Will They or Won’t They? The Historical Museum Saga Winds Down.

By: Grace Smith – Wise News Network

CHERRYVILLE, NC (WNN) – As 2024 kicks off, a new beginning for the Cherryville Historical Museum is in sight. Despite months of legal battles and tensions between the City and the Cherryville Historical Association, it appears that an agreement could be on the horizon. 

These developments come days after December 31, 2023, which marked the end of the Historical Association’s lease. In August, a notice of non-renewal was posted on the Cherryville Historical Museum’s door, notifying the tenants that their lease with the City would not be renewed. 

After several negotiation attempts between the City Council and the Historical Association, both sides have presented their demands. Association members.  

Negotiations have been underway since the court hearing on November 6, 2023. A concerned citizen, Mike “Boozie” Dellinger, spearheaded the discussion between Al Putnam, the president of the Historical Association, and Brian Dalton, the City Manager. 

The City requested that all association members resign and leave the artifacts in the Museum. The Association required a written statement that the Museum would remain for at least 10 years and a lease agreement. 

This request comes from early reports that the building would be converted into a restaurant after the sale. This is not happening, and the City intends to keep the Museum at the Main Street location, along with the artifacts.

Last week, Dalton met with Putnam to discuss negotiations. Janice Hovis and Gary Freeman, two City Council Members, and Lori Pruitt, the other Historical Association member, attended the meeting as well. 

During the January 8, 2024, City Council Meeting, Dalton said both parties agreed to adopt new bylaws. Palmer Huffstetler Senior chartered the Historical Association. He drafted new bylaws and suggested that they be instated. 

A copy of the proposed bylaws has not been provided as of the publication of this article.

“We are trying to negotiate with Mr. Putnam and Lori Pruitt, the two members who are left, to adopt the new bylaws and resign from the Historical [Association], but the Museum would stay there as is,” said Dalton. 

Following the resignation of the existing Association members, the City Council will use the bylaws to appoint new board members to the Historical Association.

Although the discussions took place last week, the City had to wait for Putnam to respond to negotiations. He emailed the City Council a list of the Association’s requests before the City Council Meeting. 

“Mr. Putnam did send a list of [requests] that he wishes to have, some of that is not feasible, I would believe. Some of it we can look at, but a lot of it is not feasible.” said Dalton. 

Wise News Network obtained a copy of the current requests from the Historical Association. There are 10 items listed.

“There has developed and grown a serious lack of trust between the two organizations and this document upon agreement by both parties ensures the Cherryville Historical Museum is preserved at its current location with its collection of assets and continues to operate,” the list stated.

Notably, the Association’s requests state that the City will encumber the deed of the building to remain a museum as long as the property stands. 

The Association is also requesting an 11-year lease agreement, to be signed by both existing and newly appointed members once the City advertises for new Association members. The list stipulates that the Association should not be responsible for rent, electrical, or water payments.

Regarding the new appointments to the Historical Association, the list of requests asks that two of the positions be privately appointed. 

“Composition of the new board of directors will be three publicly appointed directors by the City Council and two privately appointed directors by the board members of the Association.” the list stated.

Additionally, the Association asks that the roof of the Museum building be fixed within 180 days of the appointment of a new board. During the City Council Meeting, Mayor H.L. Beam stated that the roof would be fixed using leftover grant money from the state.

Despite the ongoing negotiations, the City has expressed frustration regarding the Historical Association’s list of requests. Jon Abernethy, a City Council Member, voiced his opinion about the list.

“The relationship between us and that board is fractured beyond repair,” Abernethy said, “They reached out to us at four o’clock today wanting to negotiate terms at the last minute. I am not in favor of that.” 

The City Council agreed that this conflict must be resolved by the end of the week. In a unanimous vote, they decided to give the Association until 5:00 p.m. Friday, January 12, 2024, to adopt the agreement or the City will move forward with eviction. 

As this conflict approaches resolution, both the Association and the City express a desire to move forward, keeping the Museum and exhibits at the current location. Cherryville residents eagerly await the conclusion of this chapter in the city’s history; perhaps it may be documented in the Museum in the years to come.

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