The City of Auburn
Historic Resources Review Board
c/o Office of Planning and Economic Development
Memorial City Hall - 24 South Street
Auburn, New York 13021
(315) 255-4115 Fax 253-0282
Meeting Minutes
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1. Meeting was opened at 7:10 p.m. in the City Council Chambers of Memorial City Hall
In attendance were members: Mike Deming, Jim Hutchinson, Betty Lewis and staff member Michael Long. Guests included Dr. Judith Wellman, County Clerk Sue Dwyer, Tania Warren (researcher), Christopher Mack and daughter and a couple from Sherwood. No business was conducted, as there was not a quorum present.
2. Approval of Minutes: no action
3. Other matters.
The primary purpose of the meeting was a presentation by Dr. Wellman on the Underground Railroad study that is currently underway. HRRB submitted a grant request to the Preservation League of New York to the “Preserve New York Program” – we received a grant of $8,500 towards this project with Judy Wellman as the principal researcher.
Michael Long introduced the project to those present and gave an overview of the project. Judy has already completed a similar study for Oswego County and more recently Onondaga County. She is also involved the National Park Service research topic of the Underground Railroad and has recently completed a new book about the Women’s Rights Convention in Seneca Falls in 1848 which included Auburn’s Martha Wright and her sister Lucretia Mott as the principal organizers. Both of these women participated heavily in the Underground Railroad movement as well. This project is throughout Cayuga County and Sheila Tucker, Cayuga Co. historian has enlisted the support of many of the town and village historian to contribute additional research.
Judy began by identifying the steps taken to date. Bernie and Sue Corcoran put up an extensive inventory of the census records for several decades on the Gen web site. Tania has been completing extensive research on locating individual records in the archives of the Cayuga County. Judy’s Power Point presentation included: Morgan “Luke” Freeman who was the primary Auburn stationmaster who lived at 3 Court St and had a barbershop. Luke was the son of the original slave settlers in 1793 of Auburn Harry & Kate Freeman. Additional research is being completed on “Cumpston St. and Cumpston Lane” where he owned property.
Judy has also developed a rating formula to evaluate the significance of UGRR sites. As a site gets better documentation, the rating improves. The National Park Service has utilized this method for listing properties on the “National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom” program. The Harriet Tubman Home site is currently listed, and the William Seward House is being proposed. Judy has recently completed the forms for the Herman and Hannah Phillips House in Sherwood, Cayuga Co. Judy also showed several slides featuring the various properties of the Howland family including the Howland Stone Store. There was an extensive letter written in 1928 by Emily Howland that documented family involvement in the 1840’s.
After the final report is completed, a large community meeting will be held. We hope to invite the various participants, the Preservation League and other to attend.
4. Adjournment: Next meeting depending upon action required is scheduled for February 8, 2005 at Memorial City Hall at 7:00 P.M. – 1st floor caucus room. Invited is David Taylor to give an update on the Cultural Resource Survey that he is working on.
Motion to adjourn made by Jim, seconded by Mike, unanimous consent. Meeting adjourned.
Recorded by: Michael Long
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