HOURS OF OPERATION

ISLAND HERITAGE NETWORK

January 23, 2008

Members Present:  Rick Castellano, Roger Sherman, Anita Dragoo, Elizabeth Fairfax, Gabrielle Thurman, Joy Iverson, Ron Hancock, Ruth Hancock, Brett Bayne, Lynda Richards

The meeting was called to order by the Chair, Joy Iverson, at 10:05 a.m. in the Conference Room of the Island County Historical Society Museum. 

Guests & New Members:

Betsy Arand, Assistant Managing Librarian, Oak Harbor Public Library

Tina Dinzle-Pederson, Interpretive Specialist for the State Parks on Camano Island

Bob & Joan Pickerell, Admirals Cove Community History Committee

Rob Harbour, Program Presenter, “Oral History in Island County”

BUSINESS:

After explaining the mission and purpose of the Heritage Network, the Chair called for a meeting of the support committee volunteers for next Wednesday, January 30^th, at 10:00 a.m. in the ICHS Conference Room.  The meeting is to establish the programs for the Network for the remainder of the year.  Members of this committee are Roger Sherman, Gabrielle Thurman, Joy Iverson, Anita Dragoo, and Ruth Hancock.

The suggested Errata Form was discussed.  This is an issue because family histories sometimes disagree with the established historical documentation.  Elizabeth Fairfax noted authors write books with an agenda, therefore, readers must realize the author is using dates and facts to support the thesis of the book.  Further, it is not the individual reader’s responsibility to correct perceived errors because it is not necessarily their agenda.  On the other hand, it was noted by Anita Dragoo this is the way erroneous historical data becomes accepted as the truthful and factual.  It was suggested a small group of individuals review the errata form and suggest modification for further discussion by the Network membership.  Rick Castellano suggested perceived corrections or differing opinions could be posted on the museum website.  The Network does not want to discourage authors from historical writing with undue criticism.  Anita Dragoo, Elizabeth Fairfax and Gabrielle Thurman will review the form before the next meeting and bring suggestions back to the group.

ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION:

Betsy Arand, Assistant Managing Librarian, Oak Harbor Public Library.  She noted the Library has received additional funding to supplement its local history collection.  She inquired if there were any local history volumes that the Library may not be aware of or have in the present collection.  Network members can e-mail her with suggestions.  Elizabeth Fairfax noted she was authorized to offer minutes of the Board of the County Commissions back to 1853, however, there are some gaps in the records.   For example, there are two months during World War I that the minutes are missing.  Rob Harbour noted the Reserve has 80 pages of an unpublished manuscript documenting the lives of Chinese immigrant farmers on Whidbey Island.  In addition, the Reserve has a Master Thesis on early farming methods on the prairie.  Ms. Arand was not sure unpublished manuscripts would be appropriate for the Local History Collection, but she will check.

David Menard, Sno-Isle Library, Camano Island, is the new Librarian for the Camano Island Library branch.  He noted this is more a “book store” than a Library at this point.  The Library is searching to see where it fits in the community before opening a full scale facility on Camano Island.  The Library is doing the same at Clinton.

Elizabeth Fairfax, Island County Records and Information Officer, noted there are minutes of the Commission meetings from 1913-1984 with indexes are available through her office. The County is transferring from film records to image records.  Additional hard copies of state records are located in the state’s regional depository in Bellingham.  Territorial and legislative records are available in Olympia.  The Center for Pacific Northwest Studies is located in Bellingham at Western Washington University campus.  Manuscripts, photographs, diaries, letters, etc., are housed in this repository and available to the general public.

Tina Dinzl-Pederson, Interpretive Specialist for State Parks on Camano Island, announced Cama Beach will open June 21, 2008.  She is interested in learning more about local history and information about the Island County history to share with visitors to Cama Beach.  She is in the process of archiving the artifacts from the fishing resort at Cama Beach but has some surplus objects to share with the membership.  There were 40 cabins at the beach with materials dating from the 1930s.

Rick Castellano, Director, Island County Historical Society Museum, apologized for the disorganized appearance at the Museum.  Several moves and renovations are in the process such as moving the archives to a larger area with archive shelving and humidity controlled area.  The Conference Room is being modified to accommodate a new DVD projection system acquired with funds from a grant.  Renovation of the basement will begin soon as well.

Brett Bayne, Assistant Ranger, Fort Casey, announced Fort Casey State Park has several artifacts to be archived and is ready to begin this process.  While funding for Past Perfect is not available at this time, he is interested in beginning to catalog, organize and arrange the collection is some sort of historical order.  It was suggested to start with three ring binders adding the collection to Past Perfect later.

Lynda Richards, Ebey’s Landing Reserve Trust Board announced she is preparing for the 30^th anniversary of the Reserve.  There is a large photograph collection that needs attention as well.  Elizabeth Fairfax suggested contacting Western Washington University as their museum program has a number of interns seeking projects for graduation.

Ron Hancock, PBY Memorial Foundation, indicated the PBY Museum is in the process of moving from its location on Pioneer Avenue to Building #12 on the Seaplane Base.  With the help of the new Commanding Officer, the Foundation was able to secure the building and approximately $100,000 to help renovate the first floor.

Ruth Hancock, Whidbey Island Genealogical Searchers (WHIGS), noted the purpose of the group is to assist families in researching their family histories.  A listing of their programs for the next year was listed in the minutes of the last meeting of the Network 

Bob and Joan Pickerell, Admirals Cove Community History Committee, are in the process of writing a history of Admirals Cove.

Anita Burdette-Dragoo, author and historian, has finished a book on teaching in military schools overseas.  She is currently looking for a publisher.  She is interested in writing on other people, places, and events related to the history of Whidbey Island.

Roger Sherman, Sunnyside Cemetery, is presenting a lecture on Maritime history of Whidbey Island at Trinity Lutheran Church. He noted Sunnyside Cemetery finished a $24,000 stabilization project of the blockhouse located on the Cemetery grounds.  He will be doing two walking tours of the Cemetery this year, one on Memorial Day and one on Labor Day.

Joe Walck, webmaster, is a volunteer at the Museum and Lions Club.  He creates the web page for the Museum and adds the Network information to the site.  He indicated any 501 © 3 organizations could apply for a website from Whidbey General Telephone for free.  He will add the minutes of the Network organization to the website.

There being no further business or announcements, the meeting adjourned at 11:05 a.m.

Program Presentation:

Rob Harbour discussed the format for an oral history interview.  He noted the Ebey’s Landing Reserve has over 65 oral histories from individuals in the community describing early life on the island.  His program included discussion of what is and who cares about oral histories; what types of products are used to record and transcribe an oral history; problems of oral narratives; techniques of oral history; and the possibility of a community oral history program.  He noted Theresa Trabon was instrumental in acquiring most of the oral histories of the Reserve.

There being no further business the meeting adjourned at noon.

Respectfully submitted,

Gabrielle Thurman, Recording Secretary