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Welcome to Marion County, MO and Hannibal, MO Historic Groups
Marion County Historic Society (MCHS) Friends of Historic Hannibal (FOHH)
What is FOHH Old Baptist Cemetery Annual Home Tour Monthly Meetings Contacts Newsletter The Friends of Historic Hannibal group celebrates historic architecture and bringing new life to old buildings. FOHH was created fourteen years ago by newcomers to the downtown “historic” residential and commercial area of Hannibal. Some of the founding members were new to Hannibal and some had grown up in Hannibal, moved away, and were returning. These newcomers were buying historic houses and buildings in the downtown area and renovating them for their own use. The members of this group meet once a month. They share their experience of living in the historic area and restoring the buildings. Some of the sharing includes blisters and calluses, as well as restoration tips, sources of materials, and contractors. The fact that the group meets once a month, each time at a different location has helped keep interest going because it appeals to the curiosity factor, getting to see inside old houses and businesses. Refreshments are served and a tour is given by the owner of the building which includes information about the history and the renovation. For example, a recent meeting was held at 506-508 Bird, a double house owned by Candace and John Klemann. Present at the meeting were the original three couples who restored the building in 1995. Tales were told of the joys and pains of renovating the double house that had been condemned by the city before it was purchased. The "before" pictures spoke volumes of the work required to produce such wonderful results. Sharing renovation experiences and accomplishments is helpful for anyone embarking on a restoration project; it can keep the novice renovator from giving up in despair. One of FOHH’s most challenging projects has been restoration of the Old Baptist Cemetery. The cemetery had been neglected for many years; in fact many people were not aware it existed. The FOHH group took on the task of clearing brush, and locating stones, and then persuaded the city to remove dead trees. Now that the dead trees and brush are cleared out, the city keeps the cemetery mowed. FOHH has turned its attention to setting up stones which have fallen over and recording as much information as possible from the stones before the weathering makes them illegible. FOHH has also brought attention to some very interesting graves, including the stone marking a slave who belonged to Laura Hawkins’s mother, and black and white Civil War gravestones. FOHH schedules work days at the Old Baptist Cemetery beginning in spring, and continuing into fall. The September meeting for FOHH is an evening picnic in the cemetery.
STEP BACK IN HISTORY 150 YEARS WITH FRIENDS OF HISTORIC HANNIBAL HOME TOUR FOHH holds a home tour every year. The purpose of the tours is to promote appreciation of Hannibal’s old buildings and history. Money from the tours helps fund projects which FOHH helps support, such as books on historical architecture for the library, restoration on the rural Mt. Zion Church, the restoration of the 1858 Marion County Jail in Palmyra, Palmyra’s Gardner House Museum, Palmyra’s Lincoln School Memorial and donations to groups in the area who are struggling to preserve their history. This year’s tour features five homes located on North 5th Street just north of Center Street. The tour features a variety of architectural styles.
This year’s tour features five homes located on North 5th Street just north of Center Street. The tour features a variety of architectural styles. The first home at 217 N. 5th is an1860 Greek Revival/Italianate style home built by James Munson. Next door at 221 N. 5th, the Dubach House is an impressive Second Empire style mansion built in 1871 by David Dubach an entrepreneur and architect/builder. It is now the deluxe Dubach Inn B&B. Across the street are two homes being restored by the same family. Built in 1895, 214 N. 5th is Hannibal’s only Chateauesque style home. Its limestone front and elegant oak front door opens to reveal an even more elegant staircase and entry hall. The parlor and dining room feature exquisitely detailed mantels and woodwork. The house next door, 210 N. 5th, was the last home of Laura Hawkins, aka Becky Thatcher. Laura died in the home in 1928 while living with her son Judge Louis E. Frazer. This unfortunate 1887 Queen Anne style home was severely altered in its exterior appearance from a re -muddling done around 1950, but its interiors display a magnificent staircase, and beautiful woodwork. It will be interesting for tour goers to see the restoration in progress of these two great houses. The final home is 301 N. 5th. The Albert Pettibone mansion was built in the Queen Anne Style in 1895. This home is now the elegant Garden House B&B. For more tour information contact Candace Klemann at 573/248-1321 Contacts: President Nancy Talley Vice President Bill Conley Secretary Carrie Smashey Treasurer Karen Jones Newsletter Terrell Dempsey FOHH PA Frank Salter Friends of Historic Hannibal meet the second Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. Dues are $10.00 per year.
What is FOHH Old Baptist Cemetery Annual Home Tour |
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