Flower Mound Historical Commission tables donated walking stick, approves mirror and chandelier for town collection

The Flower Mound Historical Commission on Tuesday tabled consideration of an anonymously donated walking stick made from wood from the Guadalupe flood and approved two other donated items — a mirror and a chandelier — for the town's historical collection.

Sarah Luxon, town staff, presented three items submitted under the commission's collections policy: an anonymous walking stick described as made from wood from the Guadalupe flood, a mirror donated by Flower Mound resident Megan Black that reportedly carried a tag reading “Old Mirror from Flower Mound Cabin,” and a chandelier currently hanging in the Gibson Grant Log House that had been converted to electricity but retains original glass globes.

Commissioners agreed to table the walking stick so the commission can obtain additional guidance from Peggy Riddle of Denton County about whether the item fits the collection policy as folk art and whether it should be accepted into the historical collection. Chair Norell offered the option of inviting Riddle to speak at the next meeting and the commission voted to table the walking-stick item.

The commission then voted to accept the mirror and the chandelier into the town's collection. A roll-call vote recorded Commissioners Bowman, Gabbard, Claret, Chair Norell, Hood and Williams as voting in favor; the motion carried.

The commission also approved the consent agenda, including the minutes for the July 10, 2025 meeting, by unanimous voice/roll-call vote earlier in the meeting.

The commission discussed how accepted collection items can be used: items admitted to the historical collection may be exhibited at the Gibson Grant Log House, the library or other town facilities on a temporary basis, subject to existing loan and exhibition policies and facilities director approval. Staff said the chandelier is already installed in the Gibson Grant Log House and the mirror will be cataloged if accepted.

The walking stick’s donor status (anonymous) and its status as a post-policy item were cited by commissioners as reasons for asking for additional review rather than immediate acceptance. Staff told the commission the walking stick is currently in town storage and safe pending further action.

The commission's votes on the collection items and the consent minutes were recorded during the meeting; motions were made from the floor and seconded as recorded in the transcript and roll call was performed for each formal vote.

Looking ahead, the commission directed staff to invite Denton County staff or Peggy Riddle to the next meeting to provide additional context about classifying folk-art items and to return the walking stick for reconsideration after that briefing.