The Spencer County Historical Society met on Tuesday, March 3, 2009 in the Rockport Library Genealogy Room.

The meeting was called to order by the president at 6:30 PM with eight members and one guest present.

The minutes from the last meeting were read and approved.

The treasurer’s report was given. 

It was mentioned that the 50 books had been sold to the Lincoln Bicentennial Committee for their “How Far Would You Walk for a Book” activity that is to take place on April 25, 2009.  The walk will start at the Lincoln Pioneer Village and they will possibly walk to the river. 

The Indiana Historical Society dues are up for renewal.  A motion was made and seconded to renew the membership.  The motion carried.

An article that had recently been in The Evansville Courier and Press about a 101 year old Rockport man, Col. James S. Wright, who was with the 25^th Indiana Volunteers during the Civil War, was mentioned.  It was from 75 years ago – 1934.  They were going to have his funeral at the Rockport Trinity M.E. Church with burial to follow in the Sunset Hill Cemetery, also in Rockport, Indiana. 

Col. Wright’s name was looked up on the Browning Genealogy web site and more information was found about the man.  It was mentioned that several years ago, Charles Browning, an Evansville, Indiana funeral director, gave a copy of his records to the Rockport Genealogy Room.  The records are an invaluable source on genealogical history.

Mr. Browning was honored by the Society for his donation of the information.

The president mentioned that the same Society member will continue to be the Spencer County Historian.

The president mentioned that several people had attended a lecture at the Evansville Museum and listened to a presentation on the subject of Abraham Lincoln.

The president read a letter from the Warrick County Museum.  They are doing repairs and asked for a donation.

The president read a letter from a man in South Carolina who has written a book about growing up in Henry County, Indiana. 

The president mentioned that he had received a CD collection of copyrighted pictures.  The president is going to get more clarification about how the pictures can be used.

The president mentioned that the Lincoln Pioneer Village had given the Society an index of all items that were in the Village.  They would like to have the copy back.  The only problem is that the copy is in a file cabinet and no one has the key to open it.  It was suggested that the Society contact someone to see if he will be able to open the cabinet.  It was also suggested that a copy of the index be made to give to the Village.  After the index is updated, the Village could then give us a revised copy.

It was mentioned that the Society has originals of the microfilm that is being used in the Genealogy Room.  It was discussed whether any of the ones in use needed to be replaced.

A member mentioned that he had been contacted by several people about his Lincoln projects and research.  Several people had indicated that they would be coming to the Historian of the Year Banquet in April.  The member has graciously offered to raffle off a replica of a Lincoln cabinet as a money raiser for the Society.  It was decided that anyone who purchased a ticket would be eligible for the drawing.

The Historian of the Year Banquet was the next topic.  It was decided who would receive the complimentary tickets.  It was decided that the press tickets would not be eligible for the drawing.

The speaker’s topic for the banquet will be about the carpentry of Thomas Lincoln.  It was mentioned that we need to advertise in the area papers and not just the local ones.

The menu was discussed.  Windell’s Catering will be in charge of the food.

The secretary is to get the one-day event insurance for the banquet.

The president had received a copy of a new Lincoln book – “Abe Lincoln Scrapbook”.  A motion was made and seconded to purchase the book.  The motion carried.

A member had a Lincoln print made by a local artist that he donated to the Society to have hung in the Genealogy Room.  A motion was made and seconded to accept the print and have it framed.  The motion carried.

A member mentioned a meeting with Nancy Kaiser of the Lincoln Pioneer Village about creating a museum to honor George Honig in the west building at the entrance to the Village.  A motion was made and seconded to use the $200.00 which a member donated for George Honig to help with the expenses. The motion carried.

The money will not be given until more progress is shown in the development of the Honig museum

A member had a request to send a book to Bedford Elementary in Bloomington, Indiana.  He sends “Lincoln and His Neighbors” and other articles.  A motion was made and seconded to allow him to send the information.  The motion carried.

A motion was made and seconded to adjourn the meeting.  The motion carried.  The meeting adjourned at 8:20 PM.

The next meeting will be April 7, 2009 at 6:30 PM in the Genealogy Room.