04 10 1995 Oro-Medonte History Committee - MinutesTHE T CWN S' I P OF CR 0 -':D O'?TE
::ISTORY COMEITTEE i:;EETING
nPRIL 10, 1995
The Township of Oro-Medonte History Committee met this evening at
the Township Administr.ticn Building in the Board Room.
The following members were present:
Absent
Loreen (Rice) Lucas Walter Hutchinson
Tim Crawford Earl Robertson Carl Campetelli
Henry Neufeld Jadeen Henderson Bernice Hickling
Lary Garbutt
Opening: The Chairman opended the meeting at 7:30 p.m.
Minutes: The minutes of the last regular meeting held on March 14,
1995, were on motion of Loreen (Rice) Lucas end Earl
Robertson adopted as printed and received.
Communications. Correspondence
(a) Secretary presented copy of letter forwarded to Ken Sitter,
Project Co-0rdinator, Hurcnia Tourist Association (HTA),
County of Simcoe, forwarding list of additional plaques,
monuments or Cairns, in the Township of Oro-I1edonte, not
shown in the list of Historic Sites/Attractions, as forwarded
in his letter of February 20, 1995. The list attached to the
letter to Ken Sitter named four additional histcric sites,
which had not been included.
(b) Some other items were mentioned which will be dealt with under
Unfinished Business.
It was moved by Earl Robertson and seconded by Walter Hutchinson
that copy of letter as presented and forwarded accepted as
satisfactory and be filed for reference.
Old and Unfinished Business
(a) The matter of additonal members to the History Committee from
the former :w:edonte Area was brought forward. Several names were
suggested and it was left that Jadeen Henderson contact them
and invite them to the next regular meeting of this Committee.
(b) Report on attendance by members of this Committee at 0rillia
Historical Society at which Garry E. French was to be the Speaker.
The topic included 'Black's in Oro'
(c) The Chairman and Mrs. Loreen (Rice) Lucas reported on the progress
of the Video Project. A copy of story book from proposed,
entitled 'looking out the window'(this includes pictures
and sayings or captions to each), had been forwarded to Sue and
Harvey Anderson with request to comment or criticize. Since
these included Indian Trails and pictures it appeared appropriate
to have their comments, if any. After which when favourable
comments are received a Video could be produced.
(d) The Chairman and Jadeen Henderson advised that the had toured
the area and produced on Video action of Maple Syrup time in
New Business
(a) Research on the African Church from Township File:
Purpose: (i) to look into Township money expended on the Building-
1948-1949 expenditure when the African Church was first
restored or renovated by the Township of Oro. (for actual
costs Minutes may have to be searched for this -,:urpose)
(ii) Expenditure for new roof and new floor
(iii) 1981 expenditure when the building was vandalised. The
amount for this was arroximately :328GO. Donations were
received, including some from the Black History Society.
( Township share at this time was over $20•00)
(iv) saint for ceiling and whitewash for the logs in the interior
in 1994. Work done by members of the History Committee
(v) Ccsts involved for services held since 1949, usually every
five years, which includes costs involved for Speakers,
music, P.A. System and cleaning until the last two services
when the cleaning work was done by the members of the History
Committee, including the painting.
(b) The Chairman had gone through the Township file on the African
Church and produced a summary of activities, actions and some
expenditures.
After consideration and review of the material presented in
the summary it was recommended that a copy of the material be
photo copied and appended to the Minutes of this meeting, in this
way Council members would be made aware of what has taken place
over the years at the African Church. Including the fact that
measures had been taken to obtain legal title to the property,
unforunately this was not acconpished since the party that was
in the process of presenting to a meeting of the Black History
Society passed on during the process. Since no further resu'ts
have been accomplished. (attached material indicates above)
(c) Walter Hutchinson retorted that he had received a telephone call
from Ms. Margaret Cole asking if he would open the Church to allow
visitors to enter the Church. The persons present were -
Margaret Cole, The Rev. Jean Burke Markam, Historian, ME Church,
Garry E French and Ken Sitter. Councillor Neil Craig was also
present.
Walter Hutchinson also presented a letter he had received from
The Rev. Jean Burke Markam expressing her person appreciation
and thanks for the continuing interest shown in the above
property and its preservation. In her letter she refers to the
Church as 'British Methodist Church at Oro (formerly)'African
Methodist Episcopal Church'. It may be noted that a copy of the
Deed in Registry Office is in the name of African Methodist
Episcopal Church, and naming Trustees.
There being no further business at hand it was moved by Earl
Robertson that the meeting adjourn at 9:00 p.m. to meet again
on Monday, May 15, 1995.
Henry Neufeld, Tim CrEiwford,
Secretary Chairman