of an art contest for children and adults in conjunction with the PV Woman’s Club
- Sponsorship of an essay contest on Annie Fellows Johnston for 4th and 5th graders at St. Al’s/Pewee Valley Academy/Crestwood Elementary – ask merchants to sponsor prize money – retired teacher Ann Kyser would help with the judging
- Sponsorship of a Kate Matthews or other type of photography competition for adults and children
- Working with the South Oldham Library on a summer reading program that includes the Little Colonel stories
- A garden tour in Pewee Valley and Crestwood
- Hot air balloon short up and down rides possibly sponsored by the Masonic Lodge
- Showings of the 1970 video – ask Helen Logsdan if she has a copy
- Special sesquicentennial postal cancellation in conjunction with the Pewee Valley Post Office
- Redoing the 1879 Beers & Lanagan Atlas or 1953 District Map and updating it to 2020
- Noted Peweean felt artist, Lydia Allen from Edgewood Manor Subdivision, has created a felt version of our City logo to hang in Town Hall in commemoration of our sesquicentennial and is getting it framed for the city.
- Working with the PV Fire Department on getting some aerial shots of Pewee Valley that allows comparison between the 1974 aerial and today. Carey Hirtzel of the PVFD is a chopper pilot and has indicated he may be able to help us get these photos.
- Donna Russell has been working with Carey Hirtzel at the PVFD to develop a better history of the department for their website and has scanned over 200 images from their scrapbooks as well as provided clippings from newspapers.com on important fire department developments. Suzanne Schimpeler is getting the original drawings of the first fire bay addition to Town Hall scanned, as well. They were in the city archives and were originally created by her brother Charles in the 1960s.
- Possibility of using old glass doors from a conservatory at Edgewood to develop pictorial displays of the Central Avenue and Ashwood Avenue historic districts and individually-listed National Register properties for display at the museum (we may be able to swing this with money from the city for 2017-18 FY – Donna Russell to work on estimates). These could be hung from the ceiling at the end of the room closest to the back offices and away from the door tracks. We should also consider getting the old Herdt Motor sign hung from the ceiling at the museum above the side with the Confederate Home pix.
- Souvenirs to sell to raise money:
- Centennial Year Calendar featuring historic photos and events such as the great fire that almost took out Pewee Valley, the opening of the Kentucky Confederate Home, birthdays of famous Peweeans, the date we received our first charter from the State Legislature, the date our historic districts were approved, the date of the raid on the Town & Country Diner, dates of 4 bank robberies, date our post office was chartered, date of Pewee Valley Cemetery charter, date of Sweet Shop fire, etc. We need to decide which photos we want to use for the calendar.
- Selling prints/notecards/postcards of Kate Matthews photos we own – again we need to select them.
- Selling prints of 1879 Beers & Lanagan Atlas Map and 1907 update by Frank Gatchel
- Christmas ornament – Marsha Chadwick has approached Edgewood resident Sherry Cooke about creating an ornament of some kind and she is willing and extremely able. This could depict an historical site in PV or a Christmas theme.
- Mayor Bob Rogers has suggested trying to do some luncheon/dinner educational events on PV History at the 314 Exchange to raise money – Nancy Theiss at the OCHS does these types of small fundraisers all the time, but they require the food be made by volunteers – catering is too expensive – and that the venue be free to make money.
- We need to lay out a calendar for these events/projects and develop a budget.
Some additional ideas that have come up since the meeting include:
- Working with the Applegates to see if they will donate the old interurban shelter on their property to the City of Pewee Valley and possibly move it to Central Park. This is the last of the interurban shelters still in existence in Pewee Valley and is marked Lloydsboro in honor of our Little Colonel heritage.
- Developing a Pewee Valley quilt for the Sesquicentennial and asking that blocks be created by various groups. Blocks could include: St. Aloysius, PV Presbyterian, St. James, PV Hospital and Sanitarium, Kentucky College for Young Ladies (maybe two, since we can get the bell), Town Hall, Pewee Valley Vet, Little Colonel Playhouse, Sweet Shop, The Locust, Tuliphurst, Woodside, Edgewood, The Beeches, Kentucky Confederate Home, PV Train Station, Thomas Peebles House, Caboose, etc.
- Running a "call for items for the Museum" in the Call of the Pewee. We still are in need of some Centennial items for the exhibit in 2020. Also, pix of the old railroad section house, other old pix of Pewee, etc.
Special Thanks to Everyone Who Helped Make
The Beeches State Marker Dedication a Success
The Beeches State Marker Dedication a Success
The Pewee Valley Historical Society would like to extend special thanks to the following individuals for making the new state historical marker at The Beeches possible:
- Kim Buckler, Oldham County Tourism;
- Amanda Higgins, Community Engagement Administrator at the Kentucky Historical Society;
- Nancy Theiss, Executive Director of the Oldham County Historical Society;
- June and Chris Kramer, owners of The Beeches;
- Oldham County Judge-Executive David Voegele; and
- Mayor Bob Rogers.
We would also like to thank the following individuals for loaning items for the special Little Colonel display at Pewee Valley Museum:
- Ann Weingardt: intercom, door knockers and Victorian brass bathroom set from The Beeches
- Sis Marker: Annie Fellows Johnston's stand-up writing desk
- Suzanne Schimpeler: Annie Fellows Johnston's walking stick, powder box and fruit banks, handmade by Annie and her stepdaughter Mary
Finally, we would like to extend special thanks to:
- Kevin and Laura Hall of the 314 Exchange for providing the venue for the luncheon given by the Oldham County Historical Society;
- Pewee Valley Police Chief Greg Larimore and the Oldham County Sheriff's Office for providing traffic control and keeping everyone safe at the event;
- The Pewee Valley Presbyterian Church and St. Aloysius Catholic Church for allowing guests to park in their lots during the dedication and luncheon; and
- Annie Fellows Johnston expert Sue Lynn McDaniel of Western Kentucky University, who provided the excellent presentation on Annie Fellows Johnston at the luncheon.
Plus a big thank-you to the PVHS members who helped with the event:
- Shelley Schippert: designing the promotional flyer/event invitation and taking photos at the event
- Pat and Brad Palmer: helping with the museum exhibits; setting up the volunteer schedule at the museum; and staffing the museum during the event
- June Kramer: staffing the museum during the event
- Chris Kramer: working with Oldham Era reporter Glen Jennings
- Norman Schippert: critiquing the dedication speech and staffing the museum during the event
- Anne Pohl-Kyser: staffing the museum during the event
- Bob and Teresa Ernst: staffing the museum during the event
- Marsha Chadwick: staffing the museum during the event
To learn more about the new state marker, visit The Beeches: Historical Marker
Pewee Valley Historical Society Meeting Agenda
Wednesday, March 8, 2017, 7:00 p.m. at Town Hall
Wednesday, March 8, 2017, 7:00 p.m. at Town Hall
Welcome to Special Guests:
Invited to the March meeting were Laura Hall of the 314 Exchange, which is hosting the luncheon for the Beeches State Marker Dedication; representatives of the Pewee Valley Woman’s Club (in addition to Marsha); and representatives from the Little Colonel Players.
Dedication for Beeches State Historic Marker:
PRESS RELEASE PRESS RELEASE
ANNIE FELLOWS JOHNSTON:
HISTORICAL MARKER DEDICATION & SPECIAL LUNCHEON
PROGRAM
Wednesday, March 29, 2017
Pewee Valley – various locations
Author Annie Fellows Johnston became a world-renowned name when she released the first book in a thirteen-book series entitled, The Little Colonel. First published in 1895, the world fell madly in love with the title character that was modeled after a fiery five-year old named Miss Hattie Cochran. Known locally in Pewee Valley as “The Little Colonel”, Cochran resembled her grandfather in both mannerisms and style. Everyone knew her grandfather, Col. George Weissinger, as the “Old Colonel.” Both were well-known in the community and became immortalized by Johnston within the pages of her novels.
The Little Colonel sold more than a million copies. In 1935 it was made into a film with the same title, starring Shirley Temple and Lionel Barrymore. This only added to its broad appeal. Soon, paper dolls and board games based on The Little Colonel were popping up everywhere. Johnston went on to write over 40 books.
Johnston was born in Evansville, Ind. on May 15, 1863 during the Civil War. Her father, Albion Fellows, a Methodist minister, died when she was only two years old. Her mother, Mary Erskine Fellows, was left to raise her brother Erwin and two sisters, Lura and Albion, on a farm in McCutchanville, Ind. From very early on Johnston expressed an interest in writing. She attended the University of Iowa for a year before working as a secretary and teacher. She married her cousin, William Johnston, on Oct. 11, 1888. William, who was older than Annie, had been previously married and had three children: Mary, John and Rena. After his first wife’s death, the children had lived with their aunt and uncle Burge in Pewee Valley, Ky. It was through her stepchildren that Johnston was first introduced to the quaint town of Pewee Valley. Tragedy struck Johnston and her husband died in 1892, followed by Rena in 1899 and John in 1910. With her remaining stepdaughter, Mary, she moved into a home on Central Avenue in Pewee Valley known as “The Beeches.” Johnston lived there until her death on Oct.5, 1931. She is buried in Oak Hill Cemetery in Evansville, Ind.
Johnston will be honored on Wednesday, March 29 at 11:15 a.m. with an historical marker dedication in Pewee Valley at her former home, The Beeches. The dedication is free and open to the public and will include guest speakers: County Judge Executive David Voegele, Pewee Valley Mayor Bob Rogers and Pewee Valley Historian Donna Russell. The marker dedication is sponsored by Oldham County Tourism, the Oldham County Historical Society and the Kentucky Historical Society. In addition, the Pewee Valley Museum will be open from 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at City Hall with rare items relating to Annie Fellows Johnston, The Little Colonel and Pewee Valley.
A special lunch at 314 Exchange and a portrayal of Annie Fellows Johnston by Sue Lynn McDaniel of Western Kentucky University will follow. Cost for lunch and the program is $30 for members/$35 for non-members. Reservations only by calling the Oldham County History Center at (502) 222-0826.
Oldham County Historical Society
106 North Second Ave.
La Grange, KY 40031
(502) 222-0826
[email protected]
www.oldhamcountyhistoricalsociety.org
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Kentucky Oral History Commission Grant: Suzanne hand-delivered the grant application to the Kentucky Historical Society in Frankfort on February 27 for two oral histories: Pete Good Daughters and Charlie Thompson and Carl Haunz
Development of a Three-Year Plan to Prepare for and Celebrate the City’s Sesquicentennial: Details from the Centennial Celebration in 1970 are already posted on the website here so we know what was done in the past: http://www.peweevalleyhistory.org/1970-centennial-materials.html
In terms of logistics, we need to examine:
Here are some ideas we may want to consider:
Invited to the March meeting were Laura Hall of the 314 Exchange, which is hosting the luncheon for the Beeches State Marker Dedication; representatives of the Pewee Valley Woman’s Club (in addition to Marsha); and representatives from the Little Colonel Players.
Dedication for Beeches State Historic Marker:
- Invitations: The City has emailed the flyer – which Shelley Schippert designed– to a mailing list developed in conjunction with the city and the PVHS. The list includes elected officials at the county and state levels, descendants of Hattie Cochran (who are coming), City Council members, and contacts with a demonstrated interest in the Little Colonel/Annie Fellows Johnston. The City will also send it to their own list of residents/interested others through Constant Contact. There are currently 334 people on the City’s list; however, 39 of them signed up at Oldham County Day, so are likely not residents.
- Flyer Printing: Flyers have been printed. Our mayor will place them in mail boxes two weeks prior to the event. The ones that are being mailed to specific people on the invitation list were prepared for mailing on March 3.
- Exhibit: The cases at the museum have been rearranged, all borrowed items added, and the new bookcase gifted to the City by John Morgan has been filled. Pat Palmer has agreed to rearrange the cases to make them as eye-pleasing as possible. The list of items on display is attached. We will be able to get AFJ’s writing desk the week before the event. The new bookcase will be rearranged after the special exhibit is over and borrowed items are returned to their owners.
- Safety: Chief Larimore has it on his calendar. We may need extra help on hand if the luncheon crowd is large. Nancy Theiss has been asked to provide us with a head count the day before. PV Presbyterian Church has given us permission to park in their lot during the actual dedication.
- WE STILL NEED VOLUNTEERS TO STAFF THE MUSEUM ON MARCH 29.
- Publicity: Helen McKinney at the Oldham County Historical Society has sent out the media release and written articles for Roundabout and other publications. The event was featured on the front page of the March 2017 Call of the Pewee and on the front page of the March 2017 Roundabout, which has two articles in it: http://www.roundaboutmadison.com/InsidePages/ArchivedArticles/2017/0317JohnstonCover.html and one written by Sue Lynn McDaniel, who will be the guest speaker at the luncheon: http://www.roundaboutmadison.com/InsidePages/ArchivedArticles/2017/0317JohnstonSidebar.html. The media release copy is below:
PRESS RELEASE PRESS RELEASE
ANNIE FELLOWS JOHNSTON:
HISTORICAL MARKER DEDICATION & SPECIAL LUNCHEON
PROGRAM
Wednesday, March 29, 2017
Pewee Valley – various locations
Author Annie Fellows Johnston became a world-renowned name when she released the first book in a thirteen-book series entitled, The Little Colonel. First published in 1895, the world fell madly in love with the title character that was modeled after a fiery five-year old named Miss Hattie Cochran. Known locally in Pewee Valley as “The Little Colonel”, Cochran resembled her grandfather in both mannerisms and style. Everyone knew her grandfather, Col. George Weissinger, as the “Old Colonel.” Both were well-known in the community and became immortalized by Johnston within the pages of her novels.
The Little Colonel sold more than a million copies. In 1935 it was made into a film with the same title, starring Shirley Temple and Lionel Barrymore. This only added to its broad appeal. Soon, paper dolls and board games based on The Little Colonel were popping up everywhere. Johnston went on to write over 40 books.
Johnston was born in Evansville, Ind. on May 15, 1863 during the Civil War. Her father, Albion Fellows, a Methodist minister, died when she was only two years old. Her mother, Mary Erskine Fellows, was left to raise her brother Erwin and two sisters, Lura and Albion, on a farm in McCutchanville, Ind. From very early on Johnston expressed an interest in writing. She attended the University of Iowa for a year before working as a secretary and teacher. She married her cousin, William Johnston, on Oct. 11, 1888. William, who was older than Annie, had been previously married and had three children: Mary, John and Rena. After his first wife’s death, the children had lived with their aunt and uncle Burge in Pewee Valley, Ky. It was through her stepchildren that Johnston was first introduced to the quaint town of Pewee Valley. Tragedy struck Johnston and her husband died in 1892, followed by Rena in 1899 and John in 1910. With her remaining stepdaughter, Mary, she moved into a home on Central Avenue in Pewee Valley known as “The Beeches.” Johnston lived there until her death on Oct.5, 1931. She is buried in Oak Hill Cemetery in Evansville, Ind.
Johnston will be honored on Wednesday, March 29 at 11:15 a.m. with an historical marker dedication in Pewee Valley at her former home, The Beeches. The dedication is free and open to the public and will include guest speakers: County Judge Executive David Voegele, Pewee Valley Mayor Bob Rogers and Pewee Valley Historian Donna Russell. The marker dedication is sponsored by Oldham County Tourism, the Oldham County Historical Society and the Kentucky Historical Society. In addition, the Pewee Valley Museum will be open from 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at City Hall with rare items relating to Annie Fellows Johnston, The Little Colonel and Pewee Valley.
A special lunch at 314 Exchange and a portrayal of Annie Fellows Johnston by Sue Lynn McDaniel of Western Kentucky University will follow. Cost for lunch and the program is $30 for members/$35 for non-members. Reservations only by calling the Oldham County History Center at (502) 222-0826.
Oldham County Historical Society
106 North Second Ave.
La Grange, KY 40031
(502) 222-0826
[email protected]
www.oldhamcountyhistoricalsociety.org
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Kentucky Oral History Commission Grant: Suzanne hand-delivered the grant application to the Kentucky Historical Society in Frankfort on February 27 for two oral histories: Pete Good Daughters and Charlie Thompson and Carl Haunz
Development of a Three-Year Plan to Prepare for and Celebrate the City’s Sesquicentennial: Details from the Centennial Celebration in 1970 are already posted on the website here so we know what was done in the past: http://www.peweevalleyhistory.org/1970-centennial-materials.html
In terms of logistics, we need to examine:
- expanding the city's email list to keep people informed and pique interest in the planning process and actual events
- getting educational grants and bringing children into the mix so they become interested in the city's history
- getting the City Council and other groups such as the Woman's Club and Little Colonel Players involved – Do we need to set up a special commission like what was done for the 1970 celebration?
- developing a budget to accomplish our goals and working on various grants and fundraising efforts to pay for it
Here are some ideas we may want to consider:
- Turning the city into a virtual museum through a signage program for National Register and other historic sites that are no longer extant using QR codes linked to the website.
- Developing a series of special events during the sesquicentennial year with participation of local churches and businesses, in addition to Woman’s Club, Little Colonel Playhouse and other local civic groups and businesses
- Little Colonel Players: “This is the Way It Was” and “Little Colonel of Lloydsborough” – possibly offering “Little Colonel” as a field trip to Oldham County schools that could be combined with a visit to the museum and/or a walking tour of the historic sites from the books
- Showings of the 1935 “The Little Colonel” movie starring Shirley Temple
- Showings of the video documentary made in 1970 – if we can ever find a copy we can get digitized – and showings of the Little Colonel Players history video made in 2006
- Showings of the newest oral histories
- Kate Matthews photo exhibit to become a permanent display at Town Hall Gallery
- Local art exhibits featuring (on loan) works from Herbert Ross, Mary Gardner Johnston and more recent artists from Pewee Valley
- Fritz look-alike contest for local dogs at the Pewee Valley Vet?
- Little Colonel look-alike contest?
- Exhibit of items from the centennial – A Place Called Pewee Valley, souvenir wooden nickels, postcards, Sunday Magazine section, etc.
- Walking tours for school children
- Special sesquicentennial postal cancellation in conjunction with the Pewee Valley Post Office
- Redoing the 1879 Beers & Lanagan Atlas or 1953 District Map and updating it to 2020
- Working with the PV Fire Department on getting an aerial shot of Pewee Valley that allows comparison between the 1974 aerial and today
- Working with the PV Fire Department on securing copies of old insurance maps to compare 1929 (when the fire department was founded) with today
- Possibility of using old glass doors from a conservatory at Edgewood to develop pictorial displays of the Central Avenue and Ashwood Avenue historic districts and individually-listed National Register properties for display at the museum
- Development of a three-year plan for oral history grant requests. Possibilities might include Carl Beard, Bert and Doris Stoess, etc. Working with the League of Cities may be an option for us.
- Souvenirs to sell to raise money:
- Centennial Year Calendar featuring historic photos and events such as the great fire that almost took out Pewee Valley, the opening of the Kentucky Confederate Home, birthdays of famous Peweeans, the date we received our first charter from the State Legislature, the date our historic districts were approved, the date of the raid on the Town & Country Diner, dates of 4 bank robberies, date our post office was chartered, date of Pewee Valley Cemetery charter, date of Sweet Shop fire, etc.
- Selling prints of Kate Matthews photos we own
- Selling prints of 1879 Beers & Lanagan Atlas Map and 1907 update by Frank Gatchel
- Christmas ornament
- Post card series
- License plate?
Pewee Valley Historical Society Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, February 8, 2017, 7:00 p.m. at Town Hall
Wednesday, February 8, 2017, 7:00 p.m. at Town Hall
Attending: Suzanne Schimpeler, Norman Schippert, Bob Rogers, Jana Bridenzine, Ann Kyser, June Kramer, Donna Russell
Next meeting: Wednesday, March 8, 7:00 p.m. at Town Hall
Dedication for Beeches State Historic Marker: The marker will be set about a week before and veiled until the dedication ceremony on Wednesday, March 29. The group discussed marker placement in front of The Beeches and Bob Rogers will work with the Kramers on BUD marking, etc., prior to the marker being set. Events that day will include:
9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.: Special Annie Fellows Johnston Little Colonel Exhibit at the Pewee Valley Museum, Town Hall, 312 Mt. Mercy Drive (FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC)
11:15: Marker Unveiling Outside The Beeches, 125 Central Avenue with remarks by Oldham County Judge-Executive David Voegele, Pewee Valley Mayor Bob Rogers and Pewee Valley Historian Donna Russell (FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC)
12:00 p.m. Noon: Celebration Lunch at the 314 Exchange, 314 Mt. Mercy Drive, with presentation on Annie Fellows Johnston by Little Colonel expert Sue Lynn McDaniel, Western Kentucky University (RESERVATIONS REQUIRED: 502-222-0826)
$30 for Oldham County History Center Members/ $35 non-members.
The museum will have several special items on short-term exhibit and some new items recently donated for this event:
The museum will need to be staffed dedication day from 9:30-2:30. Norman Schippert, Suzanne Schimpeler will work out the details. Norman can lock up for us at 2:30 and set the alarm.
The Oldham County Historical Society is developing a media release, and Helen McKinney is writing a story about The Beeches and AFJ for Roundabout. Donna Russell has provided Helen with background information, etc., for the stories and release. Nancy Theiss has contacted the Judge Executive's office about filming the event for Oldham County Channel 25. Our group is developing the flyer. Shelley Schippert will do the design work. Bob wants it distributed in resident mailboxes. We will post it various spots in Pewee Valley. And Laura will email it to everyone on the city's email list -- which Norman Schippert pointed out needs to be expanded so we can improve communications to residents -- as well as members of the Dick family (Hattie Cochran's grandchildren), Steve Lock, our contacts at the Kentucky Historical Society, Anchorage's historian, etc. It will also appear in the next issue of the Call of the Pewee.
Donna is working on completing the following website pages prior to the event. She may or may not be able to finish all of these. Most critical are the General Lawton Family, Little Colonel's House and Hattie Cochran bio:
Kentucky Oral History Commission Grant: Suzanne has written the grant asking for two video oral histories. She is submitting it Feb. 20, a week early, for feedback. (It's due Feb. 27). We should get an answer about 10 days after submission.
Museum/Historical Society New Acquisitions:
Additional Volunteers to Help with Scanning the City Minute Books at the OCHS Library: Ann Kyser and Pat Palmer have volunteered. Donna Russell to set up training session at OCHS in LaGrange.
Time Capsule: Donna Russell has written the letter about the City of Pewee Valley for the OCHS time capsule to be opened in 2050. Will also include some photos, property owner information, the PVHS’s publications on the Little Colonel and the Kentucky Confederate Home, and a brochure about the city that was printed last year. Deadline is March 30, 2017.
Fundraising: A couple of issues to get the conversation going:
New/Updated Website Pages
Next meeting: Wednesday, March 8, 7:00 p.m. at Town Hall
Dedication for Beeches State Historic Marker: The marker will be set about a week before and veiled until the dedication ceremony on Wednesday, March 29. The group discussed marker placement in front of The Beeches and Bob Rogers will work with the Kramers on BUD marking, etc., prior to the marker being set. Events that day will include:
9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.: Special Annie Fellows Johnston Little Colonel Exhibit at the Pewee Valley Museum, Town Hall, 312 Mt. Mercy Drive (FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC)
- Little Colonel books, dolls, post cards, puzzles, board game, paper dolls and movie memorabilia
- Items from The Beeches during the period it was owned by Annie Fellows Johnston and her stepdaughter, artist Mary G. Johnston (1911-1966)
- Annie Fellows Johnston’s writing desk, walking stick, powder box and other items
- Baby buggy from the original Little Colonel, Hattie Cochran
- Artwork by Mary G. Johnston in the Town Hall Gallery
11:15: Marker Unveiling Outside The Beeches, 125 Central Avenue with remarks by Oldham County Judge-Executive David Voegele, Pewee Valley Mayor Bob Rogers and Pewee Valley Historian Donna Russell (FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC)
12:00 p.m. Noon: Celebration Lunch at the 314 Exchange, 314 Mt. Mercy Drive, with presentation on Annie Fellows Johnston by Little Colonel expert Sue Lynn McDaniel, Western Kentucky University (RESERVATIONS REQUIRED: 502-222-0826)
$30 for Oldham County History Center Members/ $35 non-members.
The museum will have several special items on short-term exhibit and some new items recently donated for this event:
- New Acquisitions: 1935 Little Colonel movie bridge cards, 1908 Little Colonel McLoughlin Bros. block puzzle, Little Colonel Post Card of the McIntyre Boys/Two Little Knights of Kentucky, and the new bookcase just donated by John Morgan
- Items being borrowed from Herdt family: AFJ writing desk, door knocker, intercom and bath set from The Beeches
- Items being borrowed from Suzanne Schimpeler: soft paste fruit banks handmade by Annie and Mary, Annie's yellow powder box and walking stick
- Items being borrowed from Donna Russell: Thibaut Shirley Temple Auction Book showing costumes from LC movie
The museum will need to be staffed dedication day from 9:30-2:30. Norman Schippert, Suzanne Schimpeler will work out the details. Norman can lock up for us at 2:30 and set the alarm.
The Oldham County Historical Society is developing a media release, and Helen McKinney is writing a story about The Beeches and AFJ for Roundabout. Donna Russell has provided Helen with background information, etc., for the stories and release. Nancy Theiss has contacted the Judge Executive's office about filming the event for Oldham County Channel 25. Our group is developing the flyer. Shelley Schippert will do the design work. Bob wants it distributed in resident mailboxes. We will post it various spots in Pewee Valley. And Laura will email it to everyone on the city's email list -- which Norman Schippert pointed out needs to be expanded so we can improve communications to residents -- as well as members of the Dick family (Hattie Cochran's grandchildren), Steve Lock, our contacts at the Kentucky Historical Society, Anchorage's historian, etc. It will also appear in the next issue of the Call of the Pewee.
Donna is working on completing the following website pages prior to the event. She may or may not be able to finish all of these. Most critical are the General Lawton Family, Little Colonel's House and Hattie Cochran bio:
- Beeches: Later Years (almost done) -- waiting on additional information from Little Colonel Players
- Mary Johnston (done)
- Annie Fellows Johnston (done)
- General Lawton Family (not started)
- Little Colonel’s House (photos only)
- Hattie Cochran (not started)
- Burge House/Mt. Mercy Camp & Boarding School (not started)
- 314 Exchange (photos only)
Kentucky Oral History Commission Grant: Suzanne has written the grant asking for two video oral histories. She is submitting it Feb. 20, a week early, for feedback. (It's due Feb. 27). We should get an answer about 10 days after submission.
- Pete Good Daughters and Charlie Thompson -- Good owned an automotive shop and held a regular horse shoe pitching game at his business on 146 for years. The oral history will also include an interview with Charlie Thompson, who once owned Thompson’s Grocery at the PV Vet, about the Town & Country Diner police raid for gambling in 1965. The diner was located on the Good property.
- Carl Haunz: PV’s early fire department, the Wesley Chapel/school (still standing) and the Rock Springs Hotel (foundation is still visible on Haunz property), which used to bring guests from the PV train station via stagecoach to the hotel. The terrain is rough at the farm.
Museum/Historical Society New Acquisitions:
- A box of materials from the Craig and Gatchel families arrived in January from Susan Lawson, descendant of Theodore Klein, who founded Yew Dell and owned Woodside for a short time
- Photos/negatives of Pewee Valley people and places from descendants of Richard Duncan, well-known photographer who lived in the Tuliphurst subdivision and once owned Caufield and Shook, including several Kate Matthews prints and negatives of all the photos Duncan took for the 1966 100th anniversary of the Pewee Valley Presbyterian Church
- Bookcase purchased by John Morgan
Additional Volunteers to Help with Scanning the City Minute Books at the OCHS Library: Ann Kyser and Pat Palmer have volunteered. Donna Russell to set up training session at OCHS in LaGrange.
Time Capsule: Donna Russell has written the letter about the City of Pewee Valley for the OCHS time capsule to be opened in 2050. Will also include some photos, property owner information, the PVHS’s publications on the Little Colonel and the Kentucky Confederate Home, and a brochure about the city that was printed last year. Deadline is March 30, 2017.
Fundraising: A couple of issues to get the conversation going:
- City Sesquicentennial in 2020 – Details from the Centennial Celebration in 1970 are already posted on the website here so we know what was done in the past: http://www.peweevalleyhistory.org/1970-centennial-materials.html
- Development of a comprehensive signage program with possible tie-in to the website through QR codes to turn the city into a virtual museum
- PV Cemetery East – location of graves and doing something to mark the mass burial site at the rear of the cemetery -- there are at least 80 people in unmarked graves
- the need to expand the city's email list by reminding residents to submit them in the Call of the Pewee
- getting educational grants and bringing children into the mix so they become interested in the city's history
- getting the City Council and other groups such as the Woman's Club and Little Colonel Players involved
- developing a budget to accomplish our goals and working on various grants and fundraising efforts to pay for it
New/Updated Website Pages
- Pewee Valley State Bank/Woman’s Club – Bank robberies, how Foley and Pollack avenues got their names; short history of Woman’s Club
- Beechmore: Jennie Casseday Rest Cottage & Mary Crain Private Hospital – now includes information on the Mary Crain Private Hospital through development into the Woods of Pewee Valley
- Little Colonel Playhouse: Millions, Beards, Little Colonel Players – still needs work on the Beard years of ownership, but Millions story is finished and there is a lot on the Little Colonel Playhouse history, which the Players are currently reviewing
- Peace Farm: Fletcher Years – addition of the story of Francis Vane, who was wanted in Florida and Massachusetts for embezzling bonds and hid out in the cottage for several months in 1935, while Lillian Fletcher owned it.
- Woodside: The Gatchel Years – updated to include much more information on the Gatchel family the PVHS received via the materials from Susan Lawson and ancestry.com
- Truman-Nock House—updated information on the H.C. Truman family who built the house. Harry was the son of Orville Truman, one of PV’s original trustees in 1870. Includes photos.
- William A Smith House -- updated information on the William A Smith family and his parents
Pewee Valley Historical Society Meeting Agenda
Wednesday, January 4, 2017, 6:00-6:45 p.m. at Town Hall
Wednesday, January 4, 2017, 6:00-6:45 p.m. at Town Hall
Littlecolonel.com Website Progress Report: Norman Schippert to report. Beta site here: http://beta.littlecolonel.com
PVHS Website Progress Report:
- Call of the Pewee: Scanning completed
- Town Council Minute Books: PV Historical Society received permission to take the books, one at a time, and scan them at the Oldham County Historical Society in LaGrange on their large flatbed scanner. Volunteers needed to help complete this project.
- New Pages Posted but not necessarily finished:
- Interurban Depot
- Little Colonel Playhouse
- Sherman and Corey Jurey Weatherly House
- Books by Annie Fellows Johnston
- 1953 District Map
- Sweet Shop
- 1974 Aerial Photo
- Razing the Depot Oldham Era Story
- Original Interurban History by George Yater
- Railroad Section House
- Last Kentucky College for Young Ladies Announcement
Museum Displays: Both small cases feature post office-related items donated or on loan to the museum. We need to change them out to a Little Colonel theme for the Beeches State Marker dedication on March 29, 2017
Museum/Historical Society New Acquisitions:
- Don Ensor Print and Post Office Memorabilia Hanging in Town Hall from D.D. Hendrickson
- 3 Small, Signed Don Ensor Prints from the Russells in Town Hall
- Framed Mail By Rail Station Post Card from ? at Town Hall
- First Day Covers from 1970 from William Smith (and there are more available if we want them)
- Collection of items from the Jurey family, who built the Little Colonel Playhouse and the Sherman & Corey Jurey Weatherly House from Donna Russell; includes original Kate Matthews photo of downtown Pewee Valley in 1909
- Scans of original photos and documents from the 1974 “Pewee Valley: Land of the Little Colonel” by Katie S. Smith, courtesy William Smith (over 170 new items total)
- A box of materials from the Craig and Gatchel families coming from South Carolina in January – some materials dating as far back as 1840s – from Susan Lawson, descendant of Theodore Klein, who founded Yew Dell and owned Woodside for a short time
- Photos from the Sommers/Metz family courtesy Bethany Majors
- Scanned map of original Stoess farm property on Maple Avenue and of a Mary Gardner Johnston painting of the house from Bert and Doris Stoess
- Possibility of photos/negatives of Pewee Valley people and places from descendants of Richard Duncan, well-known photographer who lived in the Tuliphurst subdivision and once owned Caufield and Shook
- Some papers relating to the Millions who ran the Millions Grocery at the Little Colonel Playhouse 1920-1950 should be available from descendant J.B. Hitt in January
Dedication for Beeches State Historic Marker: Date is Wednesday, March 29, 2017.
Kentucky Oral History Commission Grant: We are going to submit our grant for Carl Haunz and Charlie Thompson in the next grant cycle, which will be due in March. Volunteer needed to write grant
Small Museum Grant Application: Grant denied – the KHS only had about $9100 to distribute and we asked for $1400
Fundraising: Our mayor has asked us to engage in some fundraising activities. Any ideas?
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