Luncheon To Benefit Historic Restoration

The SHSU history department and the Walker County Historical Commission are teaming up for a fundraising event to help restore one of the oldest family homes in Walker County.

The two will host a St. Patrick’s Day Irish Lunch on Wednesday (March 17) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to raise money for the renovation of interior rooms in the Gibbs-Powell House/Museum, on the corner of 11th Street and Avenue M.

Lunches of Irish beef stew, a beverage and dessert will be served for $5 at the Gibbs-Powell House/Museum. All proceeds will benefit the Gibbs-Powell House/Museum restoration fund.

“It’s (the house is) a group revival home that was built in 1862,” said Evelyn McDaniel, treasurer of the Walker County Historical Commission, which is in charge of the operation of the house/museum. “We’ve done a lot of restoration on the exterior of it but we’re just now beginning to do the interior.

“Caroline Crimm and Susannah Bruce, in the history department, are working with us as members of the historical commission and representatives of the university to help us in that,” she said.

McDaniel said the historical commission has already restored two rooms, at a cost of about $3,000 per room.

The house, which also serves as the historical commission’s base of operation, now holds Walker County relics.

“We have artifacts, old furniture and documentation, and we’re trying to preserve all of that for future generations to see,” she said.

Take out orders will also be available at the fundraiser. For more information, contact McDaniel at 936.294.0057.

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SHSU Media Contact: Jennifer Gauntt
March 12, 2004
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