Fundraising and Restoration Continues on Historic Mesquite Building

By CHERYL JENSEN

The Progress

The Dutch oven dinner fundraiser was held on Friday, April 14 for the restoration of the historic Relief Society House in Mesquite. The following day a volunteer work day was held at the house.

At the dinner fundraiser, held at Heritage Park under perfect spring weather, the large crowd was served up generous helpings of Uncle Wes’ dutch oven fried chicken, with chuck wagon potatoes, salad and hot apple brown betty with ice cream for dessert.

The evening’s entertainment was provided by Mountain Strings performing country songs including gospel favorites, songs of the Blue Ridge Mountains and western ballads by the Butlers and Mortensons.

On Saturday morning, progress was made on the interior of the historic old house which is now located on the east side of Willow Street north of Mesquite Blvd. The last of the studs were removing that formed the old walls of the Hughes’ home.

The young women of the Willows Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints came to assist in sanding and painting the kitchen drawers.

Brynn and Michelle Andrus made a copy of the quilt pattern stenciled around the ceiling.
“The original stencil pattern was found when the interior walls were removed and it was still visible at the back of a closet,” said local historian Geraldine Zarate.

Several years ago, Zarate interviewed long-time Mesquite resident Margaret Hardy, who had first-hand memories of what the house looked like.
“Margaret still had a clear memory, at the age of 103,” Zarate said. “She talked about the interior with creamy white walls with the quilt pattern around the top and blue gingham curtains at the windows.”
Wes Carter, who works for the City of Mesquite and is the project manager behind the restoration efforts, talked about upcoming plans for the project.

“The original house was small and when the front room was added, a cellar was built under the kitchen with stairway leading down to it,” Carter said. “We plan to get steps and sidewalk and install the door by next month.”

The next work day at the house will be Saturday, May 13.

When the house is fully restored, it is planned to be used as a meeting room for events, family gatherings and perhaps small wedding receptions. It will have the large room, the kitchen and another small room in the back.