2023 Newell Historical Society Newsletter
Allee Queen Anne Victorian Resplendent in New Colors
Summer 2022 was marked by the complete repainting of the Jesse James Allee Mansion. Generous donations by local businesses and individual supporters far and near made this $60,000+ project a reality. Finished in time for the annual open house in August, the newly painted Mansion greeted visitors then and at the Christmas Open House in December.
It’s your turn! Join us on August 5, 2023 for an Open House from 1-4 p.m, Free tours, home-baked pie and ice cream in the air-conditioned mansion will cool you off in the midst of other Newell Watermelon Days activities. At five o’clock, bring a lawn chair or a golf cart to the central monument in the cemetery to learn about it as well as a history of the cemetery itself, diseases in the early days of Newell and the pioneer Stetson family at our 5th annual Cemetery Talk.
New Acquisitions Enrich Collections (& Vocabulary!)
Étagère (eh-tah-zhair’): A French word for a set of hanging or standing open shelves used to display collections of objects or ornaments, the étagère became a popular form of furniture in the nineteenth century. Similar to the what-not, the shelves of the étagère provided extra space for displaying the accumulation of knickknacks typical of Victorian home decor.
The Étagère in the left photo below stood proudly in the home of long-time Newell residents Orville & Margaret Rogers. It comes to us from their granddaughters, Linda Miller and Julie Wilson. In the photo it is decorated for the Christmas Open House.
The upper right photo shows memorabilia from Keith Carter; previously on display at the Newell Library, this large group of items which includes baskets, coffee and tea pots, and wooden dolls is now entrusted to the Newell Historical Society and has been added to the existing Keith Carter display.
The lower left photo is a watercolor scene painted by Harriet McClurg, the wife of one of the Allee Farm managers. After George Allee gave the house and land to Iowa State, the mansion was used as housing for the managers and their families. The painting was found in a closet of a Newell home in 2022 and donated in time for display at the Christmas Open House.
The NHS has reprinted the Newell Heritage cookbook originally put out by the Junior Federated club in 1974. A limited number are still available for $20 each plus shipping.
You can get yours at the Open House August 5 & the Golf Tournament August 26, as well as the Christmas Open Houses on Saturday, December 2nd and Sunday, December 3rd.
Will You Come Alongside?
The Newell Historical Society is a non-profit organization which relies on donations, memberships, and fundraising to continue the restoration of the 1891 Allee Mansion and the preservation of the community’s history. Contributions are tax deductible; NHS is incorporated as a 501(c)(3).
Volunteer Opportunities
The NHS depends upon volunteers for tour guides, housecleaning, serving refreshments, garden and landscaping, decorating for events, etc. Please call Suana at712-662-8100 for more information.
Your help is appreciated very much!
———————————-Complete, cut here & return————————————–
I am interested in (feel free to check more than one!):
Becoming a member/renewing my membership.
My check is enclosed for $______ Individual $10; Business $50; Sustaining $100
Making a cash gift. Check enclosed for $_____
Making a memorial gift. Contact NHS for details.
Donating or loaning item(s) to the Historical Society
Becoming a volunteer
Information on renting the Mansion for an event
Information on becoming a hole-sponsor for the golf tournament
A Newell Heritage Cookbook $20. Add $6 shipping
Name________________________________
Address_______________________________
City_______________State_____Zip Code_________
Phone #___________Email________________
Complete and mail with check to :
Newell Historical Society
PO Box 5
Newell IA 50568
Your continued support is very important to the preservation of our community’s history and the Allee Mansion in which it is housed. Thank you for your donation. Volunteer today and become involved in your community!
About the Newell Historical Society
The NHS is a non-profit organization that relies on donations, memberships and fund raising to continue the restoration of the Allee Mansion and the preservation of the history of the surrounding community. Donations can be mailed to Newell Historical Society, Box 5, Newell, IA 50568. All donations are tax deductible. The tax identification number is 42-1326004. The “Newell School Room” exhibit highlighting memorabilia from the late 1800’s to present day activities. If you are an alumnus, this is where you can help, especially if you graduated anywhere from 1970 on up to 2021. We need pictures, articles, music and play programs, and sports team news. Items from grandparents to kindergarteners are appreciated.
Saturday, August 6, 2023 Open House
August 5-7, 2023 will be the annual Newell Pride Days celebration with lots of activities planned for the whole family. The Mansion will be open on Saturday, the 6th with free tours, live music and many hands-on displays both inside and outside the Mansion. Back by popular demand will be the “Cemetery Walk” where “resurrected” community members of years gone by tell their stories and relive the history of Newell. Don’t miss it! This fourth annual walk will feature an all new group of characters sharing interesting tidbits for your information and entertainment.
Tour the Allee Mansion
Enjoy touring the 1891 Queen Anne Victorian Mansion with stained glass windows, towering round turret and open staircase leading to the furnished upstairs rooms. With the pump organ playing and the Victrola turned on, the early 1900’s will come alive again. Check out the Keith Carter Arabic Museum with artifacts from countries around the world. The Mansion is on the National Register of Historic Places and has received several awards for outstanding preservation of an historic home. It is located on the Iowa State University Demonstration Farm just one mile south of Newell.
Sincerely,
Newell Historical Society Board Members
- Marilyn Monson
- Paul Monson
- Marty Olsen
- Tom Olsen
- Lyle Rossiter
- Steve Smith
- Suana Wessendorf
