HC Heritage Trust holds monthly meeting

The monthly meeting of Henry County Heritage Trust was held Tuesday, April 23, 2019, in the Donald Young Library at the Henry County Heritage Center Museum in Mt. Pleasant. All nine board members were able to attend: Sheila Allender, Lynn Conrad, Waunita Gibbons, David McCoid, Terry McNair, Pat Richenberger, David Van Allen, Ken Vandevoort and Pat White.

Minutes of the last meeting and current financial reports were presented and approved. Roof repairs and landscaping proposals for the Van Allen House were discussed. Railing for the new ramp will be installed in the near future. An update on displays at the Heritage Center Museum was presented.

The recent historic house tour was deemed a success, despite the low turnout of visitors. The tour received excellent publicity in the press, before and after the event, and there was good feedback from those who attended and toured the homes.

Correspondence included notification that the Mt. Pleasant High School, Class of 1969, will be celebrating their 50th high school reunion and have scheduled a tour for Sept. 7.

Recent discoveries in the archives were shared: Guest book for the 1936 opening of Mt. Pleasant's City Hall on West Monroe Street and a petition against the adoption of Daylight Savings Time, signed by more than 1,000 local citizens.

Mona and David Gates attended the meeting and were welcomed as new members of the board. They have spent countless hours volunteering at the Van Allen House and the Museum.

After adjourning, the board toured the second floor classroom where HCHT will be hosting the Alive After Five, Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce event on Wednesday, May 1, 5-7 pm.

Starting May 4, the Henry County Heritage Center Museum will be open every Saturday afternoon, 1 – 4 p.m.; any other times by appointment. The Van Allen House is open by appointment only. Admission is free; donations are welcome. Contact 319-385-4983.