Preserve Council Bluffs, formerly known as the Council Bluffs Historic Preservation Alliance, will present a “Spring Soiree: Extraordinary Dining in Council Bluffs’ Finest Homes” on Saturday, April 5. Participants will have the opportunity to step into the past and experience an elegant evening at one of seven historic Council Bluffs homes.
Featured this year are:
- 133 Bluff St., the Clinton House, built in 1868 for Samuel Clinton, attorney and judge. Host is Gordon Hitchcock.
- 116 S. Third St., the Dean House, built circa 1905 for Dr. Frank Dean, eye, ear, nose and throat specialist. Hostess is Connie Bartel.
- 223 Park Ave., the Evans House, built in 1865 for Samuel S. Evans, merchant. Hosts are Kelly and Ward Prine.
- 616 S. Seventh St., the Wickham House, built for O.P. Wickham House, in 1882, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Host is Lloyd Menard
- 360 Oakland Ave., the McKesson House, purchased by Oliver and Mary McKesson in 1888. Hosts are Craig and Susan Seamands.
- 137 S. Third St., the Folsom House, built in 1856 for pioneer newspaper man Jeremiah Folsom. Hosts are Patrick and Mary Ryan.
- 125 S. Third St., the Everest House, built in 1908, the boyhood home of two brothers (Frank F. and George Folsom Everest) who became Generals. Hosts are Gary Lopez and James K. Kieffer, Jr.
The evening will begin with a 6 p.m. reception at the Jennings House, 201 S. Third St., built in 1902 for Dr. Henry B. Jennings. Hosts are Suzanne and Michael Winter, who will also provide appetizers and musical entertainment. Dining locations will be revealed during the reception.
Cost for the evening is $75 per person or $95 to request a specific home. Group seating is available as space allows. Checks payable to Preserve Council Bluffs may be sent to Patricia Murphy, 333 Willow Ave., Council Bluffs, IA 51503.
For more information, please contact Patricia at (712) 322-2016 or Wayne at (712) 323-2424.
Those interested in coming should call first before sending a reservation to see if space is still available.
Proceeds will be used to promote preservation in Council Bluffs.
Article in the Daily Nonpareil, March 30, 2014