Preserve The Shook Smathers House Committee

Updated 5/09/2001

M I N U T E S : March 26, 2001

Preserve the Shook Smathers House Committee

Monday, March 26, 2001

On this date took place a sheduled meeting of the committee at the Town Hall in Clyde NC. Present were Robyn Putnam, Wilma Simpson, Dr. Doris Hammett, Bruce Briggs, Peggy Greene, Janice Smathers, Bob Jones and Mary Shook.

Robyn Putnam called the meeting to order.
Officers were announced:

Robyn Putnam Chairman
Brenda Hudgin's nominated for Vice Chairman
Peggy Greene Secretary

Executive Board:

Bob Jones
Dr. Doris Hammett
Bruce Briggs
Janice Smathers
Wilma Simpson
Mary Shook

Motion was made to ask Brenda if she wanted to serve and if she would rather be on the executive board instead then nominations for Vice Chairman would go to Wilma Simpson.

Discussion was had concerning controversies about the age and history of the Shook house. It was proposed by Bob Jones and unanimously decided that the first order of business was to bring about as much publicity as possible to create a debate about these points and then lay that debate to rest by seeking scientific dating of the house. Motion was made to pursue this course of action. Robyn Putnam to look into getting such a test done and Dr. Hammett and Bruce Briggs to look into funding for the test. Report to be made by next meeting, with status circulated via e-mail as information became available.

Discussion was had on the status of gifts and donations that might be made to help preserve the house. The group agreed to pursue the official sanction of the Waynesville Historical Society and to seek an arrangement by which the committee could utilize this groups existing 501 C3 status. This would make donations tax free. We would also seek an escrow account for these potential monies. Bruce Briggs reported that in discussions with the group this seemed probable. It was reported that efforts to achieve this status ourselves could take years. It was stated that the efforts of the committee could best be used elsewhere. Motion was made by Dr. Hammett to officially seek this status. Report to be made by next meeting, with status circulated via e-mail as information became available.

The group discussed and agreed to attempt to develop specific proposals as to the use of the Shook House if we preserve it. It was noted that the current owners were sensitive to the uses the house might see and Janice Smathers indicated that she had heard that Ms Jones "didn't want to see a restaurant or inn" in the house. This was one of the reasons cited that she may have "turned down" a rumored offer of $120,000 for the house and the land.

Bruce Briggs stated that the original purpose envisioned by the 1995 Shook House effort was to provide rental space for the use of some group such as the Haywood Co Chamber of Commerce on the fist floor and retail spacer such as a "gift shop" on the second. In some way the Prophet's Room would be preserved as a museum. Grants were written requesting $100,000 and resolutions passed by local and state government. However the grant was refused for "lack of funds" by the State. It was suggested by Dr. Hammett that we seek the assistance of Eric Morgan to help write grants. The committee would provide proposals for grants and look into monies that might be available at the Federal level. It was agreed that due to NC budgetary problems the state might not be in a good position to help. Bruce did suggest that publicity could help us on this count with local and state politicians.

The question was asked why the Methodists at Junaluska didn't carry out plans announced in 1995 to move the house to the Assembly. Dr. Hammett told the committee that as far as she knew, based on the negative recommendations of the Methodist History and Archives folks at Junaluska the Assembly decided not to pursue preservation. This same recommendation from that group was also responsible for the abandonment of the proposal by area Methodists at that time also. Bruce Briggs suggested we might directly approach the Methodist leadership in the area and begin working to achieve support of the Methodists for this developing effort. Dr. Hammett agreed to begin this process by contacted area ministers and Dr. Larry Wilkinson. Report to be made by next meeting, with status circulated via e-mail as information became available.

Copies have been made of the minutes of the original Shook House Committee from their efforts in 1994-1996 it was reported, and these minutes would be made available to members of the committee. The originals were returned by Wilma Simpson to Dr. Hammett with the committee's thanks.

A short discussion of the findings of Horton and Honeycutt of the NC Office of Historic Preservation and Bob Jones reported that their conclusion was "there are elements of the house which support its circa. 1795 construction date". Bob Jones was asked to make this report available on the web page.

A motion was made to attempt to transcribe the 3000 signatures on the petitions collected in 1995 from citizens of Haywood County into some electronic medium. Brenda or Wilma were suggested as transcribers. Robyn agreed to get with Dr. Hammett and bring these documents into the possession of the committee for such a purpose. After transcription it was agreed that an attempt would be made to determine the feasibility of a mailing to those signatories. A report to be made or the issue further discussed at the next meeting.

The Group discussed the current status of the house. It was reported by Wilma that it is her understanding that the normal operation of an option is on a years to year basis and that she understood that the current option to the Preservation Society would expire in August. She told us however that that wasn't much more than a guess. The group agreed that we needed to know this information so Robyn Putnam and Dr. Hammett agreed to attempt to determine the terms of the current agreement by contacting people they both knew in Raleigh. It was also determined that as much information as could be had in tax records and deeds should be collected by the group. Report to be made by next meeting, with status circulated via e-mail as information became available.

Mary Shook was invited to join the group. She brought with her several history books and has had a long time interest in preserving the structure.

Later discussions included a talk by Wilma Simpson and a farewell for now as she returns to Washington State. The time frame most convenient for future meetings was discussed. Dr Hammett proposed and the group agreed to limit meetings to one hour in the future and to start meetings at the appointed times without waiting for latecomers.

A new meeting was scheduled for May 8, 2001 at the Clyde Town Hall.

Preserve the Shook House Committee
(second part)

Monday, March 26, 2001

In reference to the 3000 signatures on the petition, Robyn Putnam suggested trying to secure e-mail addresses or using the telephone book to locate everyone possible in order to expand the database of interested parties.

Price was discussed and Dr. Hammett stated first priority would be to know how much the owners would be willing to take thus giving us a goal to work toward. Needed for the next meeting would be options for the future of the house and the price tag for each option. Options considered were proving age of house and upper room, move house, preservation of house at present location, and what it would take to put house in a stable condition. Bob Jones stated there was a dispute as to the age of the house and as we proceed with the preservation effort, those in dispute may become more vocal concerning the age of the house. He is in contact with these persons and has asked for copies of their records.

Bruce Briggs stated there were errors in old records, and all agreed. This dispute could bring us publicity. Need to look at raising $ 10,000 to date the house. Need to keep fanning the fires and keep the effort in the paper. Possible ways of finding heirs were discussed. We have Nancy Ruth Jones' address. Need address of Martha Reeves and her brother. One possible source would be the real estate agencies listing the property in the past.

Time of the next meeting on May 8, 2001 was scheduled for 3 p.m.

Respectfully submitted: Bob Jones and Peggy Green

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