HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES_04-05-2018 Minutes of the April 5,2018 Board Meeting
(Approved at the May 3,2018 Board Meeting.)
The April meeting of the Oshkosh Public Museum Board was held Thursday, April 5, 2018, in the
Lecture Room of the Oshkosh Public Museum. President Hoffman called the meeting to order at
4:00 pm.
The roll was taken by Ms. Books.
Present: Present: Excused:
Randy Domer Rick Rego Becky Matzke,Vice President
Connie Drexler, Alternate Jean Thierman, Secretary John Dinegan, Leadership
Carol Fenrich Stan Mack, Superintendent of Oshkosh
Jim Hoffman, President Schools
Gabriel Loiacono, Arrived at 4:05 Barb Herzog, School Board Vice
President
With Ms. Matzke excused, Mr. Hoffman appointed Ms. Drexler.
Mr. Mack introduced his guest, Vickie Cartwright. Ms. Cartwright will be the new Oshkosh Area
School District Superintendent beginning July 1St, with Mr.Mack's retirement.
Mr. Hoffman and Mr. Larson then presented Mr. Mack with a plaque recognizing his 5 years of
service on the Oshkosh Public Museum Board. Mr. Mack has been a consistent advocate for the
Museum,helping to further collaboration between the Museum and the School District.
Also in attendance: Director Brad Larson, Auxiliary President Barbara Shirtz, Curator of
Exhibitions Debra Daubert, and Administrative Assistant Theresa Books recording the minutes.
There were no citizen statements to the Board.
Consent Agenda items included the following:
A. Minutes of the March Board meeting
B. April Bill List
Mr. Domer moved that the Consent Agenda be approved.
Second by Ms. Thierman.
The vote went as follows:
In Favor: In Favor: Against:
Mr. Domer Mr. Loiacono None
Ms. Drexler Mr. Mack
Ms. Fenrich Mr. Rego
Ms. Herzog Ms. Thierman
Mr. Hoffman
The vote was unanimous in favor and the Consent Agenda items were passed.
Minutes of the April 2018 Museum Board Meeting
Oshkosh Public Museum■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard■Oshkosh,Wisconsin 54901
Page 1 of 6
Mr.Larson then presented the Conceptual Plan for the Second Floor Galleries.When he completed
the presentation, he invited questions and discussion. Mr. Loiacono expressed that the plan is full
of exciting things and asked clarification, will Grandma's Attic and the Pioneer Cabin be taken out
once the new galleries are complete? Mr. Larson stated that is correct, because the area those two
elements are in now will become the large open space for temporary exhibits and for events. Mr.
Loiacono noted he feels it is important to have tactile things, such as those two elements, for the
younger children that visit.Ms.Thierman then asked,when the 2nd floor galleries are installed,will
there be temporary exhibits? Mr. Larson replied that for a brief time there would be no space for
temporary exhibits, until Memories and Dreams is removed. Mr. Mack recommended that before
the Paine Lumber diorama is taken out, the removal could be used to promote people visiting one
more time to see it before it is taken down. When the discussion ended, Mr. Larson noted the
importance of the Board approving the design, as it is an important step in general fundraising.He
also noted that the Board is not voting on a final design, as the details get worked out in the next
phase, called Design Development, in 2020.
Ms. Herzog moved that the Board adopt the Conceptual Plan for the 2nd Floor Galleries.
Ms. Fenrich seconded the motion.
The vote went as follows:
In Favor: In Favor: Against:
Mr. Domer Mr. Loiacono None
Ms. Drexler Mr. Mack
Ms. Fenrich Mr. Rego
Ms. Herzog Ms. Thierman
Mr. Hoffman
The vote was unanimous in favor with the Board adopting the Conceptual Plan for the 2nd Floor
Galleries.
Prior to the meeting the Board was supplied with recommended changes for the Collections
Management Policy and Code of Ethics. These changes are recommended by the reaccreditation
reviewers from the American Alliance of Museums. There were no questions.
Mr. Mack moved that the Board approve the recommended changes to the Collections
Management Policy and Code of Ethics as presented.
Mr. Rego seconded the motion.
Minutes of the April 2018 Museum Board Meeting
Oshkosh Public Museum■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard■Oshkosh,Wisconsin 54901
Page 2 of 6
The vote went as follows:
In Favor: In Favor: Against:
Mr. Domer Mr. Loiacono None
Ms. Drexler Mr. Mack
Ms. Fenrich Mr. Rego
Ms. Herzog Ms. Thierman
Mr. Hoffman
The vote was unanimous in favor, the Board approved the recommended changes to the
Collections Management Policy and Code of Ethics.
Mr. Hoffman requested that Mr. Larson present the monthly Director's Report.
Mr. Larson began reporting that the process of selling the Durow Trust Fund investments in order
to comply with State Statute 66.0603 will begin shortly, as soon as the market is favorable. A
meeting with Associated Bank is scheduled for Monday, April 23, to discuss not only the start of
the transition, but also other steps the Board might take. Mr. Larson will keep the Board updated
as this process moves along. He noted that as 2019 budget planning begins in a few months, it is
important that he and the Board understand what can be anticipated for the annual return on
Durow investments.
Next, Mr. Larson reported that every spring, and during periods of heavy rain, the Museum
experiences water problems in the Sawyer Home and the Carriage House basements; over the
years the problem is slowly but steadily becoming more acute. He noted that both buildings lack
drain tiles around the foundation, and sump pumps. While adding these essential features would
be costly,Mr.Larson believes they are necessary for the long term stability of the structures. While
the Museum has a full load of pending capital improvement projects for the next five years, Mr.
Larson does not believe those projects should be seen as a deterrent to submitting a request for
future foundation work, as it often takes time to ensure a project is included and funded. For that
reason,he will discuss this with the City Manager during the Capital Improvement request review
in June.
In conclusion, Mr. Larson reported that the Museum's Crestmobile will soon be transferred to the
Garnavillo Historical Society in Garnavillo, Iowa (deaccessioned March 2, 2017.) This small town
is where the car was purchased and used, and there is clear and firm documentation on that.Many
years ago the historical society had asked that the car be returned to them, or placed on long term
loan. The Museum Board at that time voted against those options. The vehicle was never used in
Wisconsin and there is no record of why it came to this museum. Staff is confident that this car is
not in keeping with the Museum's mission,whereas,the Garnavillo Historical Society is thrilled to
Minutes of the April 2018 Museum Board Meeting
Oshkosh Public Museum■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard■Oshkosh,Wisconsin 54901
Page 3 of 6
be able to return this "famous' car to their community. This transfer will take place on Monday,
May 7. That concluded the Director's Report.
President Hoffman offered congratulations to the Museum Auxiliary that they received the much
deserved award from the City of Oshkosh for their years of community service working with the
Oshkosh Public Museum.
President Hoffman requested the World War One Commemoration Committee Report.
Mr. Loiacono provided minutes to the Board of the last meeting of the World War One
Commemoration Committee. He highlighted that Mr. Larson will be presenting on World War
One to the Learning in Retirement group in May,here at the Museum. The Museum is creating an
exhibition regarding World War One that will be open in June 17 - October 7, 2018. Mayor
Cummings is sending a letter to area churches asking that they ring their church bells for 5 minutes
on November 11th at 11:00 a.m., in memory of the end of the War, just as churches did 100 years
ago on that day. The Committee is also working with the Northwestern, regarding reprinting the
story about the end of the War that ran 100 years ago. Ms. Drexler recommended also contacting
the Oshkosh Herald and Oshkosh Independent to work on this project.
Mr. Hoffman then requested that Ms. Shirtz present the Auxiliary Report.
Auxiliary President Barb Shirtz began by noting that the Auxiliary is very proud to have received
the Partnership Award from the City of Oshkosh for their work with the Museum. It's a beautiful
award and they will set it out at every meeting for all to see. She brought it to the Board meeting
to show the Museum Board. Ms. Shirtz handed out a flyer as a reminder of the date the Auxiliary
has their May fundraiser at Culvers. She asked that the Board pass along the information to friends
and family.The date for Pie on the Lawn is Sunday,July 8th from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.In conclusion,
Ms. Shirtz reported that with Dick Campbell unable to speak at their meeting next week, Curator
Debra Daubert kindly agreed to do a presentation. That concluded the Auxiliary Report.
With no other agenda items, Mr. Hoffman asked for a motion to adjourn. Ms. Thierman so moved
and Ms. Herzog seconded the motion.
The vote was unanimous in favor and the motion was passed.
The meeting adjourned at 4:55 p.m.
Minutes of the April 2018 Museum Board Meeting
Oshkosh Public Museum■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard■Oshkosh,Wisconsin 54901
Page 4 of 6
Oshkosh WWI Commemoration Committee
MINUTES
3/14/18
Present: Becky Matzke, Gabe Loiacono, Bob Campbell, Brad Larson, Karla Szekeres, Deb
Daubert
Update on events and projects since last meeting—
• Gabe—standees
• Media attention—Fox 11 story picked up from UWO marketing division story;
student newspaper also did a story.
• Karla will keep the master schedule of moving standees, locations. E-mail her
about distributing. She added all the locations for standees on website.
• Becky—WWI music event, Oshkosh Public Library, OPL WWI film festival, January
2018
Discussion of future events —
• Oshkosh Public Museum—WWI exhibit, June 17 —Oct. 7, 2018.
Deb Daubert, OPM—exhibit "For Home and Country"will focus on artifacts, personal
angle. Gallery in four sections: 1)patriotic propaganda; using audio wands —will have
music recordings, readings of letters. 2) "A Long Way from Home"—both training and
overseas, arriving at war, women's involvement, sickness; 3) Nightmare of Battlefield—in
a trench, rats; with wand can listen to sounds of battle, letters; gas and personal items; 4)
"Remembering Forever"—aftermath at home; casualties, shell shock, injuries, Red Cross
and agencies to help.
Greenhouse is growing poppies which will be displayed out front;people will be able to
make a poppy at the end.
Gabe—UWO first-year experience classes —three taught by different professors in the fall
have WWI topics. May come to visit the museum's exhibit. Becky also teaching Ripon
class on WWI—visit also.
Plan a member event for the fall (which gets better attendance than summer) and a public
event also? Maybe in September, closer to end of exhibit. Include high school singers
doing songs from the archives. Becky will check with high school choir directors once our
date or dates are set.
Brad has checked with reenactors, but they have not gotten back to him. Will give up on
that idea for now.
The committee will ask Susan Maxwell of UWO Art History—could she give a talk about
the art of the propaganda posters? Also art of WWI? This might be a good part of the
member and/or public events.
• UWO —WWI symposium, 2018 —November? October?
Minutes of the April 2018 Museum Board Meeting
Oshkosh Public Museum■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard■Oshkosh,Wisconsin 54901
Page 5 of 6
o Gabe will check with history department about setting a date. Idea of modeling it
after the past fall's Luther symposium—lots of attendance and participation.
• Talks and presentations in 2018
• OPL talks scheduled for May, including Brad—May 8 on 150' machine gun
battalion. Brad also talking on May 16 here to Learning in Retirement group.
• Bob —talk about doing some WWI aviation at this year's EAA AirVenture. Karla
will link to any event on museum Facebook page.
• "Armistice Day" commemoration event(s), 2018
• Sunday, Nov. 11, 1918
• Line Main Street with flags and bunting for that day?
• Ask the Northwestern to run a story on the armistice in 1918 that weekend
• Ask local churches to ring bells at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11 (as was done in 1918).
• Brad reported that Parks Board agreed to change name of Rainbow Park back to
Rainbow Memorial Park, but has been no action since then. Brad will ask Ray
Mauer. Maybe incorporate a name change ceremony into armistice
commemoration?
• Becky—can draft story for Northwestern for anniversary of armistice.
• Karla—will plan a story or stories about the armistice, information about events, a
park name change (if it happens) for the fall Muse. It would come out end of
August, run for Sept-Nov.
Minutes of the April 2018 Museum Board Meeting
Oshkosh Public Museum■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard■Oshkosh,Wisconsin 54901
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