Apr – Jun 2020 News Letter
An Affair To Remember
If you’re looking for a venue to provide long-lasting memories, look no further than the Hauberg Estate. The historic mansion and gardens create a beautiful backdrop for weddings and receptions, birthday parties, graduation celebrations, family gatherings, business meetings, dinners, and much more.
The Mansion layout allows for groups of up to 150 people on the main floor. Additional guests can be accommodated in an open house style event. Garden and outdoor capacity is unlimited depending on the type of event. Our professional staff is available to meet your needs to execute your vision and guide you through the planning process.
Ambiance, competitive pricing, many amenities, comfort and privacy all make your event an affair to remember. For more information, or to book your event at the Hauberg Estate, call 309-283-5070. The Venue Rental section on our website also provides additional information at: www.haubergestate.com.
Director’s Desk
Springtime at the Hauberg Estate usually brings a flurry of activity as we all come out to enjoy the weather and begin new projects throughout the mansion and gardens. With the onset of the COVID-19 virus, we have closed the Estate until April 13th to discourage the spread of the virus in our community. This necessary action will definitely affect the operation of the estate. Now would be a perfect time to donate or become a Friend of Hauberg to offset the loss of revenue.
The Friends of Hauberg Civic Center Foundation’s work to restore and preserve the estate wouldn’t be possible without the support of donations, grants and volunteers. Please join us as we thank and recognize them on our website pages Grants and Major Donors and the Awards and Recognition page.
It’s been “full steam ahead” to get the Carriage House ready for STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) classes here are the Hauberg. Watch for details for an upcoming STEAM Open House shortly after the estate reopens.
We are excited to announce the launch of a Corporate Partners program to include and involve the business community in the activities here at the Estate. If you would like your business to be included, I’d love to talk with you directly about how we can partner to best serve our community. You can reach me at 309-373-5080 or director@haubergestate.org.
To learn more about these and other activities take a look at our FaceBook page: Friends of Hauberg Civic Center, or our website: www.haubergestate.org to keep up-to-date on what’s happening at the Hauberg Estate. Welcome to Spring 2020 at the Hauberg Estate. Please stay safe and healthy.
-- Deb Kuntzi
Around the Gardens
Activities are already underway for the rebuilding of the lower Pond control system along with tree clearing of the Terraced Garden and Meadow. A recent “cleanup” day with local college students got us off to a good start, with more cleanup days to come.
Come to the Hauberg Estate and lend your helping hands to our little patch of earth while enjoying our famous Jens Jensen design! In celebration of Jens Jensen Day on April 25th, Friends of Hauberg will have two viewings of Jensen’s The Living Green, followed by guided tours of the Jensen landscape. There are only 30 existing gardens and parks designed by Jens Jensen still in existence, so we are extremely fortunate to have one at the Hauberg Estate. We will be planting flowers and trees and tidying-up the grounds. Children will enjoy nature-themed crafts and activities. Bring your own picnic lunch and get ready to have fun getting dirty!
Restoring the Magnificent Mansion
The phase one kitchen restoration is making great progress. The wood floor in the hallway has been refinished and is just beautiful. The old flooring has been removed in the back entry and cooking areas. The back entry exposed original tile for preservation and the kitchen will have vintage style linoleum replacement. Removing old, non-original wallpaper can be a tough job, but the Friends of Hauberg volunteers meet the challenge with a smile. Paper is removed, walls scraped and ready for custom-mixed heritage paint to be applied.
With phase one almost complete, the return to original design is bringing the area back to life. Still to come for the restoration is the kitchen sink replacement and glass installed in cabinet doors. Restoring and preserving the historic Hauberg Mansion is truly a labor of love. You’re invited to stop by and see for yourself the results of the floor and wall kitchen restoration. We think you’ll be impressed with the beauty and craftsmanship we’ve achieved.
An important announcement regarding the temporary closing of the Hauberg Estate, Mansion and Gardens.
The Hauberg Estate will be closed until April 13th in response to the guidelines outlined to stem the spread of COVID-19. It will be assessed at that time whether it is safe to re-open.
Jens Jensen Day, STEAM Open House and Day of Friendship are tentatively scheduled for April 25th pending the release of mandatory health guidelines.
Please watch our FaceBook page and Website for updates.
Roses for Susanne, Prairie Rose bushes can be purchased for $30.00 a bush to help restore the formal rose garden at the Hauberg Estate.
You can help restore the Jens Jensen landscape by purchasing bulbs to be planted at the Hauberg Estate for $10.00. For details see the Roses for Susanne page on our website at: www.haubergestate.org.
An Historical Perspective
Susanne Hauberg Strong Supporter of the YWCA
Rock Island’s YWCA opened its doors on January 1, 1917, on the 4th floor of the Central Bank and Trust Building. Susanne Denkmann Hauberg was instrumental in organizing and sustaining the YWCA and was the president for the first nine years. The $1.00 a year membership included gymnastic work at Rock Island High School, swim classes at Augustana College, Bible classes, a reading room, a good home cooked meal furnished at the least possible cost, access to an employment bureau, a sewing machine and electric iron, tennis courts and many other amenities and benefits. In 1920, Camp Archie Allen, a summer sleep-away camp for girls located along the Mississippi river, opened on land donated by the Hauberg’s.
After Susanne’s death, John and the children donated $200,000 to build a new YWCA building at 3rd Ave and 16th Street in Rock Island. The building, still in use today, was named in her honor. The activities of the YWCA, providing support to woman, families and youth, honor her legacy.
Friends of Hauberg
The Friends of Hauberg Civic Center Foundation’s preservation of the Hauberg Estate creates opportunities for visitors to experience local history, architecture, gardens and our community. Through shared attitudes, interests and goals, a diverse social community shares experiences and interactions.
As a friend of Hauberg Civic Center Foundation you not only enjoy the benefits of the donation level you select, you’re supporting the legacy of history, culture and preservation at the Hauberg Estate, Mansion and Gardens.