1 Pleasant Street Historic Society Request for Beam Surplus County Commission Presentation July 12, 2011

Citizen Request June 28, 2011 Citizen Request June 28, 2011 Request that BoCC direct Public Works to surplus three (3) beams 18 x 10 x 10 donated by State of Florida Forestry Division to the County from the Goethe State Forest and not part of the original historic house, to be utilized by the Pleasant Street Historic Society, Inc. to complete renovations of the Smith-Griffin House in Gainesville. Request that BoCC direct Public Works to surplus three (3) beams 18 x 10 x 10 donated by State of Florida Forestry Division to the County from the Goethe State Forest and not part of the original historic house, to be utilized by the Pleasant Street Historic Society, Inc. to complete renovations of the Smith-Griffin House in Gainesville. African American history from Alachua County will be showcased in the Pleasant Street house afterwards. African American history from Alachua County will be showcased in the Pleasant Street house afterwards. 2

Smith Griffin House Renovation underway NW 8th Avenue, Gainesville

BoCC Action June 10, Commissioner Byerly moved the modified motion to authorize Public Works to proceed with the deconstruction of the Scott-Phifer House historical ruins, partnering with the University of Florida and the Alachua County Historical Commission for the preservation and cataloguing of historically significant materials at the site, at a cost not to exceed $ It is the intention of the Board of County Commissioners to use the stored materials in a reconstruction and/or historic preservation project on site at some point in the future. The motion carried 5-0. Commissioner Byerly moved the modified motion to authorize Public Works to proceed with the deconstruction of the Scott-Phifer House historical ruins, partnering with the University of Florida and the Alachua County Historical Commission for the preservation and cataloguing of historically significant materials at the site, at a cost not to exceed $ It is the intention of the Board of County Commissioners to use the stored materials in a reconstruction and/or historic preservation project on site at some point in the future. The motion carried 5-0.

Scott Phifer Site Update 5 Currently a Historical Commission member is completing work to submit documentation to the State Division of Historical Resources to approve a Historical Marker for the site, and the Historical Commission voted to dedicate previously donated funds to this project. Currently a Historical Commission member is completing work to submit documentation to the State Division of Historical Resources to approve a Historical Marker for the site, and the Historical Commission voted to dedicate previously donated funds to this project. Hawthorne Historical Museum is interested in displaying the artifacts but a planned expansion is delayed so it is uncertain when this may be possible. Hawthorne Historical Museum is interested in displaying the artifacts but a planned expansion is delayed so it is uncertain when this may be possible. The requested beams are NOT the original house beams. The requested beams are NOT the original house beams. These historic beams will hopefully be displayed in future.

6 Significance of Historic Scott-Phifer House The Scott-Phifer house was the only known ante-bellum house on the east side of County The Scott-Phifer house was the only known ante-bellum house on the east side of County The historic large beams that supported the house still show the inscribed Roman numerals used to properly assemble the framework The historic large beams that supported the house still show the inscribed Roman numerals used to properly assemble the framework The house was constructed by slaves whose descendents are still living in the area. The house was constructed by slaves whose descendents are still living in the area.

7 Historical Connection of Antebellum Scott Phifer House to Gainesville Pleasant Street Neighborhood The Scott Phifer house was part of Alachua Countys African American Heritage. The Scott Phifer house was part of Alachua Countys African American Heritage. Pleasant Street in Gainesville was the 1 st predominantly African American historic district in the State of Florida to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. An active community organization exists here today. Pleasant Street in Gainesville was the 1 st predominantly African American historic district in the State of Florida to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. An active community organization exists here today.

8 Discussion