The Dutch oven dinner fundraiser for the restoration of the historic Relief Society House in Mesquite was held on Friday, April 14 and the following day was workday at the house. The large crowd was served generous helping 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 - with country songs including gospel favorites, songs of the Blue Ridge Mountains and western ballads by the Butlers and Mortensons. Historical society is grateful to all those that came to the event. It was held at the Heritage Park with perfect spring weather.
Progress was made on the interior of the house with the last of the studs being removed 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. Geraldine excitedly told the story, “The original stencil pattern was found when the interior walls were removed, and it was still visible at the back of a closet.” Zarate also interview Margaret Hardy several years ago, “Margaret still had a clear memory at the age of 103 and talked about the interior with creamy white walls with the quilt pattern around the top and blue gingham curtains at the windows.”
Carter explained, “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. We plan to get steps and sidewalk and install the door by next month.” The next workday will be Saturday, May 13.
When the house is restored, it can be used as a meeting room for events, family gatherings and perhaps small wedding receptions. It will have a large room in the kitchen and another small room at the back.
Brynn and Michelle Andrus
John Zarate and Wes Carter
Olivia Law and Cambria Olsen
The Dutch Oven Dinner
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