Minutes of the 2003 Annual Meeting of the Methodist Cemetery Association
6 Apr 2003
Opening remarks: President Audrey Schwartz opened the meeting by expressing concern with the limited time available to conduct a significant amount of business. She thanked the Tenleytown Historical Society for sharing copies of the cemetery card file and the 1944 cemetery plot lay-out maps (in four sections) which she had copied, laminated and available for viewing before and after the meeting.
Introductions: Those present and their families in the cemetery
Audrey Schwartz: Descendant of King, Bates; related to Beach, Duvall, Morgan
Susan Scofield: Descendant of Eld, Shoemaker; related to Ernest, Beach
Nancy Werner (Susan’s mother): Descendant of Eld, Shoemaker; related to Ernest, Beach
Robert Paul Bates (Audrey’s brother): Descendant of King, Bates; related to Beach, Duvall, Morgan
Margaret Amundson (Audrey’s sister): Descendant of King, Bates; related to Beach, Duvall, Kidwell
Dorothy Ford: Descendant of Duvall, Burrows, Pfender, Perry, Queen; indirectly related to Federline
Richard Miller: Descendant of Eld, Beach
Donna Griffin: Descendant of Federline; related to Brooke, Houser, Riley
Helen Federline Lidie (Donna’s mother): Descendant of Federline; related to Brooke, Houser, Riley
Diane Tamayo: Descendant of (Mrs.) Chappell, Walther, Huddleson, related to Shoemakers, etc.
Robert Arthur Bates (Audrey’s nephew): Descendant of King, Bates; related to Beach, Duvall, Morgan
Late Arrivals:
Aurelia Clementson: Wife of Clementson descendant
Jean Pablo: Queen
Deborah Jaquiss (Diane’s sister): Descendant of (Mrs.) Chappell, Walther, Huddleson, related to Shoemakers, etc.
Minutes from last meeting: Diane Tamayo read the minutes of the last meeting for Jacque-Lynn Schulman (Recording Secretary) who couldn’t be with us. (See attached)
Treasurer’s report: Robert Arthur Bates read the Financial Report. (See attached)
Bylaws: Susan Scofield introduced the newly written bylaws, which were approved with no changes. (See attached)
Logo: The newly designed logo was presented and approved.
Membership Card: The newly designed membership card was discussed and approved.
Bench: A proposal concerning a new bench to be added (replacing old benches that used to exist at one time in the cemetery) was thought to be an issue, but is not being proposed at this time.
Grant: Amy McVey, chairwoman of the ANC, had stopped by before the meeting to mention the opportunity for the association to apply for a $1,000 grant.
Retaining wall: Robert Paul Bates brought up a concern with the cemetery’s retaining wall on 42nd Street. It is broken. The Board will need to find out from the City (who we think erected it originally) if they plan to maintain it.
Trees: The trees in the cemetery need to be checked by a certified arborist. Some will need extensive pruning. There are several huge trees that need work. One is in very bad condition and may have to come down. We need recommendations for the work that needs to be done, and an assessment of any hazard the trees present. Deborah Jaquiss volunteered to help Audrey Schwartz get estimates for the tree work.
National Historic Register: The Association plans to apply for the cemetery to be placed on the historic register; first on the DC Historic Register, and then on the National Register. The objective would be to have this completed before October 2005 when the cemetery celebrates its 150th anniversary. It was agreed that Margaret Amundson head up a committee to work on this effort, and Nancy Werner will assist.
Information Update: Jean Pablo was asked about the progress being made on the Historic Preservation in Tenleytown, and whether she would be willing to share information so we don’t duplicate efforts. Jean explained that the current effort is exploring the relationship of the people and where they lived. They are looking at the original permits for the homes: lot and square number, name of owner, architect and builder. They are checking these names in the DC Directories and the 1930 Census. They are looking into some history on St. Anne’s, Eldbrooke, etc. The results of all this will be a matter of public record. Jean was also questioned as to the grant the Society had received for the cemetery last year. She indicated they had received $1,000 for documenting the cemetery. She doesn’t know exactly what will be done with the funds. Some money has already been spent on reproducing documents, etc.
Information Wanted: Judith Beck Helm (author of Tenleytown, D.C.) has been a source of some information about the cemetery. Wesley Pippenger has offered the death records of D.C. for those interred in the Methodist Cemetery. Margaret Amundson reminded us that although Death Certificate were required by law in 1855, the returns were sporadic for Washington County, and in 1885 the form became much more complete. The Cemetery Association would like to pursue obtaining funeral home records as well. Point of contact for this type of information will be Margaret.
Near-by Construction: Robert Paul Bates expressed concern with the construction at the neighboring Sears/Hechinger building blocking the road. The passageway between the cemetery and the building is not an alley, but, rather, part of Murdock Mill Road.
Damage to Cemetery Railing: One of the railings (just recently repaired) beside the steps up to the cemetery from Murdock Mill Road has been knocked over. Audrey Schwartz will call Iona House to inquire if the Iona House Bus may have been responsible.
Honorary Life-Time Members: Donald Barnes and Katharine Shoemaker were awarded Honorary Lifetime Members of the Association. This is in recognition of Donald Barnes’ many dedicated years of service maintaining the Cemetery, and in appreciation of Katharine Shoemaker’s recent monetary support and long-time family involvement with the Cemetery. This is just a small token of appreciation in recognition of their support.
Election of Board of Directors: A new Board of Directors was elected. Subsequent to the General Meeting, a short meeting of the new Board was held to elect officers. These are as follows:
Audrey Schwartz: President
Susan Scofield: Vice-President
Jacque-Lynn Schulman: Recording Secretary
Margaret Amundson: Corresponding Secretary
Robert Arthur Bates: Treasurer
Dorothy Ford: Member at Large
Diane Tamayo: Member at Large