I admit that I am not a devoted or skilled user of social media, but there is a part of me that wishes that iPhones and Snapchat would have existed in the early 1920s.

If it did, we might have a more complete photo album of the interior of the Hormel family home.

From the four photos we do have we can see that the family enjoyed an abundance of furniture and artwork and a profusion of florals. One photo shows the mantle in the library adorned with ferns, feathers and flowers with moose antlers hanging proudly above. What resembles a bear skin rug can be seen covering the tile flooring in front of the fireplace.

With the exception of the rug, we have recreated this scene in an effort to return the home to the tastes of George and Lillian.

The Hormels donated their furnished home to the YWCA in 1927 so their decorating style influenced all who visited during the early years when the YWCA was in the home.

In the YWCA Notes section of an August 1930, Austin Daily Herald, readers were given a glimpse into what the numerous summertime guests saw during their visit.

“Summer tourists are frequent visitors these days at the YWCA. On the register are names of people from Oregon, Virginia, Nebraska, and the Dakotas. All are interested in being shown through the house, and the following unusual facts about the furnishings may interest the town people as well. The rug in the large fifteen by thirty west room was made to order in Scotland. The woodwork is unusual, that of the hall is curly birch, the west room is solid mahogany, and the east room is quarter sawed oak. The library wall covering is Japanese grass cloth. That of the large west room is satin damask, the pattern of which is duplicated in the dark red Scottish Chenille rug on the floor.”

The summer of 2016 has also welcomed guests from far and wide into the Hormel family home.  Visitors from places like Hawaii, Ohio, New York, Colorado, Arizona, Illinois and even Canada have left here knowing more about the Hormels and about our community.

You, as members of this community, should know that when people drive through Austin and visit attractions, they notice the positive features.  We hear things like “this is such a cute town” and “everyone is so nice.”

They are seeing the good, and it is a reminder to me to always do the same. I should figure out how to Snapchat those things.

History Happy Hour

5:30 p.m. social; 6 p.m. presentation, Sept. 12, 2016

Stories of Veterans of Wars of the Past, presented by Journalist Al Zdon. Mr. Zdon has collected oral histories from MN Vets which has resulted in the publication of two books on the topic. Free for members of the HHH, Mower County Historical Society and the Friends of the Library. $5 for non-members

Garden Happy Hour featuring JCA

(Jamie Braaten and Cody Yost)

5 to 7 p.m. Free event Sept. 15

Cash bar and light snacks available

Garden Happy Hour featuring Alonzo Steel

5 to 7 p.m. Free event, Sept. 16

Cash bar and light snacks available