MINUTES OF THE BARNES AREA HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION MEETING

OF OCTOBER 20, 2005

Members present: George Martin, Quentin Ruprecht, Jan Waddell, Bob Oberstar, Linda Oberstar, Nori Newago, Lu Peet, Judi Scholz, Dave Pease, Carol Pease and Judy Neider.

The meeting was called to order by Judi Scholz at 9:00AM.

Minutes of the September 15^th meeting were distributed and read by Judy Neider. A correction was made on the additional number of books that have been printed. To clarify, of the 200 additional copies, 140 were actual additional and 60 were reprints of the first printing which had been flawed. Also the cost of each book is $11.56 (was originally stated as $11.66).

A motion was made by Quentin that the corrected minutes be accepted. This was seconded by Dave Pease and the motion passed.

Dave Pease suggested that a Centennial book be donated to the Bayfield County Historical Society in addition to those presented to area libraries. It was further suggested that Drummond School receive one as well as the Drummond Library.

Treasurer Mike Bowes was absent and there was no treasurer’s report.

INVESTMENT OF FUNDS (CD)

Discussion continued from the last meeting concerning the investment in a CD in the amount of $10,000.00 in the State Bank of Drummond for a period of 12 months.

Quentin made a motion to acquire this CD in the amount of $10,000.00 in the State Bank of Drummond for a period of 12 months.

The Annual Report of BAHA was distributed to the group. Judy Neider had prepared the report and asked that members look this over and make suggestions as to changes and / or additions.

Nori is submitting this report to the Bayfield County Historical Society along with BAHA membership dues. As Nori stated at the last meeting, once we have our own 501 ( c) (3) designation, it is no longer necessary to be part of BCHS, although we do maintain our status with the Wisconsin Historical Society.

Dave Pease presented rationale for our continued membership in BCHS even after we have established our 501 ( c) (3).

Nori is working on this tax designation and it will be complete in a couple of months.

BY-LAWS

Nori Newago made copies of the revised By-Laws available and there was lengthy discussion. Questions were raised over the term of service of elected officials and other issues such as the Directors of the Board and the staggering of positions to assure continuity. There was so much confusion, that Nori will present (again) another revised edition of our By-Laws at the November meeting.

A motion was made by Quentin and seconded by Dave Pease that we approve the revisions made today. Members voted unanimously to accept this.

The policy for dues will be discussed at the next meeting.

CENTENNIAL BOOK SALES

Linda Oberstar reported that over 440 books have been sold. Sales have totaled $11,222.00 and donations $9,835.00. After expenses there should be $9,000.00 profit. The 200 copies (140 plus 60 reprints) have been printed and are now available. Linda will pick these up after the meeting. There are still some books to be distributed and the remainder will be stored at the Town Hall.

MUSEUM

It was noted that the long range goal of BAHA should be to work on the museum project. A motion was made by Dave Pease and seconded by Jan Waddell that the next major goal will be to pursue the building of a museum. The vote was unanimous.

SILVER BEACH ELK

Quentin Ruprecht presented a comprehensive report on the Silver Beach Elk. Everything associated with the discovery and further investigation of the elk, estimated at between 9,000 and 11,000 years old, has been recorded chronologically. Quentin has been very thorough in maintaining the records of this major scientific event. He distributed two documents to the group: The first one, “Silver Beach Elk” Statistic chronicles everything that has happened since the discovery of the elk (July 12, 2005 to October 20, 2005) and includes scientific research data pending.

These documents are attached to the minutes.

A motion was made by Bob Oberstar that BAHA accept Quentin’s report of the “Silver Beach Elk” and use this in planning for the eventual display of the elk in the BAHA museum. This was seconded by Carol Pease and the motion passed unanimously.

The elk presentation generated much discussion of how we should proceed with the museum’s plans. It was generally agreed that the “elk committee” to be established should interact closely with the “museum committee”.

COMMITTEES

Committees were initially formed as follows: The first one, the Silver Beach Elk Committee consists of a group that will proceed with Quentin’s parameters in mind. Those desiring to be on this committee thus far are: Lu Peet, George Martin, Quentin Ruprecht and Helen Ruprecht.

Nori suggested that we need a land acquisition committee to determine the museum site and another committee for the building. Presently, the museum site and building will work as one. Those volunteering to be on this are: Nori Newago, Mike Bowes (site); Jan Waddell (site), George Martin (site), Bob Oberstar (site) and Judi Scholz (building). There is much to be considered by this group. It was suggested that a 10 acre site is most desirable and that all guidelines found in 36 CFR Part 79, Curation of Federally owned and Administered Archeological Collections, etc. be adhered to.

These committees welcome other BAHA members who wish to participate.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The slate of officers for 2006 consisted of the following:

President………………..Judi Scholz

Vice President…….…….Dave Pease

Secretary…………..........Lu Peet

Treasurer………………..Linda Oberstar

A brief discussion revealed that no one else was interested in becoming an officer.

A motion was made by Nori that nominations be closed and a unanimous ballot be cast for this slate of Officers. Carol Pease seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

The Board of Directors candidates and number of years serving consisted of the following:

Quentin Ruprecht……….Three (3) years

George Martin…………..Three (3) years

Mike Bowes……………..Two (2) years

Judy Neider……………...Two (2) years

Claudia Draganowski……One (1) year

A motion was made by Dave Pease that nominations be closed and a unanimous ballot be cast for this slate of Directors. Jan Waddell seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

The next meeting will be November 17, 2005 at 9:00AM at Downtown Barnes.

The meeting adjourned at 11:50AM.

Respectfully submitted,

Judy Neider (former) secretary

October 22, 2005

Attachments to the Minutes of October 20, 2005

ATTACHMENT I

Information for Our Elk Curation Team

Compiled October 19, 2005

By Quentin Ruprecht

For (BAHA) to become a curator of the “Silver Beach Elk” and have it displayed for public viewing at the new BAHA museum, standards must be satisfied. I have listed below, some of the conditions and ideas that I feel is necessary to make this a reality. I think that this is a “big deal” and therefore, it has lots of possibilities to help preserve the History of the Barnes Area and build our museum for everyone. For this to be a reality, I hope the required upcoming work will be a total commitment and involvement by all BAHA members.

► Our team consists of all BAHA members, Dr. Jean Hudson, Helen and I.

► When releasing data and information about the “Elk Find”, one should consider the following:

· The information should be accurate, consistent and up-to-date.

· One spokes-person or team should be responsible for the releases and proofing of written materials.

· A good idea is to have a page of statistics to hand out.

· Releases pictures should include people, not just the bones. This indicates member involvement.

· When referring to the effort of bringing the “Elk” to the BAHA Museum, use words and statements like:

o “we are attempting to bring the elk to BAHA for public viewing”

o “we hope to get the elk for our museum”

o “it is our goal to bring the elk to the museum”

o “it is our hope to have the elk displayed at our museum”

o “we are working toward ”

o Etc.

· We should not use words like:

o ‘the elk will be coming back to”

o “we are going to get the elk in the museum”

o Etc.

► Will need someone to write grants and head up a committee and work with the building committee.

► Places that we might receive monies:

· Private donations

o BAHA members

o Barnes area residents

o Any person

o Etc.

· Company donations

o Johnson Wax

o Budweiser

o Etc.

· Grants

o Wisconsin Department of Tourism

o Archeology Societies-National, State

o Historical Societies-National, State

o National Geographic Organization

o Elk Foundation??

o Etc.

Our Museum Building

For us to be the curator of the Elk display, the building, records and personnel must meet the guidelines found in 36 CFR 79, Curation of Federally-owned and Administered Archeological Collections or by special arrangement with the Wisconsin Historical Society. Basically stated, the building, display and records must be secured in a manner that will:

· Protect the items from fire, theft, deterioration, etc.

· The display must be kept clean, atmosphere controlled, preserved from UV light, etc.

· Notes and papers must be kept up-to-date, secure and with copies in more than one place.

· Must have a museum director that meets standards. This might take a little effort, but Dr. Hudson may be able to help with this condition by supplying graduate students to help. Will have to work through this item.

· Have procedures recorded for emergencies responses.

· The idea of having an environmentally controlled glassed enclosure seems to solve a lot of the conditions. Maybe we could get a Company to sponsor the display.

· The display could be developed by Grad Students at the University.

ATTACHMENT II

“Silver Beach Elk” Statistics

First Printing Compiled October 18, 2005

Second Printing October 20, 2005 (Supersedes the October 18 printing).

By Quentin Ruprecht

What We Know:

On July 12, 2005: A young man vacationing in the Eau Claire Lakes Area was swimming in Middle Eau Claire Lake. He accidentally discovered what he thought was a couple of pieces of driftwood. The driftwood turned out to be a very large pair of antlers from an elk.

On July 14, 2005: A fluted point (spearhead) was discovered at the elk site.

On July 15, 2005: Matt McKay of the Hayward DNR, who is assigned to the maintenance of the Clam Lake Elk Herd, viewed and verified that the bones were that of a very large elk.

On August 20, 2005: Dr. Jean Hudson, from the Anthropology Department of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee viewed the bones, antlers and dive-site. She is an archaeologist who specialized in the study of animal bones and she was impressed by the number and condition of the bones. Dr. Hudson agreed to research the bones at the University and work the elk dive-site, with the understanding that everything possible would be done to have the elk eventually put on display for public viewing in the Barnes area, with over site by the Barnes Area Historical Association.

On September 20, 2005: Dr; Hudson applied for a Wisconsin Public Lands Field Archaeological Permit which is issued by the Office of the State Archaeologist, part of the Wisconsin Division of Historic Preservation. The archaeological site was given the name “Silver Beach Elk”.

On October 4, 2005: Since the elk was found at the bottom of a lake, the Wisconsin DNR Regional Director at the Spooner Station, John Gozdzialske, signed the permit as the legal land owner.

On October 6, 2005: Dr. Hudson received a signed copy of the permit from the Wisconsin State Archaeologist, John Broihahn. Thus, the site is now recognized as the “Silver Beach Elk”. The permit allows Dr. Hudson and the University to study the site for one year.

On October 9, 2005: Dr. Hudson inventoried and transported the recovered bones back to the Zoo Archaeology Lab at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Scientific research is being conducted on the elk bones at this time.

On October 20, 2005: The Barnes Area Historical Association passed a motion, by unanimous vote, that makes the “Silver Beach Elk” project a priority for the BAHA museum.

On October 20, 2005: The Barnes Area Historical Association developed a committee to oversee the “Silver Beach Elk” Project.

To Be Continued…………

What Might Be (Scientific research data pending)

The elk is presently estimated at between 9,000 and 11,000 years old, based on its association with the fluted point. This would put it in the early Holocene Era. Because of the very large massive antlers and bones, Matt McKay from the DRN estimated it to have a live weight of 1,000 to 1,100 lbs. This is larger that the modern bull elk that have a live weight of about 800 to 900 lbs. He indicated that the prehistoric elk were larger.

The possibility of carbon-dating the bones to determine a more direct measure of their age, is being explored at this time. DNA testing and study is being explored.

Dr. Hudson is filing a site record form with the Office of the State Archaeologist to obtain an official site number and register the site with the Division of Historic Preservation.

The spearhead, because of the fluted design (probably a Clovis or Gainey Point), is estimated between 9,000 and 11,000 years old. This find might be one of the oldest known in our Northern Wisconsin area. It also appears to be the first of its kind discovered in Bayfield County.

Because the elk bones were preserved under water, a special treatment will be necessary to stabilize the bones in a dry environment.

To Be Continued………..

ATTACHMENT III

Requirements Necessary to Provide Curation of

Archaeological Artifacts

By Wisconsin Law Chapter 44, Subchapter II, Section 44.47

I’ll try to paste the permit info below. It is also available on the web site of the Wisconsin Historical Society. Here goes:

Under Wisconsin law (Chapter 44, Subchapter II, Section 44.47), all qualified archaeologists conducting archaeological investigations on publicly owned land must complete a “Public Lands Field Archaeological Permit”. Archaeology includes, but is not limited to, all types of Phase I, Phase II and Phase III field investigations. Public Land refers to all publicly owned land and includes land owned by the state, county, cvil town, or municipality.

This permit does not cover the removal of human remains under s.157.70 Wis. Stats.

Two sections of the permit are critical and need to be completed before the form is sent to The Wisconsin Historical Society (WHS). These are:

The location where the artifacts are going to be curated must be specified before the permit can be signed by WHS staff.

The property owner, or his or her designated manager, must sign the form before submitting it to WHS.

The following conditions are appended to all projects:

1. Two copies of the final report must be submitted to the Division of Historic Preservation.

2. All artifacts and notes must be curated in accordance with guidelines found in 36 CFR Part 79, Curation of Federally-owned and Administered Archaeological Collections or by special arrangement with the Wisconsin Historical Society.

AND STILL MORE…(I’m pasting the part of the law that discusses the standards they require for the curation facility.)

S 79.9 Standards to determine when a repository possesses the capability to provide adequate long-term curatorial services.

The Federal Agency Official shall determine that a repository has the capability to provide adequate long-term curatorial services when the repository is able to:

(a) Accession, label, catalog, store, maintain, inventory and conserve the particular collection on a long-term basis using professional museum archival practices; and

(b) Comply with the following, as appropriate to the nature and consent of the collection;

(1) Maintain complete and accurate records of the collection, including:

(i) Records on acquisitions;

(ii) Catalog and artifact inventory lists;

(iii) Descriptive information, including field notes, site forms and reports;

(iv) Photographs, negatives and slides;

(v) Location information, including maps;

(vi) Information on the condition of the collection, including any completed conservation treatments;

(vii) Approved loans and other uses;

(viii) Inventory and inspection records, including any environmental monitoring records;

(ix) Records on lost, deteriorated, damaged or destroyed Government property; and

(x) Records on any deaccessions and subsequent transfers, repatriations or discards, as approved by

the Federal Agency Official;

(2) Dedicate the requisite facilities, equipment and space in the physical plant to properly store, study and

conserve the collection. Space used for storage, study, conservation and, if exhibited, any exhibition

must not be used for non-curatorial purposes that would endanger or damage the collection;

(3) Keep the collection under physically secure conditions within storage, laboratory, study and any

exhibition areas by:

(i) Having the physical plant meet local electrical, fire, building, health and safety codes;

(ii) Having an appropriate and operating fire detection and suppression system;

(iii) Having an appropriate and operational intrusion detection and deterrent system;

(iv) Having an adequate emergency management plan that establishes procedures for responding

to fires, floods, natural disasters, civil unrest, acts of violence, structural failures of

mechanical systems within the physical plant;

(v) Provide fragile or valuable items in a collection with additional security such as locking the

items in a safe, vault or museum specimen cabinet, as appropriate;

(vi) Limiting and controlling access to keys, the collection and the physical plant; and

(vii) Inspecting the physical plant in accordance with s 79.11 of this part for possible security

weaknesses and environmental control problems, and taking necessary actions to maintain

the integrity of the collection;

(4) Require staff and any consultants who are responsible for managing and preserving the collection to

be qualified museum professionals;

(5) Handle, store, clean, conserve and, if exhibited, exhibit the collection in a manner that:

(i) Is appropriate to the nature of the material remains and associated records;

(ii) Protects them from breakage, and possible deterioration from adverse temperature and

relative humidity, visible light, ultraviolet radiation, dust, soot, gases, molds, fungus,

insects, rodents and general neglect; and

(iii) Preserves data that may be studied in future laboratory analyses. When material remains in

a collection are to be treated with chemical solutions or preservatives that will permanently

alter the remains, when possible; retain untreated representative samples of each affected

artifact type, environmental specimen or other category of material remains to be treated.

Untreated samples should not be stabilized or conserved beyond dry brushing (6) Store site forms, field notes, artifact inventory lists, computer disks and tapes, catalog forms and a

copy of the final report in a manner that will protect them from theft and fire such as:

(i) Storing the records in an appropriate insulated, fire resistant, locking cabinet, safe, vault or

other container, or in a location with a fire suppression system.

(ii) Storing a duplicate set of records in a separate location; or

(iii) Ensuring that records are maintained and accessible through another party. For example,

copies of final reports and site forms frequently are maintained by the State Historic

Preservation Officer, the State Archaeologist or the State museum or university. The Tribal

Historic Preservation Officer and Indian tribal museum ordinarily maintain records on

collections recovered from sites located on Indian lands, The National Technical

Information Services and the Defense Technical Information Service maintain copies of

final reports that have been deposited by Federal agencies. The National Archaeological

Database maintains summary information on archaeological reports and projects, including

information on the location of those reports.

(7) Inspect the collection in accordance with s 79.11 of this part for possible deterioration and damage,

and perform only those actions as are absolutely necessary to stabilize the collection and rid it if any

agents of deterioration;

(8) Conduct inventories in accordance with s 79.11 of this part to verify the location of the material

remains, associated records and any other Federal personal property that is furnished to the

repository; and

(9) Provide access to the collection in accordance with s 79.10 of this part.

Now THAT’S a lot of verbiage for a Sunday morning.

best,

Jean

Jean Hudson

Assistant Professor