2015: A year of progress
The Kent Historical Society held its annual meeting Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015 and it included a look back over the previous year and a look ahead.
President Lynn Mellis Worthington presented a brief synopsis of many of the accomplishments of the Kent Historical Society over the past year. It should be noted that the fiscal year begins Oct. 1 and ends Sept. 30. Here is a detailed list. She also noted that the Society has experienced a great increase in memberships – with 285 total. We had 230 renewals and that represents an 85% renewal rate, which is fantastic.
A slate of officers was presented to the membership and elected: Michael Everett as President, Lynn Worthington as Vice President and Bruce Whipple as Treasurer, and Melissa Cherniske as Secretary.
Mike thanked our outgoing officers, Vice President Beth Dooley, Treasurer Richard Lindsey and Secretary Charlotte Lindsey. He presented each of them with a token of thanks to honor their years of service and commitment to the Society and the Board of Trustees. He also took time to thank the trustees who are stepping off the board. The Lindseys have decided to retire from being board members, as have Jennie Rehnberg and Patti Case.
Five trustees were re-elected for two-year terms: Roger Gonzales, Tim Good, Nancy Schaefer, Bruce Whipple and Lynn Worthington.
Mike also spoke of some of the upcoming projects that members and residents will be seeing in the upcoming year. A re-clapboarding project is currently underway at the Seven Hearths Museum and the Society was fortunate to receive a $15,000 grant from the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation and the 1772 Foundation, but additional funds need to be secured for this large-scale project. He also noted that George Laurence Nelson’s art work was removed from the museum while the construction work is underway and is in temporary storage. A plan is underway to obtain grant funding and create a permanent storage area in Tallman, which houses the Society’s office, archives and collections storage.
Also at the meeting Marge Smith introduced the new Kent Quilters Group project a signature quilt that they are offering as a fundraiser for the Kent Historical Society.