HomeMy WebLinkAbout02. Museum Minutes 0SHK0Sh
, `I'ubliclV�uSeum Minutes of the July 9,2020 Board Meeting
(Approved at the August 6,2020 Board Meeting.)
Discover • Connect • Inspire
The July meeting of the Oshkosh Public Museum Board was held Thursday, July 9, 2020, in the
Sawyer Library of the Oshkosh Public Museum.President Thierman called the meeting to order at
4:00 pm. Mr. Domer volunteered to record the minutes.
The roll was taken by Randy Domer.
PRESENT AT ROLL: Board Members Randy Domer, Carol Fenrich, Jim Hoffman, Rick Rego,
President Jean Thierman, Alternate Connie Drexler, and School Board President Barb Herzog.
Present via ZOOM:Vice President Gabe Loiacono, Alternate Joe Stephenson.
EXCUSED: Secretary Becky Matzke.
ABSENT: Superintendent of Schools Vickie Cartwright.
Ms. Thierman appointed Ms. Drexler to serve in Ms. Matzke's place.
ALSO PRESENT:Museum Director Brad Larson,Durow Curator of Collections/Assistant Director
Anna Cannizzo, and Auxiliary President Kathy Wuest.
The election of officers for 2020-2021 was announced and the floor opened for nominations. No
individual nominations were offered and there was no discussion except to suggest that the current
slate of officers be re-elected for 2020-2021.There was general concurrence.
MOTION: Adopt the existing slate of officers for a second term;Jean Thierman President, Gabe
Loiacono Vice President,Becky Matzke Secretary. (Barb Herzog; second Rick Rego)
CARRIED:Yes(8)Domer,Drexler, Fenrich,Hoffman, Loiacono,Rego, Thierman, and Herzog.
There were no citizen statements to the Board and none were received.
Consent Agenda items included:
A. Minutes of the March Board Meeting
B. April, May,June, and July Bill Lists
MOTION: Adopt Consent Agenda. (Drexler; second Fenrich).
CARRIED: Yes (8) Domer,Drexler,Fenrich,Hoffman, Loiacono,Rego, Thierman; and Herzog.
Minutes of the July 2020 Museum Board Meeting
Oshkosh Public Museum■1331 Algoma Boulevard■Oshkosh,Wisconsin 54901
Page 1 of 3
The next item was discussion and vote on the repatriation request from the Stockbridge-Munsee
Tribe for the John Quinney powder horn, artifact 2002.63.1.President Thierman asked Mr. Larson
for his presentation.
Mr. Larson began by explaining that in January the tribe requested the return of this horn but due
to the cyberattack and then the pandemic, presenting this for Board action was delayed.He stated
that the Collection Review Committee is unanimously of the opinion it should be returned because
Quinney was a grand sachem of the Stockbridge-Munsee, it holds great meaning for the tribe, and
because they have a museum and staff to care for it. He then asked Ms. Cannizzo to elaborate.
Ms. Cannizzo explained that John Quinney was the tribe's grand sachem from 1852 to1855 and led
the tribe during a period of great change. He was responsible for many accomplishments and is
highly regarded by the Stockbridge Munsee people. Ms. Cannizzo explained that the horn was an
old unclaimed loan from the very earliest years of the Museum. The tribe had requested it
previously, but the Museum had to follow state law so that it could formally become Museum
property. There is no provenance as to how it came into the owner's possession. The tribe is citing
the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and identifies the horn
as an item of cultural patrimony. She stated the Stockbridge-Munsee have the resources to care for
this object at the Arvid E. Miller Memorial Library Museum, located in Boulder,Wisconsin. If the
Board approved, there is at least a six week waiting period while the pending repatriation is
published by NAGPRA to see if any other claimants come forward.
MOTION: Repatriate the horn to the Stockbridge Munsee Tribe. (Rego; second Fenrich)
CARRIED: Yes (8)Domer,Drexler, Fenrich,Hoffman, Loiacono,Rego, Thierman, and Herzog.
Ms. Thierman then requested Mr. Larson present the July Director's Report.
Mr. Larson began by expressing his happiness at once again having a Board meeting, and hoped
everyone was well. He was unsure whether there would be an August meeting, but a September
meeting was certainly called for.
The Director then explained his submitted capital improvement requests for the period 2021
through 2025. He stated that the Museum's building entrance and modification project that has
been developed with Engberg Anderson Architects over the last three years has been removed
from the City's capital improvement program. In its place is the lesser building modifications that
were rejected previously [i.e., in 2009], and he reviewed what those modification would be. He
then moved through the annual table of proposed projects and summarized each and why they
were selected and submitted.Mr. Larson reminded Board members that just because a project is
Minutes of the July 2020 Museum Board Meeting
Oshkosh Public Museum■1331 Algoma Boulevard■Oshkosh,Wisconsin 54901
Page 2 of 3
included in a given five year capital plan does not guarantee funding,and that fact makes planning
very challenging because they are often tied to the use of trusts and funds.
He answered Board member questions before concluding the July Report.
President Thierman had no President's Report.
Ms. Thierman requested the Auxiliary Report.
Auxiliary President Kathy Wuest began by reporting the Auxiliary has not met since March, but
members have been in contact with one another by phone and email. The Auxiliary Board
anticipates meeting in mid-July. Members are working to put together the 2020-2021 booklet. In
conclusion, Ms. Wuest stated there was no Pie on the Lawn event and that there will be no
November Gala.
With no other agenda items,Ms.Thierman asked for a motion to adjourn. (Loiacono;second Rego)
The vote was unanimous in favor and the motion was passed.
The meeting adjourned at 4:50 p.m.
Minutes of the July 2020 Museum Board Meeting
Oshkosh Public Museum■1331 Algoma Boulevard■Oshkosh,Wisconsin 54901
Page 3 of 3