MINUTES OF THE MARY MCLEOD BETHUNE COUNCIL HOUSE NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE
FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING
JULY 15, 2024, 10:00 A.M.
MEMBERS:
Ida Jones Special Government Employee
Alotta Taylor Representative
Betty Gardner Special Government Employee
Kenvi Phillips Special Government Employee
Lopez Matthews Special Government Employee
Maurice Hobson Special Government Employee
Janice Mathis Representative
Sheila Flemming-Hunter Representative (via teleconference)
Heather Huyck Special Government Employee (via teleconference)
Barbara Spencer Dunn Representative
Jamiah Adams Representative (via teleconference)
Elizabeth Clark-Lewis Special Government Employee (via teleconference)
Thelma Daley Representative
Heather Lawson Representative (excused absence)
STAFF:
Tara Morrison Superintendent and DFO
Mike Commisso Deputy Superintendent
Michael Donato Chief of Staff and ADFO
Vince Vaise Visitor Services Program Manager
Jerome Bussey Maintenance Program Manager
Maria Castro Policy Associate
Misty Kinczkowski Archivist
GUESTS:
Jassette Archer Recording Secretary, Minutes Solutions Inc.
1. CALL TO ORDER
There being a quorum present, and adequate and proper notice of the meeting having been given, the meeting was called to order at 10:28 a.m. Ida Jones presided as Chair. All present were welcomed and the meeting agenda was reviewed in detail.
2. SUPERINTENDENT UPDATE
Tara Morrison reminded the Commission of the updates from the Chair, emphasizing the public component of the process and the role of federal advisory committees in providing expert recommendations to the NPS. Members’ responsibilities included attending and participating in meetings, reviewing materials in advance, engaging in discussions, aiding the Department of the Interior, providing advice between meetings, and preparing for the next public meeting. They are to comply with ethics laws, complete training, cooperate with the designated federal official, serve their terms or resign if unable to do so, avoid presenting individual views as those of the Committee, and complete administrative tasks on time.
3. NATIONAL PARK SERVICE PROGRAM UPDATES
3.1 Portfolio-Wide Updates
3.1.1 Hiring Multiple Positions
During their meeting in January, 2024, National Capital Parks – East (NACE) staff discussed their broader responsibilities across DC and Maryland, in addition to the focus on the Council House and archives. They provided updates on prioritization, project funding, and the hiring of multiple positions, including Misty Kinczkowski as the archivist for the National Archives of Black Women’s History. They highlighted key roles like Resource Management Program Manager, Culture Resource Manager, and Supervisory Curator, noting that these positions would have broader NACE focus and include responsibilities for the Council House and would be shared for further circulation once advertised. NACE is recruiting a Permit Coordinator for public requests and a Gardener Supervisor for the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, with the latter being unrelated to the Committee’s primary focus.
3.1.2 Multiple Planning and Construction Projects
Several planning and construction projects have been undertaken, including the ‘Reimagine Anacostia Park’ effort, which followed a 2017 management plan and multiple public comment periods culminating in one that is open and concluded in August 2024. Approximately $11.8 million was allocated for improvements to the recreational areas in Wards 7 and 8, focusing on upgrading playgrounds, restrooms, fields, and other amenities. A new film at the Frederick Douglass NHS is in its final stages of development and will be released by early 2025, and the Carter G. Woodson Home NHS is expected to reopen in the first half of next year despite delays. Updates on the Council House will be provided by the program managers.
3.2 Visitor Services
3.2.1 New Exhibits
The new exhibits at the Council House have been installed. The exhibits impact every room but most significantly the Secretaries’ Office, which previously lacked context as it was once used for other purposes, confusing its historical role. Items such as an addressograph and mimeograph machine, better reflect the office’s significance for the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW). The space also featured enhanced furnishings and informative panels,
which were attributed to the efforts of the archivist and conservation legacy interns.
3.2.2 Ongoing Projects
The same company that made the brochure for the Carter G Woodson Home National Historic Site will soon develop a new brochure for the Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site. Recruitment was underway for nine positions at the historic homes, including part-time guides and park rangers, to onboard new staff by late August, 2024. This brought the total to 13 staff members dedicated to the three historic homes, with additional interns and
volunteers. The goal was to increase the open days for the Council House, Woodson and Douglass NHSs. Efforts were also made to recruit docents and build connections with local schools and organizations.
3.2.3 Visitor Survey
The National Park Service conducted a comprehensive visitor survey across various sites last year. The draft report provides a glimpse into visitor demographics and behaviors, including the surprising finding that a significant percentage of visitors to the Council House were from California and between the ages of 18 to 29, with efforts needed to attract older demographics.
Based on the survey data, actions include enhancing social media presence and interactive exhibits to appeal to younger audiences. Approximately 30% of visitors spent four days in Washington, suggesting that marketing the Council House alongside other attractions could increase visitation.
The Mary Bethune McLeod Memorial event was a success, drawing nearly 600 attendees. Based on a 1974 program, the event featured an outstanding actress and various activities. The event was highlighted by positive media coverage as well as contributions from the NCNW.
The Commission noted that the visitor survey was conducted in August. The results might differ from February and March, with more school-aged children. It was also suggested that the lower numbers from Maryland in August may be due to out-of-state visitors being more prevalent during the summer.
3.3 Resource Management
The stairs are expected to be completed by the end of the calendar year. The project includes structural reinforcements, flashing, and painting. A new archivist was hired to improve accessibility to the archives and reestablish research requests that had been inactive since the previous archivist.
The NACE staff discussed ongoing projects, which were primarily focused on the Bethune House, with plans to also assess the Carriage House.
3.4 Maintenance
An assessment by the Historic Preservation Training Center (HPTC) will be conducted from July 23 to 24, 2024, focusing on work such as window repairs. The project was slated to begin in FY 2025 at an estimated cost of $600,000. The duration of the project was to be determined once further details were available.
4. RULES SUBCOMMITTEE REPORT
Chair: Thelma Daley
Members: Janice Mathis and Heather Lawson.
The Rules Subcommittee report was essential in establishing the foundation for all actions of
the Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site Advisory Commission. The
Commission required standardized rules to effectively guide its operations. The proposed
standing rules were thoroughly reviewed to ensure they met the Commission’s needs and
provided a clear framework for its activities.
On a motion made by chair Thelma Daley, seconded by Alotta Taylor, it was resolved to accept the proposed standing rules for the Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site Advisory Commission, as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
5. ENHANCED INTERPRETATION SUBCOMMITTEE REPORT
Co-Chairs: Barbara Spencer Dunn and Betty Gardner
Members: Elizabeth Clark-Lewis, Heather Huyck, Maurice Hobson
Staff: Tara Morrison, Michael Donato
The role of the Enhanced Interpretation Subcommittee was to recommend ways to enhance the visitor experience, using archives and other resources, basing their recommendations on the following identified challenges:
5.1 Challenge 1: Limit Parking at the Council House and Keep Visitation Numbers Lower
The Subcommittee recommended using shuttle buses and public transportation, collaborating with women’s groups for tours and webinars, and promoting the NPS passport on the website to increase visitation and engagement.
Sheila Flemming-Hunter inquired about whether the possibility of acquiring additional land for parking had been investigated, suggesting that it should be. The Commission noted that this option had not been explored recently; although the Park Service had considered researching use of existing lots on off-days, there is little interest in adding parking and new projects aim to reduce existing parking spaces. Sheila Flemming-Hunter emphasized the need for more detailed public transportation information to encourage visits.
5.2 Challenge 2: Building Awareness/Visitation at the Council House
The Subcommittee recommended presenting Mary McLeod Bethune’s life and legacy through a multidimensional lens, organizing panel sessions at conferences, strengthening ties with African American public history and STEAM education, replicating successful NPS docent training, and using digital tools to promote her legacy. They also suggested training interns with an introduction to NPS, recruiting from regional historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), and engaging the community through events at the Bethune House.
Heather Huyck advised the Commission of the President’s executive order directing the NPS and other federal agencies to enhance women’s history. A group was working on this initiative, particularly in Parks, with Mary McLeod Bethune being a crucial part of that story, providing an additional tool and opportunity.
Sheila Flemming-Hunter suggested a dedicated conference on Mary McLeod Bethune, potentially partnering with Bethune-Cookman University, NCNW, and other organizations. Betty Gardner agreed to add this idea as a recommendation. Heather Huyck noted that the 2026 Berkshire Conference on the Histories of Women, focusing on social justice and held in Evanston, would also be suitable for Mary McLeod Bethune. Gardner suggested that a dedicated conference might better highlight Bethune’s legacy.
Elizabeth Clark-Lewis supported the idea of a symposium and suggested partnering with Howard University, particularly with Dr. Ashley Robertson Preston, to keep the event manageable and impactful. Janice Mathis noted that a one-day symposium on Bethune was held in 2021 and suggested that the NCNW’s 90th anniversary next year and national Juneteenth celebrations could offer further opportunities to revisit the topic.
On a motion made by Barbara Spencer Dunn, seconded by Maurice Hobson, it was resolved to accept the report from the Enhanced Interpretation Committee. Motion carried unanimously.
The Commission recessed for lunch from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. and resumed at 1:33 p.m.
6. COMMUNICATIONS AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SUBCOMMITTEE REPORT
Chair: Alotta Taylor
Members: Thelma Daley, Sheila Flemming-Hunter, Janice Mathis
The role of the Communications and Community Engagement Subcommittee was to offer recommendations that would help the National Park Service enhance public awareness and community engagement with the Mary McLeod Bethune Council House. The Subcommittee recommended developing formal partnerships, addressing prohibitive factors like Saturday closures, providing literature at the Capitol Visitor Center, expanding school engagement with visits and virtual connections, creating a brief video and circulating the brochure, and considering the creation of a YouTube channel.
The Commission discussed the presence of NAACP college branches and whether there are staff available to create YouTube videos. It was noted that people are working on the website to produce short videos, but the Subcommittee had not recommended specific video content. The visibility of Abraham Lincoln and its connection to the house was questioned. The Commission also considered ways for visitors to engage with the house outside of regular hours, such as through maps or QR codes for educational content from the outside.
Jamiah Adams inquired about the cost of staffing the Council House on Saturdays, NPS responded that it is not cost-prohibitive but limited staffing is the issue. She also suggested that only one dedicated person was needed for creating digital content and that simpler, phone-recorded videos would be effective, offering to provide further details on the required skill set for this role if needed.
On a motion made by Alotta Taylor, seconded by Barbara Spencer Dunn, it was resolved to adopt the recommendations by the Communications and Community Engagement Subcommittee. Motion carried unanimously.
7. ARCHIVES SUBCOMMITTEE REPORT
Chair: Lopez Matthews
Members Kenvi Phillips and Ida Jones
The Archives Subcommittee was assigned to offer guidance on working with digitization and digital archives, advising the following:
7.1 Recommendation 1: Research the Viability of Utilizing Amazon’s Azure Cloud
Park Service recommended using Microsoft Azure for internal purposes while considering other digital archive platforms for public-facing needs. Although Amazon Azure was the long term goal for NPS, alternative platforms were deemed more practical in the short term.
7.2 Recommendation 2: Research and Develop a Robust Metadata Schema and Digitization Standard
For digitization projects, establishing a consistent metadata scheme, such as Dublin Core, was essential. This ensured that all documents were accurately described and preserved. Additionally, standardizing digitization practices, including DPI and file formats, was crucial for long-term preservation and accessibility.
7.3 Recommendation 3: Connect with Local Organizations with Similar Collections and Digitization Capabilities
Connecting with other organizations provided funding and resources for digitization projects. These partnerships offered financial support and facilitated internships, benefiting both the institutions involved and the students participating.
Jamiah Adams suggested collaborating with the Library of Congress for digitization, noting their work on NAACP papers. Lopez Matthews acknowledged the idea but emphasized building the National Archives of Black Women’s History’s (NABWH) own infrastructure to ensure independence. Jamiah Adams highlighted the potential benefits of having a nonbusiness partner like the Library of Congress to enhance public access. Lopez Matthews agreed that while the Library of Congress had robust infrastructure, the NABWH needed to develop its own digital archive and make its collections available to the public.
Heather Huyck expressed interest in digitization and asked for recommendations on priorities for the Park Service. Lopez Matthews suggested that Misty Kinczkowski should make these decisions based on usage data and researcher requests. Heather Huyck encouraged considering priorities for less-requested but important collections, proposing a friendly amendment to address this in future planning.
Barbara Spencer Dunn emphasized the importance of focusing on Black archives. Sheila Flemming-Hunter inquired about the receipt of new papers, and Misty Kinczkowski explained that additions were paused due to a backlog. Sheila Flemming-Hunter recommended establishing a policy with a timeline for accepting or rejecting materials. Thelma Daley pointed out that the Commission can only advise the NPS. Heather Huyck urged re-establishing collection efforts to avoid losing key documents and recounted witnessing important materials discarded. The Commission emphasized the need to get the new archive staff operational.
Jamiah Adams suggested considering independent digitization services beyond Amazon for more autonomy. Lopez Matthews clarified that the Park Service’s preference for Amazon Azure was not the Subcommittee’s decision and recommended that Misty Kinczkowski explore alternative platforms for public access if feasible.
Sheila Flemming-Hunter highlighted that the Mary McLeod Bethune Council House was unique in being established as both a house and an archive, differentiating it from other parks with archives.
On a motion made by Lopez Matthews, seconded by Kenvi Phillips, it was resolved to accept the recommendations of the Archives Subcommittee as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
8. COMMISSION DISCUSSION AND ACTIONS
Thelma Daley asked for feedback on the performance of the Commission. DFO Morrison stated the Commission was performing as intended and expressed great appreciation for the subcommittee work resulting in the reports and robust discussion.
The Commission discussed upcoming milestones for the various historic homes over the next few years. They referenced a past conference that addressed similar topics, and highlighted that 2026 would mark the 150th birthdays of Dr. Bethune and Dr. Woodson as well as the next Berkshire Conference. The Commission emphasized celebrating the work of Dr. Woodson and Dr. Bethune to benefit the country, focusing on their roles as culturally sustaining activists and how their contributions have influenced cultural continuity, aligning with the Park Service's efforts to sustain this legacy.
The Commission publicly acknowledged and commended Kenvi Phillips on her appointment as the Inaugural Director of the Barack Obama Presidential Library.
Tara Morrison, DFO called for the formation of a new subcommittee to oversee the future use of the Carriage House (The Carriage House Use Subcommittee). Heather Huyck and Maurice Hobson were nominated to serve on the Historical Preservation Committee, with Maurice Hobson proposed as Chair. Michael Donato agreed to find the date of the structural report for the Carriage House and provide it to the Subcommittee. There was also discussion that Dr. Tara White would be a valuable addition to the subcommittee.
9. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
The Chair informed the Commission that the meeting could conclude early, noting that there was time allocated for public comments between 5:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., and any comments could also be submitted in writing.
10. ADJOURNMENT
On a motion made by Janice Mathis, seconded by Kenvi Phillips and carried, it was agreed that there was no further business to transact; the formal Commission meeting was paused at 2:50 p.m. for public comments and adjourned at 2:51 p.m.
DISCLAIMER
The above minutes should be used as a summary of the motions passed and issues discussed at the meeting. This document shall not be considered a verbatim copy of every word spoken at the meeting.
Ida Jones, Chair
October 22, 2024
Tara Morrison, Superintendent
November 6, 2024
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