Attendees
Joan Salome-Rodriguez (Facilitator), Joseph Alexiou, Katia Kelly, Andrea Parker, Peter Reich
Guests: Aaron Kaufman (Trust), Mary Hedge (Archivist), Michael Killian, Margaret Maugenest.
We summarized the meeting Peter and I had with Kim Maier at The Old Stone House and her suggestions that we come up with:
- a strategic business plan
- conduct curated exhibition planning
- explore grants
- explore funding possibilities (can our City Council member fund a space like the Coignet Stone Building?)
- explore walking tours with Johnny Thornton & Emily Chiavelli for spaces on the esplanades
- reach out to Brooklyn College Museum Studies Program for help.
- keep thinking about spaces for exhibits (temporary or permanent) including Arts Gowanus, new GCC space, Thomas Greene Park community center, Brooklyn Public Library
- approach the Department of Cultural Affairs and/or Department of Arts
- find a fiscal sponsor (OSH offered)
Introduced Mary Hedge, a local archivist of many talents.
- She said we have good intellectual control because we have all the history of the objects that have been retrieved, but
- We need to work on provenance, ownership and
- Safe storage (fundraiser?). Some storage conditions currently are good, others need work.
She said that for an exhibit, we need to have a way to ensure physical security of the objects.
Digital is easy and there is a market for that. She wishes there were more history of the Canal out there but we do have Joseph who is THE historian for Gowanus’s long and important history.
So, how can we generate interest?
We have to bring awareness of what we have to a larger audience via:
- Poster exhibits
- Street Kiosks
The last exhibit she did was at the Museum of the City of New York for the Triboro Bridge and Tunnel Authority. She will reach out to the museum to see if they would entertain the idea of an exhibit there in 2026.
She also said we need to focus on a theme – an overview? Industrial Revolution? Cleanup? We think Industrial Revolution.
We can use the storyboards but must review (Joseph to give it a very tough look). If we can tell a story that generates interest and tell what we need, we can fundraise.
Peter suggested we approach and follow closely the rebuilding of 234 Butler since we have the lovely architectural drawings of the old building and they could, potentially, go on-site.
Andrea suggested a letter to the Landmarks Preservation Commission to hurry up and approve plans for the rehab of the Carroll Street Bridge. She will draft something and reach out to Council Member Hanif as well.