Decorating Committee Addresses Mrs. Sherman 1975

(Affectionately Sara, to many DMWC members, as the original hostess of our clubhouse.  Sara Moulton was born in 1837.  Hoyt Sherman established himself in Des Moines by 1848, but returned to Ohio to marry Sara on Christmas Day 1855.  They raised 5 children:  Frank, Adelina, Charles, Arthur and Helen. Records show her active in civic affairs. The family moved to Hoyt Sherman Place in 1877. Her sister, Bina Lunt Wyman, remembered how proud she was of her home; however, she only enjoyed HSP for ten years. Sara died in the SE Chamber March 1887. Hoyt remained a resident until his death in the NW Chamber at the age of 77, January 25, 1904.)

Excerpts from their letter dated September 25, 1975:

My dear Mrs. Sherman,

            For ages I have intended to write to say how much we women are enjoying your gracious old Victorian home.  Just think in two years it will be 100 years old.  Still very elegant and beautiful.  You and Hoyt surely loved it as we do.  Over the years its beauty has been enhanced by the many valuable objects of art, paintings, accessories, pieces of furniture, etc. given to us. 

            Overall plans include some redecorating each year-it’s so expensive:  This year among other things, the drapery in the dining room is being replaced and the 14 side chair seats will get new covers.  Recently while cleaning up in the attic, we found a broken one so plan to have it repaired. Isn’t amazing?  We are still using the same dining room furniture, which you used.

            I think you will be proud to know that Hoyt Sherman Place has been considered a museum for a long time and our Des Moines Women’s Club is proud to maintain it, use it as a clubhouse, and keep the art collection open to the public.  Were your taxes high?  Ours are terrific and just keep going up! Any contribution we can deduct from our personal tax report is help!

            I often sit and daydream-trying to imagine what life was like when you were here-I just really hope that we will always keep the warm, friendly atmosphere which I’ll bet existed then.

                                                                                    Lovingly,

                                                                                    Interior Decorating Committee

P.S. Can angels read?