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Mansion Monthly

July 2014

40 years gift to city

Greetings from the Mansion!

Whimsical 1900's French postcard depicting
 future air travel in the year 2000
July is a popular vacation month.  If you plan to host out-of- town company this summer, please include the Mansion on their "must see" list.  A tour of this National Historic Site offers a look at an elegant bygone era and the Mansion's Gift Shop provides guests with an opportunity to shop for that unique item or souvenir.

Visitors from all over the world have visited the Conrad Mansion, oftentimes because of  local recommendations.  As we approach the 40th anniversary of Kalispell taking possession of the Mansion, we want to say  how grateful we are for your continued support over the years!

Gennifer, Margot & the Mansion Staff

                              

 
What a Glorious 4th of July Celebration! 

Enjoying the Ice Cream Social on the Mansion Grounds 
 
   Snapshots of this fun community event
Flathead High School Braves scooping ice cream
Face Painting Artists   
Flathead Valley New Horizons Band
Our Parade Float
All in all, a Beautiful Day at the Mansion
Thank you to the many volunteers who helped make this celebration a success, including the Flathead High School Braves; the Flathead Valley New Horizons Band; Parade Float decorators Miriam Emerson and Bob Stephens; Face Painters Candy Stephens, Nicole Sauter and Straight Blast Gym members; Kristen Hamilton and family for coordinating the "scooping;" Set-up/clean-up crew Tisch Haas and Bill and Ruthie Jost; Board Members Rita Fitzsimmons, Teri Iwerson, and Mark Norley and Gift Shop volunteers Marlene Strand and Kris Golder. We'd also like to thank the community for their support and the entire Conrad Mansion staff who worked tirelessly to make this a memorable event.

Special thanks go out to Norm's News for providing the delicious ice cream. 
 
"A Glimpse at Downton Abbey Era Fashions at the Conrad Mansion 1912-1923" 

Clothing Exhibit Continues through October 15

   
Above are two summer day dresses on display as part of this season's clothing exhibit.  The floral print white dress on the left has the "lampshade" silhouette popularized by the French fashion designer Paul Poiret.   

The dress on the right has the columnar style of early 1920's dresses.  It has an intricate design to relieve the plainness of the straight style. Smocking on the shoulders and waist was borrowed from Eastern European peasant blouses.

Examples of children's clothing in the Nursery 

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 exhibit assisted by Sarah Safford.  Thank you both!     

 
Back in the day -
Steamer Trunks
 



Trunks have been around for centuries.  In America, as people moved westward and railroads were built, the demand for trunks increased.

 

In the late 1870s, a round top trunk (also called a humpback, camelback, barrel top or steamer) became popular.  Because of its shape, the domed-top trunk was believed to be favored by the wealthy because  it could only be packed on top of other baggage so it would not be damaged.

 

If a dome-shaped trunk was covered with tin, it shed water well and could be used for stagecoach travel.   

 

The steamer trunk in the pictures belonged to Mrs. Catherine Elizabeth (C.E.) Stanford, Mrs. Conrad's mother.  It has a beautiful purple lining and numerous compartments.  The trunk, in its closed position, is on display in the second floor Trunk Room.
 
If you looked closely at the vintage French postcard above, you may have noticed the humpback trunk among the luggage of the air travelers.    
A Generous Donation

Thank you!


 
 
Yes, you are seeing double!

This pair of EdenPURE Heaters was donated by the Marie Alguire Trust - Candy Stephens, Conservator, to make the Mansion more comfortable during Montana's cold winter months.

Because the Mansion has no insulation to speak of, when the outside temperature dips, so does the home's inside temperature.  For the comfort of our guests, one of these efficient heaters will be placed in the Dining Room during our holiday teas and the other in the upper floors during Christmas tours.  Another benefit to these auxiliary heaters is a reduction in our overall heating bill.

Thank you again for this thoughtful and very practical gift! 
A Trivia Question...
 

How many weddings are scheduled to be held on the Conrad Mansion grounds during the month of July 2014?

 

1.  4 

 

2.  5

 

3.  6

 

Look for the answer in

August's Newsletter.  

 

************* 

 

JUNE ANSWER:   

 

About 800 ice cream scoops were served at last year's July 4th event.
Current  Exhibit ...  
 
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Upcoming Events ...   

Ghosts Tours
October 3 & 4
******
Introducing 
New Guides
 
Janae Barron

Janae is one of our new guides.  She writes that "she is a senior at Flathead High School and a freshman at FVCC.  She is studying European linguistics and hopes to study in Italy next year.  She will be transferring to the University of Montana."

*****  

Alexa Lamers
 
Alexa Lamers is a Kalispell native. During the school year she attends Glacier High School where she participates in theatre as well as National Honors Society. She can also be found acting as a part of the Bigfork Playhouse Children's Theatre. During the summer one can find her doing spotlights for the Summer Theatre in Bigfork, reading or boating with her family. Alexa has wanted to be a tour guide at the Conrad Mansion since her grandmother, sister and mother visited it when she was younger and is very excited to now be a part of the Conrad Team.

*****  

Shalom Baer
Shalom writes:  I have lived in Kalispell my whole life;  my parents moved here shortly before I was born.  I am home schooled and will be entering my Junior year in High School this fall.  Considering my interest in history, I am very excited to begin working at the Conrad Mansion Museum.  When the weather affords, I also enjoy hiking, swimming and other outdoor activities.

*****
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: Dave Leger
Guide & Gift Shop Staff:
Cindy Connor
Sharon Pearson
Michelle Morgan
Virginia Swan
Mary Meister
Karissa White
Janae Barron
Alexa Lamers
Shalom Baer
Nancy Helgath
Stephaine Woodland
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 wreath design in the upper corner of the oak frame of the Library's bottle glass window.   

 

Conrad Mansion Museum
330 Woodland Avenue
Kalispell, MT  59901

406-755-2166
info@conradmansion.com

Small outside pic