Ohio History Journal

MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE

BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE OHIO             STATE

ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL

SOCIETY, APRIL 24, 1942

 

The Board of Trustees of the Ohio State Archaeological and

Historical Society met at 1 :00 P.M., Friday, April 24, 1942, in

the Trustees' room of the Ohio State Museum. President John-

son presided over the meeting, which was attended by the follow-

ing Trustees: Messrs. Johnson, Eagleson, Florence, Miller, Nor-

ton, Rightmire and Spetnagel. Director Shetrone, Secretary Lind-

ley and Miss Josephson were also present.

The President called the meeting to order and moved that

the minutes of the last meeting be approved. Dr. Rightmire sec-

onded this motion which carried. The President then called upon

the Secretary to read a report from the Executive Committee in re

the proposal for a revision of the constitution. This was read and

ordered to be placed on record.

The Secretary next reported on the lack of funds (due to

increased prices) for the completion of the publication of all the

volumes in the six-volume History of the State of Ohio. The Sec-

retary recommended that the Emergency Board be asked for an

appropriation for the necessary sum. On the carrying of a motion

made by Mr. Norton and seconded by Gen. Florence, the staff

was authorized to place the matter before the Emergency Board.

The next item mentioned by the Secretary was the desirabil-

ity for a committee to be appointed to cooperate with the Staff in

arranging for a Henry Howe celebration in 1943. The President

agreed to appoint such a committee.

The Director then reported on a bequest to the Society from

the late Mrs. Lillian Bimeler Sturm in the form of a residence

and household goods at Zoar as well as a trust fund of $10,000 for

the upkeep of this property. Mr. Zepp, Curator of State Me-

morials, was called upon to report on the details of this bequest.

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234    OHIO ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL QUARTERLY

Mr. Miller moved and Mr. Norton seconded the motion that the

gift be accepted. The motion carried.

Discussion also took place on the matter of the acquisition of

the blacksmith shop at Zoar. Mr. Zepp explained that this could

be acquired from the Muskingum Conservancy District for $695

which sum need not be paid this year. On the carrying of a

motion made by Mr. Miller and seconded by Mr. Norton, the

acquisition of the blacksmith shop was ordered.

The Director then reported on the renewal of an insurance

policy for the Hayes Memorial--coverage to be $32,500 and pre-

mium for the period of three years to the amount of $356.

Mr. Spetnagel moved and Mr. Miller seconded the motion that

the policy be renewed. The motion carried.

The Director then reported on the desirability to dispose of

the three cannon in the possession of the Society so that these

might be secured by the Federal Government for defense pur-

poses. The President remarked that he was familiar with the

problem since he had been a member of the commission appointed

by Governor Donahey to distribute the train-loads of cannon and

guns shipped to the State after the first World War. A motion

was made by Mr. Spetnagel and seconded by Dr. Rightmire that

the Staff be directed to give these cannon, either directly or in-

directly, to the Federal Government for use in the prosecution of

the present war.

The next item on the agenda was the election of officers. A

motion was made by Mr. Norton and seconded by Gen. Florence

that the Secretary be directed to cast a ballot for the reelection

of the incumbent officers. The motion carried unanimously. An-

other motion was made by Dr. Rightmire and seconded by

Mr. Eagleson that the present Staff be reemployed for another

year. This motion also carried unanimously.

The Secretary next reported on the possibility of securing

for a reasonable sum ($300.00) an additional number of manu-

scripts to supplement the present Jay Cooke collection. With the

consent of the Trustees the President directed the Secretary to

proceed with such an acquisition if the material proved to be

worth while.

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OHIO HISTORY CONFERENCE, 1942           235

 

The Secretary then read a letter from Mr. Levis relative to

his war service and his willingness to resign if the Board so

desired. The President instructed the Secretary to write Mr.

Levis that the Board was proud to have another one of its Trus-

tees in the patriotic service of our country.

Mr. Eagleson then presented the Society with an anti-

slavery pamphlet, entitled An Address Delivered before the Col-

onisation Society of Kentucky, at Frankfort, on the 6th Day of

January, 1861, by Robert J. Breckinridge, as the gift of Judge

Harold A. Ritz. The President authorized the acceptance of this

pamphlet and instructed the Secretary to write a letter of thanks

to Judge Ritz for his valuable gift.

The President then spoke of the invaluable material help and

unfailing interest of Albert C. Spetnagel in promoting the work

of the Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Society and pro-

posed that in recognition thereof, Mr. Spetnagel be designated an

Honorary Patron of the Society. The proposal carried unani-

mously and Mr. Spetnagel, very much moved by the honor ac-

corded him, spoke briefly about the need for publicizing the work

of the Society in order to give more and better information to the

public at large. The Director then remarked that the Staff was

doing and would continue to do its best in this regard.

The President next proposed that in view of his considerable

benefactions to the Society, Charles Kettering be designated an

Honorary Benefactor of the Society. Dr. Rightmire moved and

Mr. Norton seconded the motion that Mr. Kettering be so desig-

nated. The motion carried unanimously.

The Secretary and President with the consent of the Trustees

present fixed the date for the July meeting to be at IO o'clock

Saturday, July 18, 1942. After a brief request from the Director

for cooperation from the Trustees in the membership drive the

meeting adjourned.

HARLOW LINDLEY, Secretary

 

The proceedings of the Ohio History Conference, including

the minutes and reports of the Ohio State Archaeological and His-

torical Society, and a portion of the papers prepared and presented,

end herewith.

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