2009-Annual Town Report - Laserfiche WebLink

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Report of the Historical Commission To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and the Citizens of the Town of Mashpee: The mission of the Mashpee Historical Commission (MHC) is to preserve and maintain the history of Mashpee and identify, evaluate, and protect its cultural heritage,historic records and properties. 2009 was a relatively quiet year. We have been unable to fill two vacancies although we continue our efforts. Our goals seek to improve access to documents, books, maps, and collections on Mashpee's unique history. The MHC fulfilled a wide variety of requests for assistance or information from numerous visitors, reporters, and researchers during the year. Commissioners helped visitors find genealogical information, family photos, and other documents. Senior Clerk Ann Graham maintains our database and transfers our VHS video tapes to DVDs in an effort to keep up with the technology. Rosemary Burns, Frank Lord and Ann Graham continued work on scanning photographs and developing Power Point presentations on Mashpee history. The MHC hopes to do more presentations in 2010. Historian Rosemary Burns provided research and text for a series of history handouts designed by Chairperson Lee Gurney; more are planned. During the year, MHC continued to work closely with the nonprofit "Friends of the Schoolhouse" [Mashpee One-Room Schoolhouse Preservation Council or MOSPC]. MHC Commissioner Frank Lord continues to serve as MOSPC President and oversees maintenance and tours planned for children and adults. The 2007 Community Preservation Act (CPA) grant had a delayed start but is now nearly complete. Professional archeologists are reviewing and relating known archeological data and probable locations of archeological resources for a reconnaissance-level archeological survey of the entire town of Mashpee. Identifying significant themes of historical development from the earliest known Native American settlement to 1900 AD will help both the MHC and Mashpee's Planning Department to develop effective protection of significant archeological resources. We are grateful to the Board of Selectmen, Town Manager Joyce Mason, and Town Planner Tom Fudala for their interest and support. i We also thank the people of Mashpee who encourage us in our work, donate materials to the Archives, volunteer, and help us preserve Mashpee's history and culture. We always welcome your visits and comments. Respectfully submitted, Lee Gurney, Chairperson Rosemary Burns,Historian Frank J. Lord Gordon Peters Ann Graham,Senior Clerk 128