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.

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 5^th Street just north of Center Street. The tour features a variety of architectural styles.

This year’s tour features five homes located on North 5^th Street just north of Center Street. The tour features a variety of architectural styles. The first home at 217 N. 5^th is an1860 Greek Revival/Italianate style home built by James Munson. Next door at 221 N. 5^th, 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. 5^th 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. 5^th, 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. 5^th. The Albert Pettibone mansion was built in the Queen Anne Style in 1895. This home is now the elegant Garden House B&B.

FRIENDS OF HISTORIC HANNIBAL

www.hannibalhistoricsocieties.org

VOLUME 14, ISSUE NO. 5, May 5, 2008

Next Meeting: May 8, 2008, 7 p.m.

Where: 9 Stillwell Place,

Hannibal Home of Nancy & Fred Cruse,

This Month’s meeting will be at the home of Nancy and Fred Cruse. The house is a fine example of Queen Anne architecture. Of all the Victorian house styles, Queen Anne is the most elaborate and the most eccentric. The style is often called romantic and feminine, yet it is the product of a most unromantic era -- the machine age. Queen Anne became an architectural fashion in the 1880s and 1890s, when the industrial revolution was building up steam. North America was caught up in the excitement of new technologies. Factory-made, precut architectural parts were shuttled across the country on a rapidly expanding train network. Exuberant builders combined these pieces to create innovative, and sometimes excessive, homes.

Although easy to spot, the Queen Anne style is difficult to define. Many are lavished with gingerbread, but some are made of brick or stone. Many have turrets, but this crowning touch is not necessary to make a house a queen. A list of Queen Anne features can be deceptive. Queen Anne architecture is not an orderly or easily classified. Bay windows, balconies, stained glass, turrets, porches, brackets, and an abundance of decorative details combine in unexpected ways. Popular during the time of Britain's Queen Victoria, Queen Anne architecture has little to do with the 16th century Queen Anne. Moreover, the exuberant Queen Anne style bears little resemblance to the formal architecture that was popular during the 1700s when Queen Anne reigned. Builders and homeowners named the style Queen Anne because they associated the historical queen with elegance and grandeur.

We will be meeting in the Garden if it is nice, so please bring lawn chairs. We will tour the first floor of the house and the out-structures of the property.

Homes Tour a Great Success

Our Homes tour was a great success. We had 220 guests this year and raised enough money to keep doing whatever it is we do for another year! Perhaps the worst experience of the tour for everyone was to walk into the Hawkins House and see the glaring holes where the mantles were. Shame on the idiot who tore them from the walls to sell for $100 each. Shame on the Treasure Chest for dealing in such items. When will Hannibal learn to cherish its architectural treasures. How much methamphetamine and beer do you suppose $200 buys?

Dues are due.

May is with us once again

time to pay your dues

should you fail to send them in

we will have the blues

Ten bucks is cheap

you must agree

Any lower,

might as well be free

So bring your check

to Cruse’s house

If you don’t

you’re a chiseling louse

We need a new Treasurer

Karen Jones has relocated to Iowa. Therefore, if you or someone you know would be willing to serve as treasurer, be sure to volunteer at the meeting.

E-mail update

Several people have indicated that they are not receiving the e-mail notices which means that we do not have their e-mail addresses. If you do not receive e-mails on 5/06 and 5/07, please send an e-mail to Nancy Talley at realnct@centurytel.net. E-mail notices are a great way to keep up with events between regular meetings.

Friends of Historic Hannibal

PO Box 1548

Hannibal MO 63401

2007-2008 Officers

President: Nancy Talley realnct@centurytel.net

Vice President: Bill Conley

Secretary: Carrie Smashey carrie@ddrm.net

Treasurer: ????????

Newsletter: Terrell Dempsey terrell@ddrm.net

Webmaster: Nancy Talley realnct@centurytel.net