Log Cabin Questers

Martha Hahn was hostess to 10 Log Cabin Questers and one guest, Mary Levy on April 3, 2014.

Mary Levy, who is on the Conger House board in Washington and also part of the Washington County Historical Society?s board, gave a report on the activities of these organizations. The 2014 Annual Membership Drive for the Washington Historical Society will be held at the West Chester Community Center on April 28 at 5:30. The West Chester School was built 100 years ago. Interested people may purchase tickets for this event by April 18. This society supports Conger House, Walnut School, Red Brick School, West Chester School, and the Dublin Store. Donations to maintain these local projects are always welcome.

Mary enthusiastically told about the progress made on the Conger House project including the Native American Room Indian Collection which will be on display this year. Arrowheads, tomahawks, and the buffalo head will be shown this year at the May 18 grand opening! These items have been carbon dated by University of Iowa, and some are over 8,000 years old. A new exhibit, ?The Dublin Store,? will also be housed in the museum. She said to look for the Dublin Store?s old sink which had a water storage well.

They will be planning a reenactment of the first opening of the Conger House which was in 1973. Edna Jones was one of the first historians to help establish the history of Washington County.

Mary told about the school projects ? West Chester, Walnut and Red Brick that the Historical Society is working on in conjunction with county fifth-grade tours. Tour guides for these schools are needed. Visiting these projects in Washington County gives everyone appreciation of our forefathers.

The DAR Log Cabin at Sunset Park is also in need of repair. The three Quester groups in Washington County will be applying for a grant from the Questers. Funds left from the S.E. Area day were given to the Log Cabin project. Karen Lyons will represent the Log Cabin group. Sheila Gerot has graciously offered her beautiful country yard for a Quester Garden Party fundraising project for the log cabin fund.

Sheila Gerot and Sharon Hahn will be attending the Quester State Day in Ames and Boone on April 4-5. They will be in charge of the Ways and Means tables.

Norma Stutsman gave the lesson on ?Calling Cards.? The early ones were handmade one at a time. Later you could buy a dozen for a $1. Most of these cards were decorated with flowers, such as roses and lily of the valley, and birds. They were left in the foyer on trays or given to the household help to deliver to the members in the home. Usually they were for the lady or man of the house. Folded corners on the early card denoted special messages. Norma had many beautiful cards in her collection, including some with fringe, some comical ones, and some that had scrap that could be opened.

Martha Hahn served seasonal refreshment at the close of the meeting.