1. Call to order by Jean Hanson, Asst. Chairperson

a. Introduction of individuals present:

Jerry Neath, Jennifer Ehle, Myron Bacon, Clarence A. Runey, Eileen Runey Fix, Chester Runey, Harriet Runey Persons, Phil Peterson, Jean Hanson and Mark Hanson

2. Approval of Minutes from March 13, 2003 Meeting

The minutes were approved after a couple of changes were proposed.

It was suggested that we send post cards and emails reminding committee members of our meetings. Mark said that he would send notices of future meetings as proposed.

3. Announcements:

a.  First Donation to this church restoration project

Some 18 years ago Orin Otteson and several others started a Centennial Committee to raise money for a Rutland historical project.  Following a pig roast and other activities, they deposited $1800 in the Brooklyn Bank.  Dawn George estimates that the account is now worth between $4000 and $5000.  Orin said that the committee would like to donate the entire amount to the Rutland Center Church project.

Jean will call Orin to get more information , including the names of people on the centennial committee.

b.  Communications from other interested people:

1)  Mrs. Randy Hillenbrand called to say she and her husband had bought the lot adjacent to the cemetery.  She said they will be building a 3 bedroom home.  (Randy called Jean on April 26 to say that they may change their mind and would be willing to sell the property.)

2)  Email from Carol Jensen indicating that a website with names of people in the Rutland Center Cemetery is available.  Jennifer also has two copies of a list of who is in the cemetery.  See "Cemetery and Genealogy" section later in these minutes.

3)  John Murphy has communicated with Jennifer Ehle.  Mr. Murphy has relatives buried on the grounds.

4)  Jennifer displayed a copy of the Hauge Church Newsletter .  A group of people have created a membership organization that's trying to save their old church near Blue Mounds.  So far they have raised more than $70,000. A copy of this newsletter will be added to our file at the Oregon Historical Society.

5) Florice Paulson called regarding the church.  She knows some of the history.  Jean will be calling her back for the details .

c. New projects

Jennifer Ehle suggested we have an ice cream social on the church grounds and ask for a donation.  We could promote the event in a number of local papers, which would keep the project in the minds of local people.  Eileen Fix volunteered to help with the social.

4. Committee Reports

a. History: Jerry Neath

1) Layout drawing of old town

Sharon George provided a copy of the drawing from a 1873 plat that had been included in an old newspaper article. Jerry and Phil Peterson couldn't independently find the drawing but they did find a plat map.  A copy of the drawing will be prepared for this website.

2) Historical Information Storage :

Motion was made to house the records pertaining to the Rutland Center Church at the Oregon Historical Society. Moved by Myron, seconded by Jennifer. Passed unanimously.

3) Historical Timeline:

Jerry presented a working draft of a History of the United Brethren Church of Rutland which he has developed from a variety of resources. A copy of his document will be made available on the website as soon as he updates it with some newly received information. Jerry pointed out that his timeline is a work in progress and will be updated frequently as new material becomes available.

4) Wisconsin Historical Society

Phil Peterson found no specific information about the Rutland Center Church at the Historical Society, but in the society library he did find a book with some history from 1906. He provided a copy of the relevant pages which Jean will place in our file at the Oregon Historical Society shortly. Portions may be placed on the website as well.

5) History of United Brethren from 1840-1969

Phil provided a three-page copy of material from the Wisconsin Conference. This material will also be placed in the Oregon Historical Society Collection, and a copy will be added to the website.  Jerry has copies of material Sharon George has been collecting.

6) Construction Date for the Rutland Center Church

Jerry reported that he has concluded the 1847 date is not correct. The land was acquired in 1852, the building was built then and dedicated in 1853. It hosted conference in 1858.

b. Cemetery and Genealogy: Jennifer Ehle

1) Press Release

A release was written re the March 13th meeting. It was sent to the Evansville Review, Madison newspapers, Stoughton Courier Hub, Oregon Observer, Brooklyn Village newsletter. To date, it has been published in five papers including the Evansville, Stoughton, Madison (Wisconsin State Journal) and Oregon. The release was also in the April 2003 newsletter published by the Wisconsin State Genealogical Society. An article will also appear in the spring newsletter to be published by South Central WSGS & Rock County Genealogical Society.

2) Eager Family

Jennifer has found seven family graves at the Rutland Cemetery: William Eager, George W. Seymour, Cynthia A. Eager, Seymour Blain, Charles Henry Eager, Emma J. Munger Eager Huie, Charles Sumner Eager and Carrie Eager.

3) History of Rutland name

Jennifer has obtained a copy of a page from Place-Names of Dane County, Wisconsin, no. 7, by Frederic G. Cassidy, pp. 206-207. Information re Rutland, village, Rutland Branch, Rutland Center, Rutland Center School, Rutland Corners, Rutland P.O. is included. This material will be added to our collection at the Oregon Historical Society.

4) Names of Individuals Buried in Rutland Center Cemetery

Jennifer has obtained two documents that allegedly identify individuals interred in the Rutland Cemetery:

Rutland Center Cemetery, WSGS Newsletter, Vol. 40, No. 4, April 1994 pp. 141-142, compiled by Marilyn Barry & Betty Patterson. Contd: WSGS Newsletter , Vol. 41 No. 1, June 1994, p. 143.

"Rutland Center Cemetery, Dane County, Wisconsin," compiled by Bernie Farmer.

The committee agreed that we would publish on the website a list of individuals who are buried in the cemetery. Additional details about each family will be retained for future publication in a booklet or in some other way that might raise funds for the restoration project.

5) Communication with Ruth Ann Montgomery

Jennifer has corresponded with Ruth Ann Montgomery, former Director of the Eager Free Public Library in Evansville and currently Director of the Arrowhead Library System. She sent her a copy of the press release so she is aware of our activities. Ruth will watch and save newspaper articles that she finds re Rutland. She has posted several newspaper articles re the citizens of Rutland on rootsweb.com. Jennifer has reviewed that section and made copies of obits/death notices of Rutland citizens. This information will be added to our file at the Oregon Historical Society.

6) Current Director Eager Library in Evansville

Jennifer has also corresponded with Bridget Rolek, current Director of the Eager Free Public Library. She reported that the Library does not collect anything for Dane County. Occasionally they receive request for information, which they refer to the Oregon Library. She has a copy of our press release so she is aware of our activities.

7) Adding land to the cemetery

Myron stated that Hazel Antony's daughter might now own the land and she might be willing to sell or donate land to the Town. Myron will call her and investigate.

8) Contributions to the project

The committee members observed some people may wish to contribute funds for some specific purpose (e.g. fixing the roof or publishing a book) while others will want to make a general contribution to be used where needed. We agreed that personal preferences should be respected.

c.  Church Restoration: Cindy Bacon

1) Repair Estimates

Cindy was unable to attend this meeting but we did discuss hiring engineers and tradespeople who could describe what repairs the church will require. Phil Harms, a local builder, told Jean and Myron that he will look at the building. Wallace, who does concrete work, has volunteered also. Myron is an engineer and we think qualified to fulfill requirements of National Historic Registry.

d.  Grants and Finance: Myron Bacon

1) Contributions to church deductible?

Myron will pursue the whole question of how and with whom our funds will be deposited and later spent. We have agreed we want to avoid incorporating as a 501c3 non profit organization if possible. We believe that all funds can be received and dispersed by the Rutland Town Board, but we need to be sure that contributions can be claimed on tax returns.

2) Personalized contributions:

Some people may want to contribute money for specific projects like roof repair or publication of a genealogical summary.  Others may want to give to the general fund. We may have to set up a separate quasi-corporate board that would make the money eligible.

e.  Public Information: Mark Hanson

1) Articles published in local papers

See information in the Cemetery and Genealogical section of these minutes above about Jennifer's article which was published in a number of local papers.

2) State Historic Preservation Week May 13-17

Apparently no one registered our project with the Preservation Week committee and so we will not be a part of their activity this year.

3) Meeting for People with interest in the cemetery :

Jennifer proposed and will help organize a meeting of people who have an interest in who is buried in the cemetery. Some older folks might want to just send something because they couldn't attend a meeting. The committee agreed that such a meeting should be held, perhaps at the Oregon Historical Society, at a local park or even on the grounds, if parking could be arranged.

4) Sign advertising our website

Mark suggested that we should have a sign painted on a vinyl strip that could be hung temporarily on the church advertising the address of our website. The committee asked Mark to determine the cost of such a sign and then approach the Town for funds for its purchase.

f. Legal: Chuck Anthony

1) Contact the Town Rutland attorney

Myron agreed to contact the Rutland attorney so that he can be consulted for future legal questions.

2) Liability Question

Myron agreed to discuss the liability issue with members of the Town board and perhaps the Town attorney.

5. New Business

a.  Develop a Mission Statement for the Committee: Jennifer Ehle

It was suggested we need to obtain more information and that we need to "get settled" into our project before we try to do this. We were reminded, however, that a mission statement will likely be needed when we begin applying for grants to fund the project.

6. Next Meeting: May 9 at 3:30-5:00 p.m. at Oregon Historical Society building.

7. Adjournment at 5:07 p.m.

Prepared by:
Mark Hanson
April 28, 2003

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