A meeting of the NORT board of directors was  held at 4 PM on September 1, 1999 at 1200 St. 
Charles Avenue. Present were officers Charlie Matkin, Peter Gabb and Paul Yacich. In the absence 
of Connie Quave, there was no reading of previous minutes nor a treasurer’s report. The main order 
of business was a resolution submitted by Paul Yacich and seconded by Peter Gabb to reinstate the 
board of directors of the Broadcast Arts Museum   of  Greater New Orleans. The motion passed 
unanimously. As there was no further business to discuss, Peter Gabb moved for adjournment and 
Paul Yacich seconded the motion. No date was set for the next board meeting .

Afterward, in the absence of a Secretary, a general discussion was held by members of the Museum 
board of directors. Present were Charlie Matkin, Peter Gabb, Paul Yacich, Melinda Schwegmann, 
and Warren Bell. Also taking part was Kenneth Nelson, son of  our benefactor Waldemar Nelson.  It 
is they who have made it possible to store our accumulated vintage  broadcast equipment and 
memorabilia. Several new members were added.:  Noah Robert (tour guide), Pat Tunstall (retired 
Insurance executive and former talk show host), and Sammy Schwartz (artist, musician and talk 
show host).

It was agreed that the top priority now is to raise a sum of $10,000 to pay for the storage space, as 
there is a need for air conditioning in order to preserve what we have. This amount would give us a 
year or more to find further funding. 

We were presented with plans for the building at 1115 Prytania which the Nelsons have offered for 
sale at $500,000. This could be the permanent site for the Radio and TV museum. Included with the 
plans is a detailed history of the building dating back to the 1860s and the Civil War.  Nelson said the 
building needs some immediate repairs to the roof (among other things) and a total renovation would 
cost one million dollars.  It was felt that due to the historical significance of the building, funding 
might be available from any one of several sources. Matkin presented list of other local foundations 
to approach.  Tunstall reported that he has been in touch with newly elected U.S. Representative 
David Vitter and that he will contact Robert Monroe of the local Monroe Foundation.. Ms. 
Schwegmann will talk with her contacts in Baton Rouge about state funds. Bell suggested that 
Matkin needed help from other board members in approaching various funding sources and said he 
would talk with some local politicians.

Some board members felt that a name for the museum should be more all-inclusive and not give the 
impression of being only for and of the New Orleans area.  No action was taken at this time, however.

Earlier, several board members and prospective members contacted Matkin with regrets that they 
would be unable to attend, but do wish to be on the board.  Ed Clancy took a tour of the storage area 
and looked at the proposed museum site, as did Ms. Linda Mintz.  She felt she could not join the 
board but will support efforts with her talents and ideas.

The meeting closed with no definite date to meet again, but for all members to keep in touch with 
progress reports.

Charlie Matkin, President
New Orleans Radio Theatre, Inc.
Broadcast Arts Museum of Greater New Orleans