AUBURN’S HISTORIC & CULTURAL SITES COMMISSION
Meeting minutes from May 5, 2004
Present: M. Vanek, J. Bryant, B. M. Lewis, J. McCormick, Sonya Warren (for A. Wood), M. Alberici, E. McHugh, S. Craner, P. Wisbey and J. Kline
Excused: S. Marteney, P. Anderegg, Rev. Carter, D. Lamb, T. Bridenbecker, P. Copes Johnson and M. Weitekamp
Absent: T. Hussey and D. Dempsey
Chair M. Alberici called the meeting to order and B. M. Lewis read the mission and vision statements for the Commission.
M. Vanek introduced Paula Knight who interned with the Office of Tourism while completing the Quality Assurance Project. This site evaluation project continued where Randall Travel Marketing left off a few years ago. A follow-up was necessary to see if recommended improvements have been made, and also so some new sites could be reviewed. P. Knight used the criterion that was developed by the Commission sub-committee, and she toured the sites as a visitor would. There are copies of her summary in the packets, and the sites that were reviewed received copies in advance. P. Knight then gave an overview of her assessments.
Other than the Willard Memorial Chapel, P. Knight said she had never visited any of the sites before. She thought the Chapel was amazing, the interior was breathtaking, in fact the brochure did not do it justice. The staff she encountered was very knowledgeable and helpful. P. Knight said, the Cayuga Museum was under construction during her visit (the second floor was not accessible). The staff was polite and pointed out the Case Research Lab in the back of the property. She wasn’t offered a tour of the Lab at that point. The floral arrangements were lovely, but she didn’t understand that they were part of the exhibit. Some entryway signage may be helpful for that. Parking was confusing, again due to construction, plus alternative side parking. The home was very beautiful.
At the Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center P. Knight said the staff was exceptional, and the exhibit was very interesting. A tour would have been helpful since P. Knight was confused by the show’s content (“Domestic Bliss: Refrigerator Art & Beyond”). The gift shop was very nice, and the toys and other items tied in well with the exhibit. P. Knight said Seward House was a “wow.” The history of this home is amazing, and her tour guide was extremely knowledgeable, and took great care to explain the history to her. He obviously takes a lot of pride in his job. The items in the home are so priceless even Sotheby’s can’t place a value on them. Seward House was easy to get to, and it exceeded her expectations. She overheard another tour guide there doing a great job as well. The
Harriet Tubman Home was also easy to get to, and parking was readily available. Unfortunately, P. Knight’s first and second visits to the Home were not pleasurable. (She thought she may get a better tour with a child, so she came again with her daughter.) Her daughter is 10 year old and is studying this time period in history. P. Knight recommended staff training at the Tubman Home, since the history is so rich it is a missed opportunity to take away from its significance. They were the only ones there during their visit.
P. Knight said Mackenzie-Childs, Ltd. was a “wow.” The grounds are so well kept and exotic, you feel like you are in another country. The restaurant is closed until 2005 for renovations, and she had missed the timing of the Farm House tour, but she went through the gift shop, which was lovely. The staff there was friendly and outgoing, they clearly loved their jobs. It was easy to get to, and it exceeded her expectations. Aurora Inn and Fargo were very well done, offering both the causal and fine dining options, which is nice for a small community.
The Rural Life Museum had ample parking for visitors, but they may need more for larger-scaled special events. The docent had attended school in this once one-room school house, and she had interesting stories to tell. The Museum was very clean. The staff at King Ferry Winery were also very friendly, the décor in the tasting room was nice, but under construction. Parking was good, and the staff made suggestions on their assortment of wines, and told her of upcoming special events. Long Point Winery tasting room had a bit of a warmer feel, very welcoming. The staff was nice and helpful, and they also told her about upcoming events. Parking was plentiful.
P. Knight said Ferry Tales is in the owner’s home. During her visit, the owner was busy making product, but she was very friendly and gave her free reign to wander around. There were a lot of pets on the premises. There was parking on the street, and it was located between King Ferry Winery and Long Point Winery. P. Knight tried to call the Little Red School House Museum in Sterling, but didn’t have any luck reaching anyone. They have no answering machine, which would be a simple fix for visitors calling in trying to assess their hours of operation. She was also unable to visit the Dirt Motorsports Hall of Fame in Weedsport. She talked to the Director, who was very pleasant, but they are closed until the first week in April. She recommended better signage for this site and maybe increasing the length of their
season.
P. Knight’s luck with CJS Vineyards was similar. Their brochure stated they were open at the time, but when she got through to staff, she was told they are closed until April 3rd. P. Knight recommended changing that information in the brochure. She also was not offered an appointment, another option that was included in the materials. With both Martin’s Honey Farm & Meadery and Giancarelli Brothers Winery, P. Knight called several times to check hours, but she got no return phone calls, and their hours should be left on the answering machine.
All in all, P. Knight said it was a good experience, yet some of it was a bit frustrating. It would be tough for visitors coming to Cayuga County during January – March. But, the county is really beautiful with its lakes and wonderful history. Auburn is especially blessed with wonderful tourism attractions that understand its economic importance. The attributes on the cover of the Travel Guide are right on the mark.
E. McHugh pointed out how positive it was that various sites were under construction during P. Knight’s visit. This means there is money being spent on upgrading the facilities, which is also important to the economy. S. Craner wondered what the experience would be during a different time of year. M. Vanek said Randall Travel Marketing had the same recommendations about the seasonal/smaller attractions.
I. Approval of the Minutes
M. Alberici asked for approval of the April minutes. J. McCormick made a motion to accept the minutes as submitted, seconded by E. McHugh. All were in favor and the motion carried.
Committee Reports
II. Planning & Development Committee
D. Lamb was excused, nothing new to report.
III. Marketing Committee
As for leads from ads, M. Vanek said during the month of April the Tourism Office responded to 144 inquiries; the top producer being the Internet. M. Vanek said the pedestrian signs have been painted, and they are being delivered to the Sign Guys for the graphics to be adhered. Once that process is finished, the Committee will flag each sign location with Jerry Del Favero, and the City will install them.
J. Kline passed around invites to TourCayuga, a tourism showcase sponsored by the Office of Tourism and the Downtown Auburn BID. There will be wine (and food) tastings, door prizes, awards and music. The Commission will be honored with an award. M. Vanek has invited the Mayor to accept the Commission’s award with M. Alberici. M. Vanek encouraged the sites to invite their front-line staff since a large majority of the County’s attractions will have displays. We need to continually work on cross promotion. M. Alberici will be staffing the Commission display. T. Hussey said the Arts Council may be interested in having a booth.
IV. Community Outreach Committee
M. Alberici hosted the booth at the Group Tour Showcase in Sodus Pt. on April 29th. This show is for group leaders. She spoke with about 75 leaders from Rochester and Buffalo area that were organized through Coach USA. M. Alberici passed out brochures and fliers about the Historic Homes Tour and Common Threads. Some of the leaders toured the Seward House and the Willard Chapel later that same day.
E. McHugh said the “Passport to History” program is being very well received this time around by teachers and families. The program ends on May 23rd, and prizes will be distributed the first week of June. Prizes include passes to the Skateboard Park and pool at Casey Park, and passes to Reva Rollerdrome. E. McHugh estimated that the first year they had about 30 students submit their passports, then the next year around 90, and this year she thought it would be around 150. The program is clearly growing.
V. Quality Assurance Committee
See P. Knight’s report above.
VI. Other Business
P. Wisbey said Volunteer Night is scheduled for June 15th, and each site needs to drop off 100 job descriptions to the Tourism Office by June 4th. Please see the Tourism Office’s description format so they can all look consistent. That night, each organization will do a presentation about what volunteer opportunities they are offering. Brenda, a Seward House volunteer, will also give a quick summary about her experiences. For volunteers, any age group would work, from high school students to retired teachers or professionals. Before that night, M. Alberici said, we will need all of the site’s materials to put folders. They are going to recruit people through R.S.V.P, and send fliers to organizations in the Human Services Directory. M. Alberici will plug the event at an upcoming retired
teacher’s dinner. Interested volunteers will apply directly to the sites after the program, and the sites are responsible for setting their own interviews, etc. The Office of Tourism will supply the wine, Cayuga Museum and the Chapel will do hors d’oeuvres, and the Seward House and Schweinfurth will provide the sweets.
J. Kline said she will give a plug for the Commission during her and Chuck Mason’s presentation to City Council on May 13th. McHugh said she would call to schedule her presentation in June re: Passport to History.
M. Alberici said the survey has been edited and the sites should use their old scantron sheets for visitor answers. (Please start this one at question #6, left side justified.) She thought the sites should start the survey at the same time. Everyone present agreed to run the survey from Memorial Day to Labor Day. M. Alberici said the Commission has been asked for a letter of support from the Schine Theater. T. Hussey asked to look into it first, then he will let J. Kline know, and she will send copies to the sites. T. Hussey said they are exploring having a quilt show with CPC at the Chamber during the Common Threads program. The Arts Council’s spring piano series went very well, with higher attendance figures than last year. The performers enjoyed their time here in the community, and look forward to returning.
S. Craner said on May 15th the BID is working with local artists to paint the flower pots downtown. Anyone can come and paint from 10AM – 3PM; the planters will be at the City DPW garage. Lunch and materials will be provided. S. Craner is hoping for some positive press coverage. P. Wisbey said that same day the Seward House is hosting an oratory contest for grades 3 – 8th. The students will be reading excerpts from Seward’s letters (2 – 3 minutes each) at Westminster Presbyterian Church from 1 – 2:30PM. E. McHugh passes around their new poster for their military exhibit opening on May 28th from 6 – 8PM. They will also be unveiling the renovations in the attic and the second floor. Their annual dinner and silent auction is May 8th at Auburn
Gold & Country Club. The reservation deadline is tomorrow.
S. Craner said she attended the Leadership Cayuga presentation at Auburn Memorial Hospital, and the BID has now taken over the reigns for the project. They have a tight timeframe, with the Bass Pro Shops opening right around the corner. They are seeking additional sponsors; the City and the BID are contributing $5,000 each. S. Craner will ask the sites about the timing of the loop. Right now, they are not including the lake into the loop. S. Warren said the Historian’s Office has a script from a similar project they had created that may work for this. S. Craner said she was very interesting in learning more about it, since they will need one.
J. Bryant made a motion to adjourn, seconded by E. McHugh. The Commission’s next meeting will held on June 23rd at 3:30PM, 3rd Floor City Hall. The Commission adjourned at 5:05PM.
Recorded by Jesse Kline
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