Aug-Sep-Oct 2019 Newsletter
From Seed to Community with Sprouting Minds
An exciting collaboration between Hauberg Estate and Sprouting Minds will bring an educational program for school children to the historic Terraced Garden. The restoration of the 3-acre terraced fruit and vegetable garden will be used to teach local students about organic farming, gardening, ecology, nutrition and food development through hands-on instruction. From 1910 to 1942, the Terraced Garden provided tons of food for area families. Volunteer projects are currently underway to clear the area of trees and brush in preparation for planting in the Spring. The Sprouting Minds curriculum offers students the opportunity to not only learn about where their food comes from, it encourages healthy food choices learned today, to become healthy lifestyles in the future.
Food grown through the program will go to the student’s school cafeteria, with anything extra being donated to local homeless shelters and food pantries. This is another example of how the Hauberg Estate is engaging groups of all ages to benefit the community.
The Director’s Desk
Welcome to Hauberg Estate. There’s always something happening around here and the next few months are no exception. As we work to restore the Terraced Garden to its original design and purpose, we are partnering with Sprouting Minds in developing this land to benefit the community with fresh fruits and vegetables and education classes for students. John and Susanne Hauberg were way ahead of their time in understanding the importance of food security and shared the nutritious food grown in the garden with the community. You can learn more about it in the Historical Perspective article. “Tunes at the Tulip” takes place from 7p to 10p on the 4th Friday of each month with talented, local musicians performing. On August 23rd we will be featuring Freddy Allen on piano. A $5 donation is suggested.
Take a look at our Calendar of Events. There’s everything from volunteer activities in the Gardens, to Tipsy Art, docent tours and a spooky celebration. Check our Facebook page at Friends of Hauberg Civic Center or website at haubergcenter.org for the latest updates. I look forward to seeing you soon! -- Deb Kuntzi
Around the Gardens The Hauberg Landscape Restoration
One of the most fun and exciting things at Hauberg is getting to work in the gardens. The gardens come with a wonderful pedigree, design, and history. Jens Jensen, the father of American Landscape architecture, designed the gardens in 1909, but only 35 of his designs exist in their complete form. We have tons of pictures and full landscape plans that make a restoration plan sound easy but that is not always the case. Some of the original plants selected for the garden have turned out to be highly invasive such as Barberry (Berberis vulgaris) or Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia). It’s very easy to find these plants but should we plant them back given how hard they can be to control later. Another issue is cultivar selection, back in 1910, Jens Jensen had much fewer options. On his plans he did not often put cultivar names, so we try to find varieties from around that time.
Today we don’t have the gardening staff that Mrs. Hauberg had and some of the older varieties can grow to be monsters in size. Around the main house were foundations plantings of Hydrangea and forsythia all very nice plantings. When you plant the correct shrub under the window, but you know it wants to be 10 feet high, why not plant a modern dwarf cultivar that you don’t have to trim. We need to be smart about the period and about a restoration that is easier to manage, because we all know Mrs. Hauberg’s gardener is not going to do it.
An Affair to Remember Rentals and Celebrations at the Hauberg Estate
Most folks already know that weddings and receptions at the Hauberg Estate are amazing. But did you know that the Estate is a perfect setting for other occasions – parties, from birthday to showers; a celebration of life; family gatherings; reunions; and business meetings. Book your company Christmas party soon. Dates can fill-up quickly. Hauberg Estate may be booked any time of the year. The unique historical details and layout of the property lend an intimate feel to social gatherings and create a stunning backdrop for memorable photos. We think you’ll be thrilled with the quality of our rentals and our competitive pricing. Be sure to book in plenty of time to reserve your preferred date. Call today for more information or an appointment at 563-373-5080.
An Historical Perspective: The Children's Gardens
Although the Hauberg family employed gardeners on their estate, they nevertheless supported Children’s Gardens, both at Susanne’s West End Settlement and elsewhere, notably between 4th & 5th Avenues on 24th Street. In 1915, the Argus highlighted the productivity of these gardens. On 24th Street, Boy Scouts and John Hauberg’s Sunday School Fife and Drum corps prepared the ground, then sixty-two children worked it all summer. At the West End Settlement, 75 children were each given a plot of ground to raise radishes, beans, peas, lettuce, chard, cabbage, beets, turnips, eggplants, tomatoes, peppers, squash, pumpkins, sweet corn and flowers, which they could take home or sell.
The Hauberg’s encouraged and supported additional children’s gardens to grow healthy food and develop character and good citizenship.
“Engaging the Community, the Past, the Present and the Future.”
As a Friend of Hauberg, your support allows us to continue the legacy of history and culture at the Hauberg Estate, Mansion and Gardens, as well as, contributing to community involvement and educational efforts. Just as the Hauberg family engaged the community through their many philanthropic activities, area families now come to the Hauberg to enjoy time with their own families. Memberships have provided needed resources that aid in restoring the estate. Please stay tuned to our newsletter for more information as it comes. To become a member of Friends of Hauberg please contact the membership committee at: membership@haubergcenter.org
Docent Tours August through October Every Friday at 1pm
We love to share the Hauberg Estate, Mansion and Gardens! We offer regular tours each Friday at 1 pm led by a trained volunteer docent. Tours last about an hour and can be customized for special interests. The cost is $10. Group rates, customized tours and times can be arranged. Occasionally, a Friday tour may be cancelled because of a large event at the Estate. Therefore we ask that you confirm even scheduled tours by a quick phone call to 563-373-5080.
The Magnificent Mansion
It's July and painting should have started months ago. With all the rain, we had to let things dry out. We are painting these beautiful architectural tulips. Initially, we thought they were cast iron, but after scraping the paint off one of them, we learned they are all hand carved limestone. Unfortunately, they were painted, so we took a piece of limestone to the paint store and had them match a color so it would look like natural stone. One really never appreciates the craftsmanship until you are up close and personal with a paintbrush. They truly are masterpieces! Our plan is to complete the scraping and painting of the windows on the front of the mansion this year. If you have experience with painting and would like to help, we certainly would appreciate it. You can contact me at director@haubergcenter.org or call 309-373-5080.