Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Historical Society topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Historical Society defends care of donated artifacts, outlines museum progress and naming plans
Summary
The Smithfield Historical Society updated the council on renovations to the Douglas Mercantile ("Rock Store") building, defended preservation work after a donor's complaint and said the group hopes to open the museum by Health Days while continuing inventory, funding and stabilization work.
Members of the Smithfield Historical Society reported progress on the Douglas Mercantile building renovation and responded to a public complaint about the condition of a donated family artifact at the April 8 City Council meeting.
David Forester had told the council he was “very frustrated” after seeing a grain-cleaning machine his family donated decades ago and asked that the city either improve preservation or return the item. Jeff Gittens, speaking for the Historical Society, apologized for Forester’s experience and explained that volunteers and city staff have cleaned, tarped and stabilized many large outdoor artifacts that could not fit inside the little cabin museum. He said volunteers wrapped and strapped items, bought protective tarps and arranged coverage for items exposed to north winds. Gittens said, “We tried to stabilize the situation … the picture you saw was taken much earlier.”
Gittens walked council members through the society’s organizational structure — officers, a governing board of 15 members and a broader committee of about 27 volunteers — and outlined immediate and near-term work: inventorying artifacts, enlarging exhibits (including a train display), installing security cameras (nine inside the building), and evaluating bids to finish the upstairs exhibit space. He said the society aims for a preview or small dedication by Health Days, contingent on contractor schedules and funding.
Council and staff discussed naming the building (commonly called the “Rock Store”) and keeping the official name clear for the public; Gittens proposed including “Smithfield City” in the museum name to avoid confusion. City Manager Justin Lewis and other staff said they are supporting the society with bids, camera systems and logistics, and pledged to bring building and repair cost estimates back to council for budget consideration.
What’s next: Council asked the society and staff to provide cost estimates for needed repairs (including a small heritage cabin that council members described as a liability), and to coordinate on a long-term plan for artifact storage and care. The society said it has a documented inventory and will provide the council with the records and contractor estimates.
