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Minutes of the February 13, 2019 Board Meeting
(Approved at the March 7,2019 Board Meeting.)
The February meeting of the Oshkosh Public Museum Board was held Wednesday, February 13,
2019,in the Sawyer Library of the Oshkosh Public Museum. President Hoffman called the meeting
to order at 4:00 pm.
The roll was taken by Ms. Books.
PRESENT AT ROLL: Board Members Connie Drexler,Carol Fenrich,Jim Hoffman,Becky Matzke,
Rick Rego,Jean Thierman, and Leadership Oshkosh Adjunct Member Nathaniel Shuda.
In Director Domer's place Mr. Hoffman appointed Ms. Drexler.
ALSO PRESENT:Museum Director,Brad Larson;Registrar Emily Rock,Auxiliary President Kathy
Wuest;and Administrative Assistant Theresa Books recording the minutes.
President Hoffman reported that he came to the Museum February 8th to express the Board's
appreciation to outgoing Registrar Joan Lloyd for her work for the Museum. Her employment
began just following the Museum fire in 1994 and continued through the years, with a finale of
working on the award winning exhibition People of the Waters. He also presented her with the card
and gift from the Board.
Mr. Larson then introduced Registrar Emily Rock. Emily had opportunity to work with Ms. Lloyd
for three weeks,learning processes and procedures. Ms. Rock has a Master's degree in History and
seven years'experience in Museum work. He stated that she is already fitting in wonderfully with
Museum staff.
There were no citizen statements to the Board.
Consent Agenda items included:
A. Minutes of the January Board Meeting
B. February Bill List
C. Receipt and filing 4th Quarter Fund Reports from the Oshkosh Area Community
Foundation
MOTION: Adopt Consent Agenda(Thierman; second Rego)
CARRIED: Yes (6) Drexler, Fenrich, Hoffman, Matzke, Rego, Thierman,.
Next on the agenda was discussion and vote on authorizing$580 of Collection Fund earnings to
conserve a 1907 political cartoon related to the 1906 primary election for Winnebago County
Sheriff. Mr. Larson noted the cartoon is a pen and ink drawing about 2 feet by 3 feet. If it isn t
stabilized, it will deteriorate beyond use. The recommendation of the Museum's Collections
Review Committee (CRC)is to preserve/stabilize the cartoon,not to restore it. It would cost$1,380
Minutes of the February 2019 Museum Board Meeting
Oshkosh Public Museum■1331 Algoma Boulevard■Oshkosh,Wisconsin 54901
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to restore. Ms. Thierman asked if the piece will ever be on display. Mr. Larson said there are no
plans for it,however,with the preservation treatment digital images are included that can make it
available for online accessibility and for print. Discussion followed.
MOVED: The Museum Board authorize $580 of Collection Fund earnings to conserve the 1907
political cartoon related to the 1906 primary election for Winnebago County Sheriff.
(Thierman; second Fenrich.)
CARRIED: Yes (6) Drexler, Fenrich, Hoffman, Matzke, Rego, Thierman.
Discussion and vote on authorizing up to$4,000 from the Durow Trust to purchase an Art
Nouveau vase to mark the 10th Anniversary of the Durow Trust was next on the agenda. Mr.
Larson reported that he and Durow Curator Anna Cannizzo discussed how to celebrate the 10th
anniversary of the Durow Trust. They feel an Art Nouveau vase, which is period to the Sawyer
home and which Mr. Durow particularly liked,would be a good acquisition. It can be
highlighted in the Sawyer Library and included in an article about the Durow Trust. It can also be
used in the exhibition area of the new entrance. Pieces like this are in the range of$2,000 -$4,000.
Discussion followed.
MOTION: The Board authorize up to $4,000 from the Durow Trust to purchase an Art Nouveau
vase to mark the 10th Anniversary of the Durow Trust. (Drexler; second Thierman)
CARRIED: Yes (6) Drexler, Fenrich, Hoffman, Matzke, Rego, Thierman.
Next Mr. Larson requested the Board move the May meeting to May 9f. Brief discussion
followed and the Board agreed to have the May Board meeting on the 9th.
Mr. Hoffman requested Mr. Larson present the monthly Director's Report.
Mr. Larson began by giving an update on the Menominee Clan Figures exhibition. He noted the
wood bases are done,the curved wall is finished, and the electrical and sprinkler head changes are
completed. The next step is priming and painting of the ceiling and walls. The background mural
was removed from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Museum of Natural History and is
now laid out in the Lecture Room awaiting the necessary preparation before installation.The mural
has drywall paper adhered to the back of the canvas that must be removed before the canvas is
applied to the curved wall. The "rocks' will be fabricated from epoxy-covered foam. Work on the
Clan Figures exhibition will resume after Dressed to Play! opens on February 17. It is assumed the
exhibition will be completed in time to open in May, although no date has been set.
Mr. Larson reported that the annual review of the Durow Trust by Michael Hochholzer of
Associated Bank will be held at the March 7 meeting. As in previous years, it is likely that Director
of Finance Trena Larson and City Attorney Lynn Lorenson will attend, as well as City Manager
Mark Rohloff. It is expected Museum staff will receive the report from Associated Bank in the next
Minutes of the February 2019 Museum Board Meeting
Oshkosh Public Museum■1331 Algoma Boulevard■Oshkosh,Wisconsin 54901
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two weeks. Ms. Books will get those to the Board as soon as possible so that there is ample time to
review the information prior to the March meeting.This year's report will reflect the sale of mutual
funds last summer, and then the subsequent reinvestment of those funds according to state
statutes.
In conclusion, Mr. Larson noted that periodically Museum funds and their associated policies are
reviewed internally. As a result of those reviews, it is prudent to bring them before the Board for
discussion and possible amendment. This keeps the Board informed and up-to-date so that
informed oversight continues and modifications are considered based on changed or new
circumstances. To provide ample time for Board review, Mr. Larson will send a summary of the
Collections Funds to the Board, along with suggested changes to the policy. He noted the
Museum's two Collections Funds enable the Museum to have selected artifacts sent out for
conservation treatment, and they enable the Museum to purchase exceptional items. For that
reason it is vital that staff and Board continue careful oversight of these Funds. That concluded the
Director's Report.
President Hoffman thanked Brad for his 30 years of service to the Museum,noting that Mr. Larson
took the Museum through the rebuild after the fire and was at the helm for many excellent projects
through the years. Mr. Larson celebrated 30 years as Museum Director on January 301h.
There were no Board member statements.
Mr. Hoffman then requested that Ms. Wuest present the Auxiliary Report.
Auxiliary President Kathy Wuest began by reporting that for the January program Denise Blaze,
dressed in period costume, portrayed Mary Todd Lincoln's sister. She spoke about Mrs. Lincoln's
years in the Whitehouse, the birth and death of their children and post Whitehouse years. Ms.
Wuest reported new business for January included plans for the next Culvers fundraiser and
beginning discussions of a possible bake sale in conjunction with the Paine's Spring Faire. That
concluded the Auxiliary Report.
With no other agenda items, Mr. Hoffman asked for a motion to adjourn. Ms. Matzke so moved
and Ms. Thierman seconded the motion.
The vote was unanimous in favor and the motion was passed.
The meeting adjourned at 4:26 p.m.
Minutes of the February 2019 Museum Board Meeting
Oshkosh Public Museum■1331 Algoma Boulevard■Oshkosh,Wisconsin 54901
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