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Historical Park board reports awards, fundraising and events; master plan remains pending
Summary
Board members heard that the Friends group raised nearly $4,000 for programs, the park received a silver stewardship certificate for collections, and multiple fall and winter events (Day of the Dead, Mad Hatter tea, Christmas teas) are scheduled while a master plan deadline remains to be set.
At its Oct. 24 meeting the Historical Park Preservation and Restoration Board received an extensive status update on programming, fundraising and preservation work for the Farmers Branch Historical Park.
Hillary (presenter) told the board the Friends of the Historical Park raised $3,971 since the last presentation, including $1,577 from a recent Bluegrass event and $393 from popcorn sales. “Grand total raised $3,971 for the friends,” she said. She also summarized grant activity and purchases: the Friends funded 24 new tea trays, $4,500 in collection-cleaning work and $1,000 in camp scholarships, and they applied for $8,000 in grants earmarked for events and programs.
The presenter said the park received a silver certificate for stewardship of collections from ASLH, adding the board holds a mix of silver, gold and bronze recognitions across governance, engagement and interpretation. “So this is the silver certificate for stewardship of collections,” Hillary said.
Hillary reviewed a busy events calendar. Day of the Dead will be Friday, Nov. 1; the Friends-sponsored Mad Hatter tea has been moved into Venue 1842 (tickets go on sale Dec. 2) and the park’s Christmas teas are scheduled for Dec. 7 and Dec. 14, both at the park this year. She also described a Wreaths Across America registration for Keenan Cemetery: organizers recorded 117 veterans’ graves and are pursuing wreath donations to place a wreath at every grave on Dec. 14.
Board members discussed volunteer shortages at recent events, including chair-moving and cashless payment capacity. Members proposed recruiting younger volunteers and partnering with scouting organizations; staff and the Friends agreed to follow up on digital-payment options and volunteer outreach.
On planning, the presenter said the historical park moved under the city’s Economic Development, Tourism and Planning department on Oct. 1 and that a formal master plan is still being scheduled. Several board members said the master plan must inform where reconstructed log buildings and landscaping are placed because of floodplain concerns and bidding requirements.
The board agreed to place the punch list and the witness-to-history nominations on the next agenda and adjourned.
