The Hormel Historic Home was the recent recipient of a gift of trees and labor from the Spruce Up Austin organization.

In honor of the 125th anniversary of the founding of the Hormel Company, Spruce Up, chose to plant three trees on our property, and we are very grateful for their generosity. Their volunteers also helped spread of mulch, all in an effort to honor the Hormel family and beautify the property.

As you may remember me writing, Mrs. Hormel was an avid gardener. Her love of flowers and nature were widely recognized, but unfortunately I have not come across any photos of the Hormel residence showing any of her talent. Based on an article from 1928, we know that the couple cared for their property and made it into a sort of sanctuary filled with graceful fir trees, beautiful flowering shrubs, and other ornamental trees.

Following the couple’s move to California and the donation of their home to the YWCA, we know they still wanted the landscaping to be cared for.  In May of 1928, Mr. S.D. Catherwood, close friend and legal advisor to George Hormel, sent the following letter to Mrs. J.G.W. Havens, then president of the YWCA. The letter refers to the lot of green space between the YWCA and the Presbyterian Church on the east side of the property.

“The purpose of this letter is to inquire whether the management of the YWCA would be willing to undertake the care of the property, keeping the lawn trimmed and neat and keeping the shrubbery and hedge in an attractive condition, for the privilege of making use of the property in conjunction with the YWCA yard at the east side of the house? If you could arrange with your present caretaker to look after this lot in connection with the rest of the yard, arrangements would be made with Mr. Hormel to have the holes filled and nicely graded and put in first class condition.”

Within a few days of the letter referenced above, work had already begun on the lot. Another letter mentioned the hedge being restored to a previous condition and the re-seeding of the grass. The Hormels wanted their property to retain its well-kept appearance, and they trusted the YWCA with that task. I know they would continue to be pleased with the current state of the property and even more so now that Spruce Up has added to the landscape.

 History Happy Hour: Antiques Evaluations by Mark F. Moran

5:30 p.m. social, 6 p.m. presentation, June 13

Guests can bring one item for Mr. Moran to evaluate. Some exclusions do apply. Must pre-register by calling the HHH 507-433-4243. Free to members of the HHH, The Mower County Historical Society, or the Friends of the Library.  $5 for non-members. Light refreshments included. Cash bar available.