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Mansion Monthly

June 2014

40 years gift to city

Greetings from the Mansion!

 

 
Father's Day first came on the scene in 1909 when Sonora Dodd of Spokane, Wash., listened to a Mother's Day sermon at church and decided she wanted to honor her father. The mayor of Spokane declared June 19, 1910, Father's Day because Dodd's father was born in June. Dodd's father was a widowed Civil War veteran who raised six children.

Father's Day in the United States is on the third Sunday of June. It celebrates the contribution that fathers and father figures make for their children's lives.

This brings to mind the devotion of a young Alicia Conrad to her father, who died when she was only 10 years old.  Her life long dream of preserving her family home as a tribute to her father and mother became a reality in December 1974 when the city of Kalispell took possession of the Mansion.  Through the generosity of our supporters, the Mansion will celebrate a 40-year milestone.  Thank you for your support over the years!

Gennifer, Margot & the Mansion Staff

                             

 
July 4th Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Social 
 

When the Kalispell 4th of July parade ends, the Ice Cream  Social at the Conrad Mansion begins!

   

Join us for free ice cream, music by the Flathead Valley New Horizons Band, face painting and new this year, vendors on the Mansion grounds.  Porteus BBQ will be on site if you'd like to purchase lunch.  

 

Tours of the Mansion are available at regular prices: $10 adult, $9 senior, $6 student, $4 children.

 
"A Glimpse at Downton Abbey Era Fashions at the Conrad Mansion 1912-1923" 

Clothing Exhibit Continues through October 15
As part of Kalispell's elite, the Conrad ladies  wore evenings dresses like these, embellished with lace and beads, to parties, dances and the theater. 

Examples of evening wear worn by the men who accompanied the Conrad ladies to these functions are shown below.  For specific details on this wonderful clothing exhibit, including pictures of Downton Abbey characters wearing similar clothing styles, click here.

Volunteer Teresa Knutson coordinates the historic clothing exhibits. She holds a degree in Costume and Textile Design with graduate work in Costume and Textile History. Since 2006, Teresa has inventoried all of the clothing and textiles in the collection, cataloguing over 230 historic garments.

 

Teresa's credits include volunteer experience at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, the Keeler Tavern in Ridgefield, CT and the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum in Golden CO. For 10 years, she was a seamstress and patternmaker for the Minnesota Opera Company.

  

Teresa says that she is thankful to be working with the Mansion's  wonderful costume collection. Since 2011, Sarah Safford has assisted Teresa with the historic clothing collection.  Thank you both!     

 
Back in the day -
Celluloid Collars and Cuffs
Celluloid Collar & Cuffs with Leather Traveling Case
Displayed in the Antique Room
Before modern-day washing machines, laundry was done by hand.  Men's shirts required extra scrubbing to remove ring around the collar and cuff soiling. The invention of celluloid collars and cuffs was hailed as convenient, neat and economical.  "The interior is fine linen with the waterproof qualities of celluloid. The trouble and expense of washing is saved.  When soiled simply rub with soap and water (hot or cold) used freely with a stiff brush.  They are perspiration-proof and are invaluable to travellers, saving all care of laundrying."
 
The postcard below shows a gentleman enjoying the benefits of celluloid cuffs and collars.  No worries here!

 

   
A Gift from Donna Carr
 

This beautiful doll and children's toys were recently donated by Friends of the Mansion member Donna Carr.  Donna has a connection to the Mansion.  She was the secretary to L. A. "Sam" Bibler, the first President of the Conrad Mansion Board of Directors.

The all bisque Armand Marseill doll was made in Germany around 1894.  The doll was originally a Christmas gift to Donna's aunt, Lucretia Apple Bleasdell (January 21, 1898 - April 30, 1989.)  The doll was passed down to Lucretia's sister, Geneva Apple Buck, who in turn gave it to her daughter Donna in November 1989.

Donna also donated a red and blue metal doll buggy, a bisque baby doll with moveable arms wearing a blue crocheted dress, a baby doll with moveable arms and legs and composite head wearing a red crocheted dress, a child's sad iron and Toby-shaped pitcher.
Shaving Demonstration 
   
 Guide Sharon applying lather to Sage
Shaving the old-fashioned way is a highlight of the school tour.  After making the lather in a shaving mug and applying it to a willing participant with a badger hair brush, the unsharpened edge of a straight razor is used to remove it.  Students love this demonstration.
 
A Trivia Question...
 

Approximately how many scoops of ice cream were served at last year's 4th of July

ice cream social?

 

1.  700

 

2.  800

 

3.  900

 

Look for the answer in

July's Newsletter.
 

 

************* 

 

MAY ANSWER:   

 

A total of 602 students

visited the Mansion

on school tours in 2013.

 

(See below for a picture of the shaving demonstration during a school tour.) 
Current  Exhibit ...  
 
******  



Upcoming Events ...   

 Ice Cream Social
July 4
******

Ghosts Tours
October 3 & 4
******
Welcome ...  Karissa 
 

Karissa White is the newest member to join the guide staff at the Mansion. Karissa is a college student at FVCC pursuing a degree in Business Administration.  She also works full time at the accounting firm of Denning, Downing & Associates in Kalispell. 

Karissa on the job!

Karissa's experience includes working at the Hotel Del Coronado, a National Historic Landmark, located in Coronado CA, where she shared history with the hotel's visitors.
Become a Member
 
Individual and Business members of the Conrad Mansion Museum receive...

*Unlimited Free Admission
*10% Discount in Gift Shop
(except consignment items)
*Discounts on Special Events
*Subscription to Newsletter
*Special Invitation to our Annual Member Appreciation Party
You can make a difference!
 
Please consider providing a donation or a lasting personal legacy that will positively impact future generations.  

You can support educational programs, support publications utilizing our documents, and help with brick & mortar projects to maintain the home.
 
As a 501(c)(3) corporation, any contribution to the Museum is tax deductible.
 
Give us a call at 406-755-2166 or visit our website for more information.
At Your Service
  
Executive Director: Gennifer Sauter
Assistant Manager: Margot Jaumotte
Maintenance: Tisch Haas
Gardener: Terry Eacker
Gardener: Dave Leger
Guide & Gift Shop Staff:
Cindy Connor
Sharon Pearson
Michelle Morgan
Virginia Swan
Mary Meister
Karissa White
Janae Barron
Alexa Lamers
Media Coordinator: Mary Miers

Board Of Directors:
Sue Corrigan, President
Vanessa Ceravolo, Vice-President
Everit Sliter, Treasurer
Catherine Weber, Secretary
Mark Norley
Teri Iwersen
Beth Collier
Gary Havens
Rita Fitzsimmons
Chris Vick, Family Representative
Diane Queen Miller
Celeste Pace
Katharine Thompson

Regular Volunteers:
Heather Houseworth
Mary Lou Lumpkin
Debra Johnson
Teresa Knutson
Marilyn Reynolds
Sarah Safford
Lana Bowers
Marlene Strand
Miriam Emerson

Where is this  in the Mansion?

  

 

 There are so many unique items and features of the Mansion!     

 

Do you know where this is? Drop us an email if you know.  Answer will be in next month's newsletter.

 

 

The image depicted last month is the chaise lounge or fainting couch in the Library.   

 

 
Conrad Mansion Museum
330 Woodland Avenue
Kalispell, MT  59901

406-755-2166
info@conradmansion.com

Small outside pic