The Hormel Historic Home collection includes antiques, documents, and Hormel family artifacts that are important to share with the community. There is a great deal that goes into documenting, handling, storing, and displaying these items, and I am about to learn more about the best practices for doing so. 
 
I am proud to announce that the HHH is one of 80 institutions from across the country selected to participate in the Collections Assessment for Preservation (CAP) program.  We are the recipient of a $7,400 federal grant to complete the process which will benefit the operation of the HHH as well as all who visit.
 
CAP helps museums improve the care of their collections by providing support for a conservation assessment of the museum’s collections and buildings. The HHH will work with a team of preservation professionals to identify preventive conservation priorities. The final assessment report will help the museum prioritize its collections care efforts in the coming years.
 
I have contracted with a Collections Assessor and a Building Assessor from the Twin Cities to come to Austin in July and study our facility and help us be better stewards of the items we hold dear.  For instance, we recently were given ceremonial swords that once belonged to George and Jay Hormel when they were active in the Masonic Lodge.  What is the best way to handle and display a sword, I ask you?
 
The Hormel Historic Home is committed to preserving and sharing the Hormel family history.  By participating in the CAP program we will be better equipped to serve our mission and to keep our precious items safely on display or in storage for years to come.
 
The CAP program is administered by FAIC, the Foundation of the American Institute for Conservation of Historic & Artistic Works, through a cooperative agreement with the Institute of Museum and Library Services, a federal grant making agency that supports museums and libraries.  Tiffani Emig, Programs Director for FAIC said “Simply by applying for the CAP program, the Hormel Historic Home has shown a commitment to preserving cultural heritage.”
 
We are grateful for the opportunity to participate and improve our practices.  And in case you are curious, I will tell you more about the swords in coming weeks.

-Holly

Holly Johnson
Executive Director
Hormel Historic Home

Upcoming Events:
 
Sunday, July 1
Peace Garden Concert
Austin Community Jazz Band
FREE ~ 6:30
An annual tradition led by Director, Brian Koser.

In honor of Father’s Day I share a glimpse into the character of John George Hormel, George A. Hormel’s beloved father. George was very influenced by his father, and his death in 1896 came as a shock and blow to George as he had found great comfort in having him in Austin.  George wrote of how his father’s death impacted the family.
 
“Nothing I had ever faced before required so much fortitude. The world had become an indescribably lonely place. While he lived, there had always been a warm flowing sympathy, a well of inspiration ready and waiting for each one of us to partake. And none of us, I think, until the day he wasn’t there, had ever realized how often we had gone to him for understanding and help.”
 
Following this loss, George continued to be motivated by the character he saw reflected in the life of his father.  His obituary, from the May 7, 1896 Austin Register, described a man who was cherished by his family and all those around him.
 
“John George Hormel was born in Germany, near Frankfort on the Main, July 24, 1830. At four years of age he came with his parents to Buffalo, New York… In 1865 he removed with his wife and four children to Toledo, Ohio, where he engaged in the tannery business under the firm name of Hormel and Heyer, until 1890, when he retired. But his energetic spirit chaffed under severance from business interests, and in July 1895, at the urgent solicitation of his family, he removed to Austin, Minnesota, that he might enjoy the activity of business with his sons without bearing its cares and responsibilities.

Here he was so renewed in heath and strength that it seemed as if his best and happiest years were yet before him, when he should see the fruits of his life long consecration to home and family and God.

But one week ago Wednesday night, April 29, he was taken with severe chills, followed by la Grippe and pneumonia. From this he sank rapidly, and Wednesday morning quietly breathed his last, at 5:30, surrounded by most of his family.

Mr. Hormel was a life-long member of the German Reformed Church, an earnest, consistent Christian. His disposition was a peculiarly happy one -- a blending of gentleness and firmness, contentment and ambition. In business he was both conservative and energetic. In his home he was remarkable for his ingenious ability of entering into and appreciating the natural endowments of each one of his children, so as to encourage and develop each along their own chosen line of life work. No one was constrained or discouraged but each was trained regardless of expense or self-sacrifice for whatever vocation they wished to enter.”


Wishing you all a day of celebration of those who have made or continue to make an impact on your life.

Between the lilac bushes and red bud tree we can hardly see into the garden from our window any longer.  Before their growth spurt we could see tulips emerging and hostas and daylilies make their first appearance.  Our rhododendron and tulip blossoms may be gone but now the lilies and clematis are in full bloom and summer is everywhere. 
 
We know that Lillian Hormel was an avid gardener who took great pride in her landscapes.  In 1909 she proved her skill with a special bloom, but in sharing her gift with a neighbor, neglected to pay attention to one small detail.
 
From the Austin Daily Herald, August 2, 1909:
“Mrs. Geo. A. Hormel has a heliotrope blooming in a vase in the front yard of her home that is the envy of all lovers of beautiful flowers.  Among those who admire this particular plant was [Mrs.] Frank I. Crane who also has vases on her lawn filled with plants.  Those raised by Mrs. Hormel grow with the luxuriance of plants in the tropics while Mrs. Crane’s, though fine, are small in comparison.  The other day Mrs. Crane called on Mrs. Hormel to find out what she did to make her plants so luxuriant.  ‘Why, I have a commercial fertilizer mixed with the soil before the plants were put in,’ said Mrs. Hormel.  ‘But it will work nearly as well if you sprinkled over the plants now.”  Then Mrs. Crane wanted to know where she could get some of the fertilizer.  Mrs. Hormel said she would give her some.  They went to the barn and from a sack Mrs. Crane took enough to make her plants grow a foot a day.  She sprinkled it in the vases and then each day watched for the wonderful growth to take place.  But it didn’t take place.
 
A few days later Mr. Hormel decided to sprinkle fertilizer on the lawn to give it a rich blue-green color.  He couldn’t find any and he reported to Mrs. Hormel.  ‘Oh, yes, there’s lot of it in the barn,’ she answered.  ‘Come and show me,’ said George.  Together they were in the barn and Mrs. Hormel emphatically pointed to the sack from which Mrs. Crane had taken the fertilizer.  ‘That!’  Exclaimed George.  ‘That’s horse feed.’  Mr. Hormel would not be bribed and so the story got out.”
 
For those who don’t know, a heliotrope is a traditional annual with loose, flat heads of intensely fragrant, deep lavender blooms. Although you won’t find them in the Hormel Historic Home Peace Garden today, you are invited to stop by and see what is blooming-maybe to the envy of our neighbors…
 
Upcoming Events:
Friday, June 15
Peace Garden Concert-FREE
JCA-Jamie Braaten and Cody Yost Acoustic
5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Bring a chair and enjoy music in the lovely peace garden.  Rain or shine.
Beverages will be available for purchase.
 
Tuesday, June 19
Tricia and the Toonies-The Happy Days Show
FREE
2:30 p.m. Indoor show specifically designed for children, but all are welcome
6:30 Outdoor show
 

It won’t be long before music is filling the Hormel Historic Home Peace Garden.  In fact, the way the sound bounces off the side of the house, the music often fills more of downtown than just the garden.  And, if the weather threatens us, the show will go on and music will fill the event center.  We are grateful to be able to offer musical events for the community to enjoy.  They bring people together with the goal to entertain and enrich people’s lives. 

I like how LZ Granderson, American journalist, describes the experience of live music.  “Complete strangers can stand silent next to each other in an elevator and not even look each other in the eye. But at a concert, those same strangers could find themselves dancing and singing together like best friends. That's the power of music.”
Mark your calendars to attend the following events and turn a stranger into a friend.  All are free with the exception of the instrument making workshop for children on July 17.

Friday, June 15 - Summer Music Kick Off Happy Hour with JCA (Jamie Braaten and Cody Yost, formerly of SEEDS)
5-7 p.m. Local favorite in an acoustic show featuring country and rock favorites as well as some fresh originals.

Tuesday, June 19  Tricia and The Toonies- The Happy Days Show 
2:30 p.m. Koncert for Kids inside the event center.  Followed by cookies sponsored by the Spam Museum.  6:30 p.m. Peace Garden Concert Music that brings all ages together in fun and dancing with great music and laughter.  Think the Shimmy, the Twist, the Swim and the Pony.

Sunday, July 1
The Austin Community Jazz Band 6:30 p.m.  Join us for classic jazz and fun arrangements performed by local musicians.

Tuesday, July 10
Todd Menton 6:30 p.m.  Edgy Celtic/eclectic folk and original music.  Featured instruments will be the Bodhron (The Irish Drum), Mandolin and The Tin Whistle. 

Tuesday, July 17
Jack & Kitty  Emmy Award winning duo specializing in Organic Vaudeville and Jug Band Folk.  10:30 a.m. Instrument Building for preschool through elementary aged kids (limit 30). Must pre-register through the Hormel Historic Home.  $3 per child for HHH members, $5 for non-members 2:30 Sounds So Sweet! The History of American Jug Band Music of the ‘30s A concert of Americana jug band music of the 1930s. 6:30 p.m. Peace Garden Concert – Jack & Kitty will perform for all ages to enjoy.

Tuesday, July 24
History of Blues with Joey Leone 6:30 p.m. Enjoy an assortment of blues, from Pre-War to Texas to Chicago Electric Style Blues, as well as original blues compositions.

Friday, August 3
Dang Ol’ Tri’ole 6:30 p.m. Four-part vocal harmonies, tight instrumental interplay, high-energy performances, and a great time for all generations. Genres include Traditional Folk, Progressive Rock, Salsa, and Blues.

Tuesday, August 14
Driven By Rhythm 6:30 p.m.  Rochester-based band that has been pleasing audiences around SE Minnesota with classics from the 60's through the 80's.

Take a moment to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for all things history at the Hormel Historic Home! 

We hope you were able to find time to relax and spend time doing the things that rejuvenate your spirit last weekend.  We also hope you paused to remember all those who have served our country through military service.  You may already be in that spirit if you were able to visit the Traveling Vietnam Wall Memorial recently at the Fairgrounds.  What a great honor for Austin to have hosted that special reminder of a part of our nation’s history. 
 
Join us for another event that will focus on those from Mower County whose legacies include service in a variety of military branches.
 
The Hormel Historic Home and the Mower County Historical Society have partnered to offer another tour of Oakwood Cemetery on Sunday, June 3.  This tour will focus on the lives of soldiers and will feature stories dating from the Civil War through Vietnam.  Jaimie Timm, curator at the MCHS, will lead groups of up to 15 people on an hour long journey through the sometimes tragic, but always inspiring, lives of our Mower County heroes.
 
According to Timm, she will highlight lives such as that of Norman Lee Hinkle of Austin.  Hinkle was the 8th Mower County soldier to die in Vietnam.  A 1966 graduate of AHS, he was a paratrooper with the 101st Airborne.   He took basic training in Fort Leonard Wood, MO and advanced training at Fort Ord, CA followed by paratrooper training in Fort Benning, GA.  He died on a Navy hospital ship while undergoing surgery to remove shrapnel in 1968.
 
Another story like that of Donald Gehling from Grand Meadow will offer a taste of what some soldiers felt during their service.  In a letter home in 1967 he wrote, “You ask if I was wondering about the world.  Well, frankly I am.  I am over here with many other guys fighting for what we believe in and the folks back home don’t seem to care.” 
 
We have written before of George Hormel’s connection to military efforts of the past.  From the Civil War (Uncles Herman and Henry Decker), to the Spanish American War (brother Ben Hormel and cousin Jay Decker), to WWI (son Jay), George’s family did their part in preserving the freedoms of America.  Both George and Jay had great respect for men who participated in military service and supported them through holding jobs during deployment and specifically recruiting those who had returned home from service.
 
We hope you will join us for this moving tour to honor our veterans.  Space is limited so please register at the HHH or online at https://www.hormelhistorichome.org/calendartickets.html.

Upcoming Events:
 
Sunday, June 3
Oakwood Cemetery Tour, Mower County Soldier Stories
Led by Jaimie Timm of the Mower County Historical Society
3:30 or 5:30 p.m.; 60 minute tour
Cost is $8 for members of the HHH or Historical Society and $10 for nonmembers
Limited to 15 per tour.  Tickets available at www.hormelhistorichome.org/calendar
Cost is $8 for members of the HHH or Historical Society and $10 for nonmembers
Limited to 15 per tour.  Tickets available at www.hormelhistorichome.org/calendar

Monday, June 4
ASD Parent/Caregiver Network Event
Securing the Future for Persons with Disabilities
Free, open to the public
6-8:30pm
Light supper provided.  RSVP: 507-433-4243 or autism@hormelhistorichome.org
Will your child be able to make their own health, educational, and financial decisions when they turn 18?  If no, are you prepared for that?
Do you have questions about how to become your child's legal guardian in order to continue to make decisions in these key areas?
Would you like to learn about ways to provide financially for your special needs child while protecting their government benefits?
Presented by: Roger Strege and Joe Kukla