SHELDON HISTORICAL SOCIETY NOTES JUNE 16, 2026
PERSONS PRESENT:
Bryan Derry Lori Derry Tom Oliver, Jr. Tom Oliver, Sr.
Kerri Churchill Kurt Valenta Andy Crane Fem Mercure
Donald McFeeters Phyllis Archambault
Meeting called to order at 6:35 pm. Agenda not received.
Minutes have been received and notes sent out. LD noted error in report of Museum
hours. Should have read Thursday and Saturday,rather than Friday and Saturday. Correction noted.DM: Stated he will getdone if any changes in Board. If anyone knows of changes get them to him
DM: Other changes or edits? KV:
Mentioned one item in minutes re phone numbers and addresses.
DM: Stated he will getdone if any changes in Board. If anyone knows of changes get them to him.
Motion to accept by LD, 2ND By KV. All in favor, none opposed. Passed.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Kerrie commented on balances sheet and budget. BD asked about electric bill and building maintenance, $600.36, in May. Felt it would balance paint and count interest. CD matured and requested interest. $120. Expenses: light bill $69.82, Fidium $60. 70.
KV; Now it fits for year end. End of July bill will reflect that. Bill will be raised by $20.
No complaints.
DM; Understand balance set, budget set, budgeted $30,500.00 for present projects.
Have $26,941.73 remaining. Want to make sure we have money to spend. Any other questions?
None.
BD: Motion to accept as presented. 2nd by DP. All in favor, motion carried. DM: Next item: EXHIBITS
Erin’s letter. Firm positive that want things that should have by month before. Wants things now. Concerns about using second floor to display exhibits.
Thinks Erin plans on using second floor as exhibit space. The ”jinn” discloses that this opportunity for Native American exhibit and things related will educate Erin to feel what wants to be put up.
KV: Prior to the 24th?
DM If thinks it’s what should be up. Do we try to put downstairs or move up here?
Also things that don’t make downstairs look good. Back of Post Office, some things need to be cleaned out. Back should be seen by visitors. School bell just sitting there and educational exhibits material still sitting on floor. Erin would make case that displays more her interest and might say if taken down not right. Might be cor-rect but should be put back up and Native American exhibit should be back up.
DP: Is there a vision of what people wanted it displayed like? DM: Good question.
DP: Erin’s things put up and keep. She wants to have pictures of new store a real artifacts.
DM: It’s on to redate every three years.
KV: Only thing requires is footprint. Some exhibits can be put upstairs, but where to put up there. First thing, would like to see finn influencer and how would it work? Could change out footprints that are equal.
DM: If this piece-gathering request, how will people not fill up with things. LD: Will that be kept until end of January, not July?
FM: How will people see exhibit brought up here if staffing first floor? TO,Jr. They do that in St. Albans.
LD: Could see if come upstairs – to make sure nothing gets lost. ED: Cameras, should be one in this room.
AC: Top of stairs. Started out with what had. Sheldon Raid vision took place. Had lots of stories to tell. Lot of photographs. Lot of railroad material. All things that can be displayed in visual layouts. Most interested that it be displayed in original reproduction. Now taken task of putting covers over things. All about making Sheldon’s history visible to people.
DM: Also items that come in that do not fit into current exhibits.
AC: Space allowing. Have what doners want and always that can use. Would get change in members on fluid committee that people want to see.. Have things in Northrup exhibit. Speakers of life stories of people before any ofus. It’s that they have global stories to tell and add color to displays.
LD: Erin said large room downstairs wanted to have space to walk around. DM: vVhere table exists add more important things. Could move table.
LD: The Indian stuff could go there and could do school up here. Here would be a good place to set up school. Rest of room has been shut off to finish work.
DM: vVhat are your thoughts?
ED: Re Rail Trail, who are going to add place where people can put hands on something? LD: Lot of people love exhibits with shells and guns.
KV: vVho is on Exhibit Committee?
AC: People not forthcoming and concerns on occasion will fall on Machiavellian side. KV: Would follow to be on that but there was 1 00% increase, but then if just hone on
Exhibits ones to pull in file and say all make decisions. Could work out but if comes back might not agree, then both should be involved considerably.
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LD: Get people who have to do research and things, and not many chair duties. BD: People who know because happened.
KV; How to ask Erin because if reports directly.
LD: Said wanted to get together with people and go over things.
DM: Would start with preparing meeting, she did imply willing to do, and suggest dates.
AC: Not if both wants to draft exhibits. Expect she would not work with that, and bath’s decision to buy into exhibits and what exhibits to have. Thinking not open to this but should come to Committee.
DM: Somewhat working, but if someone on Board could be with them both for additional dialog.
KV: Let Erin mess up. People overextending need to be put in small binds. Bring to Exhibit Committee and then to go where with thinking? Present exhibit. Now question of space allocation.
FM: Would be willing to report – to meet with Erin to talk about it, come to a conclusion and make firm decision.
DP: Do we have enough space to store artifacts that we might be changing out for next three years? Got old Town Clerk’s office space underneath. Could be solution.
LD: That topic had some discussion re mold of some kind. Could be a grant-generated Project?
FM: Is there someone we need to contact?
DM: Met with someone who might be willing to.
KV: So Fem going to get hold of Erin and three could meet with her. DM: Is there so someone else?
DP: Think Sally would be on it. I will tell her. AC:
Should I go? Would be Fem,Kurt, Sally and me. BD: Also H. Green.
DM: Should be contended dialog because have animated things with story we want to tell.
AC: Travel exhibit {from school) came back and just sitting onfloor. LD: Would be nice to have Indian exhibit up.
AC: Think it is in storage and can be taken out,
KV: Before that happens I suggest Board put together guidelines because that is what Erin has to go by.
DM: If going with education exhibit at cemetery would be having to come up with a
strategy to put together. Immediate thing is clean-up downstairs. The desk is very valuable. Will communicate that this committee set up and will say Fem will getin touch with her. Will put together guidelines and see what people think.
ANNUAL MEETING
DM: Andy and Fern have speakers, put together ,. Did anybody get it? .
.LD: Talked about cheese, cookies. Sally and I are doing,
FM: Did Andy write article about it?
LD: Historical Society papers?
DM: I don’t have. Want to focus in oon speaker and not focus on people. Thinking about successes for year and will address. Thinking about Building Committee; what happened with building, Program Committee shortly, minutes. If each want to talk about successes going on can. Then need .financial statement and minutes of last year. Meets only to receive statement of condition and election of members. Very brief And get copy into hands of whoever conducting meeting.
DP: Ask for copy.
DM: Where are we in that?
DP: Talk to Abbey. Rumor still trying to get on. Sally and Fem declined. Need new people.
BD: Other thing. Fem and Andy Board members. Both to come and sypport. DM: In next week will need five persons that could have. Need two more. Tom
Oliver, Sr. will not run or serve.
DP: Abby is a grant writer. Will check with her.
LD: If decline, what happens to House Committee persons. Do still serve? DM: If Tom Oliver, Jr. successful will have one. Are there other names?
LD: What Pam Callan DP: Was on before.
BD: Talked with someone from St. Albans who is interested.
DM: His wife passed away and he has a friend. DP and BD can be looking.
AC: Speaker Sue Schmidt, story teller, coaching and producer. Does lots of stuff in librar ies and on stage. Tells stories and shares favorites. Coaches people to become comfortable telling their own stories. Might want to have something in pocket
when come. Any other questions? Please come one and all.
DM: Finance Committee wass to get set of papers dealing with gifts, etc, (Cindy, Celeste, David and Kerrie).
AC: Hope self-explanatory. Policy framework is Financial Committee and deals with accepting gifts, on what we can and can’t accept. Can’t accept gifts that Finance Committee states “no“, gifts monetary or gifts that jeopardize its 501©3 status.
Identify range of gifts actively. If policy and Financial Committee works, then subject to approval of both Board and Financial Committee and screening of things offered. Opens door for legacy gifts that might have strings attached and decide gifts more troublesome.
KV: So.financial.
AC: Their call is separate set of policies that address concerns routine to.financial policy.
Identify it’s more trouble than worth and decline things such as that.
DM: Other thoughts?
KV: We have quite a few policies and procedures, and do we have a place where kept? AC: If have a place and administrative material.
LD: Should we have copies to give people if someone comes in and says they have things To give?
DM: Put whole bunch in there in manila envelope. AC: Speaks to need ofmanuel.
KV: Separate to counsel or hand out in case of changes. DP: If dated.
KV: Still have to control. DM: Other thoughts?
Motion by KV to accept if written; 2nd by Kerrie. Further discussion. All in favor. Passed.
COLLECTIONS POLICY
KV: Amended 07/02/20. Adds changes to rules.
DM: It’s that needs change. Big one may be page review of policies and procedures Should be reviewed.
BD: In excess of$1,000., #1, how make value ofthat?
DM: If may have collection worth $1,000 or more, need to go to Board. AC: We are not in business of appraising collections.
- B, next page, possession returned to – what if person passes away, where does it go?
KV: To estate.
AC: In case of aging would be their heirs. Could be signed agreement who wants per-son to receive it. Should authenticate at agreement. Just to make sure we are covered, that artifact returned to estate.
BD: Erin says transferred to owner. Owner is Sheldon Historical Society. They are No longer the owner.
DM: (Discussion on artifacts)
FM: This is where fraud would come into effect.
DM: Says we should, but if we do not have control of vault.
Other points?
BD: Don”t have page but are collected under tier part?
AC: Up to Collections Committee. Tiers help guide decision. Gives committee option of of bartyping. If someone donates something that hass no significant value we Would say “no”.
DM: Have items now that need to make transfer. KV: I do not want to be onewho handles that.
AC: May come in as single element that we have interest in. KV: That does not preclude bringing owner into process.
DM: If they give it it’s our property.
Other discussions?
BD: Last sentence, under #8, should word “space” be in there? DM: We are in Policy now.
Motion by KC, 2nd by LD. All in favor. Passed.
DM: Next items:
PATRIOTIC QUILT – Do we reserve this or put in for people?
FM: It was for an exhibit then left here. Is it something to put on display or use as fund-raiser?
KV: Suggest exhibit certain amount of tine then use as fundraiser, AC: To keep long enough to use as raffle.
FM: Could be future item of Calcutta. AC: Both July and Calcutta.
KV: Would be nice to have here for a time. DM: Calcutta not until end of September.
LD: How do we get tickets? FM: Make them.
DP: So Old Home Days,
DM: Do we keep for display or put up for auxiliary LD: Motion to raffle off at Calcutta.
2nd KV.
LD: Could sell tickets here and at Calcutta, and anytime in between.
AC: May be possible to sell tickets through website, Could log in from text where need Buy on website.
DM: Facebook account made – get sizeable number of hits. Motion to put on rajJl,e at Calcutta and start sale until Calcutta..It’s over.
AC: Six tickets for five bucks.
DM: Other discussions? Motion to have raffle on immediately, pull at Calcutta. All In favor. None opposed. Passed. 2 – $1.00, 3 – $5.00.
AC; Can print on office printer. How many? DM: If have format can add as go along.
KV: I I what about Grizzly Graphics? BD: Or UPS store.
AC: You will have tickets. DM; All set. Address.
AC: President to send appreciation note to Weld family. DM: Will do.
COMMIITEE UPDATES
DM: Need to know for Old Home Days. Meeting tomorrow. The 24th cancelled.
Questions?
TO,Sr. What is Old Home Days?
Bob’s doing bar-b-cue. May need help putting together. Meal $15.
DM: Collections Committee got stuff that Peter sent in.file. We have pictures of that.
Anything else pending?
PROGRAMS
DM: We have on list of activities another meeting coming up for August 23rd, at the Museum, Sponsor Recognition Event, 4-6 pm.
Another program planned that will bein conjunction with Sheldon Middlle School. Department history teacher interested in collaborating with Historical Society, so Thinking with school interested and 25Qth anniversary, John Vincent has fifty pages long in to letterpress printing and will bring. Rev. will notbetweeted. Theme will involve 7th and 8th graders. Will be at school. Will update on progress.
Left on Programs, looking at Calcutta, card parties, and Old Home Days.
FM; Another thing, July ] 8th, Vermont Sampler stories. Michele Pagan will betalking about arts and crafts; for anytime exercises for women, talking about influ-ences of that generation on their little girls. Will bring samplers and show how should be cared for.
HOUSE COMMIITEE
Dm: Anything to add?
LD: Just need volunteers, Thursday and Saturday. DM: Any other committees want to update?
KV: Wanted to do much, have not received newsletter. DM: Any other business?
(none).
Meeting adjourned 8:45 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Phyllis T. Archambault