Nov-Dec 2019 Newsletter

Winter In Bloom – Feature Article

The ever-popular annual Winter In Bloom event returns to the Hauberg Estate on December 1st, 2019, from Noon to 5pm. The event is our thank you to the community and open to the public at no charge. The mansion will be decorated with spectacular trees, yards of garland and sparkling from floor to ceiling. Dozens of volunteers work to make Winter In Bloom a must-see holiday event in the Quad Cities.

The warm and inviting estate makes this a perfect place for photos and fun.  You won’t want to miss the horse and carriage ride around the park. The kids will enjoy activities just for them, including a visit from Santa. Delicious holiday cookies and cocoa will be served and you can sit back and relax as you listen to the music of the season. A Cash Bar will also be open for some holiday cheer.

The Director’s Desk

It is my privilege to announce the 2019 Landmark Illinois’ Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Preservation Awards for Advocacy has been presented to the Friends of Hauberg Civic Center Foundation. The award ceremony was held October 18th in Chicago at the Chicago Cultural Center. The community rallied behind saving the historic property and fought to preserve the mansion and gardens. What was once in serious decline is now a successful public private partnership and a thriving gathering place in Rock Island. Congratulations to our great community of Friends.

November is full of activities, from the Friends of Hauberg Annual Meeting to celebrating the 150 birthday of John Hauberg. We’re excited to be introducing our first Amateur Photographer’s Day and bringing back the popular Tipsy Art!

The annual Winter In Bloom extravaganza will take place on December 1, from noon to 5pm. You won’t want to miss the beautifully decorated mansion, the horse and carriage rides, Santa and much more. It’s our way of saying thank you to all of you for your ongoing support of the Hauberg Estate.

I look forward to celebrating the holidays with you at the Hauberg Estate.

-- Deb Kuntzi

Around the Gardens

Activities around the Hauberg Estate gardens have been very productive this year.  The Meadow clearing now offers a lovely view down the hill. The asphalt has been removed from the original driving path exposing the red brick pathway towaed the bridge. As you enjoy walking the path into the woods you’ll see work is currently underway to restore the ponds. The original Jens Jensen Prairie Style landscape design is coming to life.

The American Horticulture Society recently accepted the Hauberg Estate Gardens into their Reciprocal Admissions Program.  A benefit for the Friends of Hauberg members is the free admission to 320 public gardens and arboreta. The Hauberg Estate is honored to be accepted into this program by this longstanding national gardening organization.

Magnificent Events at the Mansion
The Magnificent Mansion – Corporate & Private Rentals

It’s the time of year to book your business and private holiday parties. The mansion at the Hauberg Estate will be at its finest and ready to greet your guests for a memorable celebration. You’ll find the venue rates competitive and the service and coordination exceptional. The mansion offers the flexibility and privacy of a beautifully decorated home.

Employees have raved about the holiday events held at the Hauberg Estate. From small intimate dinners to parties of up to 100 people, from elegant to relaxed, our team can assist you with the style just right for you.

Be sure to book in plenty of time so we can reserve your preferred date. Let us schedule a tour of the mansion and consultation so you can see for yourself, all the Hauberg Estate can offer. Contact us today to get started planning your holiday event. Email: director@haubergestate.org or call 309-373-5080.

John Henry Hauberg Legacy – An Historical Perspective

On this the 150th birthday of John Henry Hauberg, we recognize the contributions this farm boy turned lawyer, historian, photographer and philanthropist made to the Rock Island community. 

John met his bride, Suzanne Denkmann, when both were serving on the board of the orphanage, Bethany Home.  Supporting the YMCA and YWCA the couple funded buildings and donated land for camps for both. He taught nondenominational Sunday School spawning a boy’s “Fife and Drum Corp”, two- week long youth “hikes” and the Black Hawk Hiking Club.

As a young man he purchased a mail order camera and began documenting his life and interests in thousands of photographs. A love of history led him to photograph and document the lives of early settlers. He was a founder of the Rock Island County Historical Society and served as President of the Illinois Historical Society.

His impassioned plea before the Illinois legislature resulted in the designation of Black Hawk Park as a state park.  An authority on local Indian lore, the donation of his collection of artifacts created the Hauberg Indian Museum.

His legacy lives on in the example he set for us all: civic involvement pays ongoing dividends beyond measure.

Friends of Hauberg Annual Meeting

Donors and Volunteers at the Hauberg Estate are more than the funds they contribute or the areas in which they lend a hand. It’s the shared interest in the history and culture the mansion and gardens bring to the community. Naming the organization Friends of Hauberg brought a passion and mission to the estate.

As a Friend of Hauberg, you’re “Building communities by joining Friends.”

 The Friends of Hauberg Civic Center Foundation will be holding the Annual Meeting on November 20, 2019 at 6:30pm in the mansion at 1300 24th Street, Rock Island, IL 61201. Please join us at the Friendship Table if you are looking to renew, gift or become a new Friend of Hauberg.