A LETTER FROM THE ExECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Castle watch
A Publication for Members of Joslyn Castle
Spring 2013
A letter from the Executive Director
As I write this letter, I am just wrapping up my sixth month as the new
cave to life in our window display for the holidays. Our Friends of
executive director of the Joslyn Castle Trust. I am thrilled to be a part
Joslyn Castle Holiday Open House was an evening of great fun that
of the Castle at this exciting time and to be building on the work of my
we hope will be reprised next year. We hosted the second annual
predecessor and of many wonderful volunteers, board members, and
Thanksgiving morning Turkey Trot 5K walk/run at Midtown Crossing,
staff that have brought the Castle to its present position through years
which was one of my favorite events thus far!
of dedicated and passionate work. Every day, as I see the Castle in
all of its glory and many moods, I can also see the glimpses of its
incredible potential and exciting future.
Joslyn Castle staff attended, manned a booth, and gave two
presentations at the Restore Omaha Conference. We have begun the
complex and immense job of putting on a world class 2013 Designer
The Staff, Board, Supporters, and Volunteers who make the Castle
Showhouse with the Nebraska/Iowa Chapter of the American Society
work every day are unparalleled. Professional, committed, and
of Interior Designers that will open the beginning of May. We are well
innovative, they have created the potential that is so evident at the
under way planning the next Joslyn Castle Literary Festival, Jazz Age
Castle and they will be the ones who will transform this potential into a
at the Castle: F. Scott Fitzgerald, and the next Joslyn Castle Classic
reality in the coming years. To them, I am already very grateful.
Car Show for late summer.
These first months for me have been busy! To take up the reigns
Despite the crazy schedule that all this programming created for the
of the organization and to learn and understand the rich array of
small JCT staff, we have also been able to undertake massive
programming the Castle offers has been exhilarating. From the very
reorganizations and cleaning projects in the kitchen, pantries, and
beginning, working with program planning and implementation for the
basement of the Castle and the offices and basement of the Annex
brilliant and highly acclaimed Tales of Poe performances developed by
our partners at Metro Community College’s theater department, and
the first neighborhood Halloween events for our family and friends, to
my first tentative steps into the world of the Designer Showhouse,
it has been wonderful to get to know all of the colleagues and
volunteers who make these events such great successes.
The past six months have seen two JCT trips,
one to Des Moines, and one to the Hudson
River Valley. Theatrical events have included
Brigit St. Brigit’s production of Twelfth Night, the
Joslyn Castle Players’ Ninth Annual Murder
Mystery performance of the Sleazy Lies of
Spies, written by our own Colleen Fogarty, and
the Tales of Poe. The Castle participated in the
first Miracle on Farnam project with the huge
building. More similar projects are planned.
While organizing, assessing, implementing, we have also been
thinking a great deal about the Castle, its potential, and its future
- topics of no small import. Community focus groups and a larger
board, staff, and stakeholder group have embarked on a strategic
planning journey that I hope will end with a clearer vision of why we
are preserving, restoring, and sharing the
Joslyns’ magnificent Castle and why this is
important to the community and to you. We are
truly interested in your ideas and thoughts on
these critical questions. I would love to hear
from you.
I look forward to seeing each of you on the
grounds and in the Castle this spring and
perhaps at the Smyth House, too!
contributions of Susan McMannama and Diane
Luxford to bring part of George A. Joslyn’s man
Julie A. Reilly
Table of contents
Letter from the Executive Director . . . . . Front Cover
Program News – Last Summer
Architects of Air . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Oscar Wilde Literary Festival . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2012 Classic Weekend . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Program News – Last Fall
Des Moines Day Trip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hudson River Valley Tour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tales of Poe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Halloween at the Castle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3
3
3
4
Program News – Last Winter
Brigit St. Brigit’s Twelfth Night . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Miracle on Farnam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Turkey Trot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Program News – This Spring
2013 Murder Mystery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Program News – Upcoming Programs
Calendar of Upcoming Events . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4th Annual Joslyn Castle Classic Car Show . .
2013 F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Festival . . . . .
2013 Designer Showhouse
Note from the JCT Showhouse Chair . . . .
Sneak Peek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Showhouse Dates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6
6
6
7
7
7
Joslyn Castle Renters Enjoy their Experiences . . . 8
Grounds Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Collection and Acquisitions Report . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Stephanie Mattoon, President
Linda Andersen
Ron Crampton
Catherine Demes-Maydew
ADVISORY BOARD
Tour Report/Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
David Ambrose
Gift Tree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Brad Ashford
Wish List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Doug Bisson
Membership Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back Cover
Carol Gendler
George Haecker
Annette Huff
Margie Heller
Mary Jewell
Mary Jochim
George Kleine
Tim Holland
Mike Meyer
B.J. Reed
Connie Spellman
Bryan Zimmer
Carol Lackner
David Levy
STAFF
Tim McGill
Julie Reilly, Executive Director
Sharon McGill
Susan McMannama
Dani Penke
Debra Reilly-Culver
Friends of Joslyn Castle Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
David Levy, Chair
Adam Herink
Lorraine Jeffus
Building Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Judy Alderman
Emily Lasky
Peter Marion
Mary Parrish
Amy Trenolone
page 1
Program News
—Last Summer—
Architects of Air
Preview Party
A “Wilde” Time
at the Castle
In June, the
Joslyn Castle had
the opportunity to
host the preview
party for the
Architects of Air
event in Turner
Park at Midtown
Crossing.
Guests were
invited to be the
first to visit the
installation before
it opened to the
public.
Architects of Air is a world-renowned visual experience that consists of
colorful and monumental inflatable structures through which attendees
were able to walk. The “luminaria,” as these structures are called, are
designed to generate a sense of wonder at the beauty of light and color.
This particular inflatable was called “Mirazozo” and was one of 6 luminaria
that were being showcased throughout the world. The luminaria structures
are designed by company founder, Alan Parkinson, who started
experimenting with pneumatic structures in the 1980’s in England. He
used only four colors of plastic glued together to generate this magnificent
structure that is completely lit by natural sunlight when inflated.
For the past two years, Joslyn
Castle has co-produced literary
festivals with Jill Anderson. Each
year Anderson chooses an author
whose life and works are explored
during the festival. The first year’s
authors were the fascinating
Bronte family - creators of such
indelible stories as “Jane Eyre”
and “Wuthering Heights”! Last
year, following the great success
of that festival, the dramatic and
somewhat gnarly work and life of Oscar Wilde was undertaken. This
colorful character was a springboard for 14 different exciting events.
Among these events were offerings as varied as a world-premiere
commissioned drama by nationally recognized playwright Max Sparber,
an absinthe tasting, a live fashion show, Sunday afternoon teas with live
readings of Wilde children’s stories, an art exhibit of work by women
artists inspired by the life and literature of Oscar Wilde, an evening of live
drama and panel discussion of the incarceration of Oscar Wilde, and an
Opera Omaha program of Gilbert and Sullivan’s hysterical parody of
Wilde, “Patience.”
An amazing Literary Festival is planned for 2013. See the article under
“Upcoming Events” for more details.
A crowd of about 150 attended the preview party and all of the proceeds
went to the Joslyn Castle. After the guests walked through “Mirazozo”
they could stop by Cantina Laredo in Midtown Crossing for a cocktail
buffet. Everyone who attended seemed to be in awe of this unique
structure and enjoyed the experience!
joslyn
castle
Car
Classic
A big thanks to Midtown Crossing for including the JCT in this event
through the preview party. Also, thanks go to Cantina Laredo for hosting
the cocktail party. Last, but not least, the Joslyn Castle would like to thank
the honorary chairs of this event: Amy Haddad and Steve Martin for their
help in making this event a success!
The 2012 Castle Classic
Weekend Draws Enthusiastic
Crowds for all events
At the luncheon and fashion show on Friday, July 27th, guests enjoyed
viewing Mary Mitchell’s fabulous design drawings from the 1960s and
1970s. The Music Room became a runway as Mary Anne Vaccaro
introduced local models wearing original fashions from this era.
Later that evening, guests at the Gala sported their own costumes of the
60s and 70s and had another opportunity to view and purchase Mary
Mitchell prints.
The weather was perfect all weekend and everyone had a great time.
Sunday’s Classic Car Show was a huge success. Well over 1,000 people
attended, admiring the cars, taking advantage of the food tent sponsored
by Joslyn Castle and participating in tours of the Castle.
In 2013, the Castle will sponsor the Classic Car Show on Sunday, July 28th.
A literary festival featuring F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald will kick off at this
same time, coinciding nicely with a 1920s Jazz Age theme. More
information on these events can be found in separate articles in
this newsletter.
page 2
Program News
—Last Fall—
Hudson River Valley Tour
JOSLYN CASTLE TRIP
TO DES MOINES Jan Buckingham
Sharon McGill
A delightful one day trip to three of Des Moines’ most fascinating sights
was enjoyed on September 11th by several dozen Omahans. Des Moines
is full of architectural treasures and we had time to visit three of the best.
We had requested tour guides to customize the visits to focus on art,
architecture and history and they all accommodated our needs beautifully.
The Iowa State Capitol is a Victorian masterpiece built between 1871 and
1886. The externally gilded 23 karat gold leaf dome has recently been
restored and the artwork on its ceiling inside takes your breath away.
There are so many different kinds of marble used in the interior as well as
incredible murals and art. The chambers where representatives and
senators meet are full of history including a fire almost a century ago.
I have visited the capitol often but have never been allowed to view so
many special spaces. We all loved being in the governor’s office and
seeing the reception room in its grandeur. The two-story library is beautiful
beyond belief!
It was only appropriate that following lunch we had a delightful tour of
Terrace Hill – now the governor’s mansion. A breathtaking 1869 Victorian
Mansion was once home to the wealthiest man in Iowa, F.M. Hubbell.
We were privileged to have had with us one of his great grandchildren,
Omaha’s own Anne Weaver, who spent much of her childhood growing
up there. The home was vacant from 1957-1971 when it was given to the
state to be used as the governor’s mansion. The governor lives on the
third floor; the first and second floors have been historically conserved and
opened as a museum to the public. Anne told us that when her
grandparents lived there it was not the Victorian masterpiece it is today;
instead it was neither fashionably nor pretentiously decorated. What fun
to have her with us. The grounds are also a delight!
Our third sight was a completely different kind of time travel. The Salisbury
House is a Tudor style mansion built between 1923-1928 by a cosmetics
giant, Carl Weeks. The 42-room, 28,000 sq. ft. masterpiece sits on 9.5
acres of Iowa woodland and features gothic porches, 16th Century floors,
ceilings, paneling, fireplaces and windows all imported from England. We
had an especially good tour guide who really customized our visit.
Our bus just had time to drive us around the incredible new Pappajohn
Sculpture Park near downtown before we bid farewell to a wonderful day
in Des Moines.
Fifteen enthusiastic travelers spent the weekend of October 16 – 18
enjoying the beautiful fall colors and several historic homes of the lower
Hudson Valley. The trip was organized and led by Deb Covert, who did
an AMAZING job of keeping things organized and on time. The group stayed at the Tarrytown House, where everyone was impressed
with the colorful displays of mums.
The first stop on the tour was the United States Military Academy at West
Point where guests enjoyed the spectacular views of the Hudson River
from Trophy Point. A visit to the Cadet Chapel was also part of the tour, as
well as the West Point Museum where military memorabilia is on display.
Day two was a full day at Hyde Park. In the morning the group visited
Springwood, the lifelong home of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, which is
still furnished as it was during the time the Roosevelts lived there.
The mansion offered many fascinating insights into their lives and the
historical times.
Lunch was at the Culinary Institute of America in the American Harvest
Restaurant, served by soon-to-be graduates. The food was delicious
and very creative.
The afternoon of day two was spent at the Vanderbilt Mansion. The estate
illustrates a way of life modeled on the English country house and sits on
211 acres of park land with centuries old tree plantings.
Day three included tours of Kykuit, home to three generations of the
Rockefeller family, and Lyndhurst House. The Rockefeller estate is
beautiful and filled with an outstanding collection of 20th century art and
exceptional gardens. Lyndhurst, an 1838 Gothic Revival mansion owned
by financier Jay Gould, was interesting because of the many architectural
similarities shared by Joslyn Castle. When George and Sarah built their
mansion they called it “Lynhurst”.
“Tales of Poe”
October’s
Literary
Offering
performance. Prior to the two
Sunday performances, the director,
Scott Working, presented a lecture
on Poe’s creative process and his
essay, “The Philosophy of
Composition” beginning at 5:30pm.
In addition to the public
performances, there were two
student nights on October 1st and
2nd. On these nights, Metro students could attend for free.
Throughout the month of October, Metropolitan Community College
Theatre Program presented Tales of Poe at the Castle. The production
was a collaborative effort between Metro and the Joslyn Castle.
Five of Edgar Allan Poe’s stories and four of his poems were performed
in different rooms throughout the castle. The dramatizations included the
stories The Tell-Tale Heart, The Fall of the House of Usher, The Cask of
Amontillado, The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar, and The Imp of the
Perverse, as well as the poems The Bells, Annabel Lee, The Spirits of the
Dead, and The Raven. The audience, in small groups of approximately
fifteen people, were led by a docent to the various rooms where the
stories were presented. Between tales, the docents performed dramatic
readings of the poems.
There were eleven performances from October 3rd through October
23rd. All performances began at 7:00 pm, with a reception following each
Most performances were sold out. The Castle received many positive
comments about the program and will be working with Scott and Metro
again in 2013 to present a similar program. The Castle’s share of the
project was nearly $6,000.
page 3
First Year for Halloween at the Castle
In October 2012, the Joslyn Castle’s Staff hosted the first annual
“Halloween at the Castle” fundraiser. This was a two-day event designed
to appeal to both kids and adults in the Omaha community and bring
some new faces to the Castle. The “Kids at the Kastle” event, which took
place primarily on the grounds, was on Sunday, October 28th. Families
were invited to come and enjoy an afternoon of fun. Activities included
costume contests, apple biting contests, scavenger hunts, trick or treating,
and a spooky themed attic tour. More than 50 families showed up to take
part in the festivities, with a total attendance of nearly 200.
Upstream, Spaghetti Works, eCreamery, Tommy Colinas, Indian Creek
Nursery, Wag, OH-K Fast Print, Mama’s Pizza, Katie’s Greek Restaurant,
Attitude on Food, Patricia’s Catering, Roja Mexican Restaurant, CRAVE,
Cantina Laredo, West Mart Gas Station, Bellevue Berry Farms, Hy-Vee,
Paul Family, Omaha Symphony Guild, Vernie Jones, M’s Pub, Midwest
Photo Pro, Colleen Fogarty, United Rent-All, and Mary Jochim.
On Monday, October 29th, the “Monster Mash” (adult’s only) party was
held inside the Castle. This evening included a costume contest, gift card
drawing, complimentary appetizers and cash bar, along with tarot card,
palm, and crystal ball readings.
Both events were a great deal of fun with lively crowds dressed in their
most creative Halloween costumes!
A 2013 Halloween event is planned for this fall. Details will follow in future
newsletters and on the website – www.joslyncastle.com.
The Trust would like to thank all of the volunteers, donors and sponsors
who helped make the Castle’s first Halloween event a success!
Program News
—Last Winter—
Brigit St. Brigit Presents
“Twelfth Night”
Midtown Crossing Sponsors
Miracle on Farnam
This past November and
December, the Brigit St.
Brigit Theatre Company
used the music room of
the Joslyn Castle for their
winter play “Twelfth Night”
by William Shakespeare.
The show ran for ten
days and was a huge
success, not unlike the
performance of “Tartuffe”
last year. The house was
packed every night with
people who came to
enjoy the play and a small
wine and cheese
reception. The Joslyn
Castle was the perfect
setting for this humorous
take on one of
Shakespeare’s great
comedies. Cathy Kurz,
L to R: top row Scottie Pace, Jackson Cottrell, both the owner of the
Brigit St. Brigit Theatre
Ashley Spessard, Kevin Barratt; bottom row
Company and the director
David Ebke, Brendan Reilly, Katlyn Yost,
and Eric Salonis
of this play did an
excellent job with the
production. There is talk of the company returning in 2013 to perform
another play. Watch for more details in future newsletters and on our
website, www.joslyncastle.com.
Fourteen non-profits throughout the city were invited to participate in this
inaugural Holiday event. Each participant received $1,500 toward the cost
of decorating a window on Midtown Crossing’s stretch of Farnam Street
showcasing their organization.
Joslyn Castle’s window was called “George A. Joslyn in his Castle.” The
space was fitted to represent George’s “man cave” billiard room. A replica
of the stair hall fireplace, an easy chair, a decorated Christmas tree with
gifts to all the charities the Joslyn’s supported, a billiard table and even a
set of antlers on the wall decorated the space. George’s portrait was also
displayed on the wall.
The windows were on display from November 15 – January 1, 2013.
It was great fun to stroll up and down Farnam Street and look at the
displays. Those viewing the store front displays were able to vote for the
best, and the one receiving the most votes was awarded $3,000 from
Midtown Crossing. Voting could take place on-line or through any of the
Midtown Crossing businesses.
Even though Joslyn Castle did not win, we believe we were in the top
three. The Durham Museum received the most votes, and their display
was quite impressive.
We have already chosen our window space for 2013. We will be located
by the front door of The Afternoon, which is an ideal space for the theme
that has been selected for next year.
page 4
2nd Annual Turkey Trot Takes Place at midtown crossing
On Thanksgiving morning, 2012, the 5K Joslyn Castle Turkey Trot
again took place at Turner Park in Midtown Crossing.
In partnership with Peak Performance, Midtown Crossing and
Prairie Life Fitness, the Castle hosted over 400 runners and
walkers on a beautiful, unseasonably warm day.
Over 40 Creighton students volunteered to help with various
tasks associated with the race. JCT volunteer docents also
helped with registration. Everyone who registered in advance
received a free Turkey Trot T-shirt. Bananas were provided by
Trader Joe’s and Wohlners Grocery.
The race brought in nearly $5,000 for the Castle. We plan to
continue offering this event in 2013 and thank all those who
made it so much fun.
Program News
—This spring—
2013 Murder Mystery at Joslyn Castle: “The Sleazy Lies of Spies”
On February 15 and 16, the 9th annual Murder Mystery production
played to sell-out crowds at the Castle. Nearly 200 people enjoyed the
performances over the two-night run.
Chaired by Merrilee Faubel and produced by Mary Ann Ramge, other
committee members included: Jo Grebenick, Jessica Duce, Michelle
Pfeiffer, Jan Farha, Angela Tompsett, Jan Stibor and Cheryl Cavel.
Spies from around the world, bearing mushrooms and ashes; twists and
turns and subtle clues, formed the basis of the clever and entertaining
plot offered by
script-writer
Colleen Fogarty.
Honorary chairs for this year’s production were Bob Culver, who also
doubled as an actor, and Debra Reilly-Culver.
Table sponsors were Lincoln Financial Group, Fogarty Creative,
George Kleine, McGill Restoration, Kiewit Builders Group and Baird Holm.
Under the
direction of Joe
Schaffner, and
supported by a
very efficient
artistic team and
crew, the fourteen actors all
turned in stellar
performances.
Need a
unique gift
for a friend oR
family member?
Check out the
Joslyn Castle Gift Shop!
Program sponsors were: United Rental, Attitude on Food, Back in the Day
Antiques Art and Collectibles and J. Duce Designs.
Other contributors were: Stephanie O’Keefe, Venice Antiques, Diane
DelSignore, Mr. Tuxedo, Jim’s Seek & Save, Bloom Works, Carole Zacek
and Paul Siebert.
Once again, the Murder Mystery was a big success. Proceeds help
support preservation and maintenance of the Castle and grounds.
Thank you to all those who worked so hard on this great program.
Photo by Jim Fogarty
The JCT gift shop has a variety of items featuring our logo and/or a photo of the
Castle. You will find everything from refrigerator magnets, to book marks; coasters
to playing cards; note cards to post cards.
And for a higher end gift, you may want to consider a signed, numbered print of the
Castle by renowned artist Allen Tubach or a black and white enlarged photo printed
on canvass by local photographer Dave Jenkins.
The gift shop is open on the first and third Sundays of every month during public
tours. It is also open during scheduled group tours.
If you are just interested in seeing what is in the gift shop, call Judy at
402.595.1415 and arrange a time to browse our store. Joslyn Castle members
receive a 10% discount.
page 5
Program News
—Upcoming Programs—
Joslyn Castle Calendar of Events
APRIL
&
w
June
&
Tour Sundays: June 2 & June 16
Tours at 1:00, 2:00 and 3:00pm
JULY
&
Tour Sundays: July 7 & July 21
Tours at 1:00, 2:00 and 3:00pm
e 1(
F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary
Festival Jazz Gala Dinner:
Saturday, July 27
u 2!
Tour Sundays:
April 7 & April 21
Tours at 1:00, 2:00 and 3:00pm
MAY
Designer Showhouse
Patron Party: Thursday, May 2
to
Designer Showhouse
Open to the Public:
Friday, May 3 – Sunday, May 19
Open Daily: 11:00 am – 7:00pm
&
t 1(
May 5 & May 19
(Castle open from 11:00 - 3:00.
Showhouse tickets can be used
for tours of the Castle.)
w 1^
u 2!
2&
2*
Castle Classic Car Show &
F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary
Festival Movie Night Picnic:
Sunday, July 28
3!
F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary
Festival 1920s Fashion
Workshop
Wednesday, July 31
august
q to r & y to u
F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary
Festival Drama Nights:
Thursday,
August 1 through Sunday,
August 4th; Tuesday, August 6th
and Wednesday, August 7th
o&a
F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary
Festival Speak Easy Nights:
Friday, August 9 and
Saturday, August, 10
r&l
Tour Sundays:
August 4 and August 18
Tours at 1:00, 2:00 and 3:00pm
4th Annual Joslyn Castle
Classic Car Show Coming in July
Mark your calendars for Sunday, July 28th for the Joslyn Castle Classic
Car Show. The show will run from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm.
As in the past, the proceeds will benefit the Joslyn Castle with its
restoration, preservation and education missions.
Classic car and motorcycle owners, with vehicles dating from 1960
or earlier, are invited to participate.
2013 Literary Festival Coming in July
The Jazz Age and prohibition had a profound effect on the American
auto industry. Tanks were installed under seats and near gas tanks to
carry illegal alcohol. Races were organized to test the speed of runners’
cars. Faster cars were able to out-race the
representatives from the Treasury Department.
These races were the precursors to America’s
burgeoning NASCAR tradition.
This year we have chosen F. Scott Fitzgerald as the author to be featured
in the 2013 Literary Festival. Inspired by the much anticipated new Baz
Luhrman film version of “The Great Gatsby”, this year’s exciting offering
will be “Jazz Age at the Castle: F Scott Fitzgerald"! The Jazz Age was a
time of huge cultural change and a brand new approach to life. No literary
figure epitomizes the era more completely than F Scott Fitzgerald with his
tales of brazen “flappers” and “flaming youth.” He captured vividly an explosive time in American history when a post-war surge of youthful energy
and prosperity re-invigorated the country in new and startling ways. It was
a time of jazz, gin, wild parties and a celebratory disavowal of the old
traditions and mores. Come and enjoy two live dramas, a "Speakeasy"
replete with Charleston lessons, a flapper fashion show and a gin
presentation, outdoor cinema, the opera version of "Great Gatsby" and
much more! "Jazz Age at the Castle: F Scott Fitzgerald" dazzle the
Castle from July 26th through August 10th! Don't miss it!
This event will be affiliated with the F. Scott
Fitzgerald Literary Festival which begins the
same weekend. There will be family activities,
food and entertainment available.
This will be an exciting time to visit the Castle.
Watch for more information coming soon on our
website – www.joslyncastle.com.
page 6
Program News
—Upcoming Programs—
We are pleased to announce that the ASID JCT 2013
Designer Showhouse is underway! Home owners Robyn
Tait and John Campbell have graciously offered their
Rennaisance Revival home at 710 N. 38th Street as the
Showhouse location.
Note from the jct showhouse chair, Linda Gardels
The fabulous Smyth House joins the ranks of historic Showhouses. The
Joslyn Castle neighborhood was flourishing in the early 1900s. The major
landmarks of the area were born in the first decade of the new century.
The Joslyn Castle, which Sarah and George Joslyn called Lynhurst, was
completed in 1903, and St. Cecilia Cathedral’s cornerstone was laid in
October of 1907. This year we are delighted to feature another wonderful destination in the neighborhood that was constructed in that decade,
the Constantine J. Smyth House at 710 N. 38th St. Built in 1906, this
Neoclassical Revival mansion is being redone by talented members of the
NE/IA chapter of the ASID to highlight its many unique features. We urge
you to tour the house from May 3 to 19. Whether you choose to volunteer,
tour, or attend the many special events we’ve planned, we’re sure you will
enjoy this Gold Coast gem.
SNEAK PEEK OF
SMYTH HOUSE
DRAWS
ENTHUSIASTIC
RESPONSE
Over 100 guests got a sneak peek
Friday, February 15, of the historic
Smyth House at 710 N. 38th St. in
Omaha. While enjoying food
catered by John Ford, attendees
got a first look at the designer
room boards, saw 1920s images
of the home and met Rory, the
neighborhood cat, who does not know what to think about the now empty
house in which he frequently lounges.
The following two days over 800 people walked through the 4,200 square
foot home. Attendees viewed plans for the 20 spaces being designed by
professionals of the Nebraska/Iowa Chapter of the American Society of
Interior Designers (ASID) and received a special discount on tickets to the
fall showhouse. Over 350 tickets were sold. Many attendees shared their
memories of when this home was a Designer Showhouse in 1980 and
those going through the home could see wallpaper, paint and fabric
treatments from that time 33 years ago.
“We were thrilled by the enthusiastic response to the Sneak Peek
weekend,” said Julie Reilly, executive director of the Joslyn Castle Trust.
“We are looking forward to the spring opening and to seeing the home
revived by many of Omaha's most talented designers,”
Showhouse Dates:
Joslyn Castle is the beneficiary of this year’s showhouse. Money raised
will go toward preserving and restoring the Joslyn Castle at 39th and
Davenport streets. Members of ASID are donating their skills to the
showhouse and will receive a portion of the proceeds to provide
educational opportunities for their members.
Linda Gardels, JCT Chair,
and Kristine Gerber,
Marketing Consultant, will
work with Joslyn Castle
Trust executive director,
Julie Reilly, to manage
the event. Beth Settles is
the design chair, overseeing the 20 spaces in
the home. She is assisted
by Lance Hiatt, Arlene
Osterloh, Ellen Turnage
and Richard White.
Friday, May 2nd — Patron Party
Saturday, May 3rd through Sunday, May 19th
11:00am – 7:00pm
The Castle will also be open for tours from 11:00am –
4:00pm on the following dates: Sunday, May 4th through
Thursday, May 9th; Monday, May 12th, Tuesday, May 13th
and Thursday, May 16th and Sunday, May 19th.
Additional details about the showhouse are available at
www.OmahaDesignerShowhouse.com.
page 7
Joslyn Castle Renters
Enjoy Their Experiences
As in past years, the Joslyn Castle remains a popular venue for weddings,
parties, and corporate events. Since last spring, the Castle has hosted
nearly 75 rental events for a total of over 5,000 visitors. There were even
several corporate groups from out of state who used the Castle for their
meetings and events, including groups from Wisconsin and Minnesota.
One of the Joslyn Castle’s goals this year has been to increase exposure
of this historic home as a wedding venue. To achieve this goal, the Castle
now has a wedding blog, and a Pinterest account to showcase some of
the gorgeous pictures and wonderful stories from weddings that have
occurred at Lynhurst. The Castle’s Facebook and Twitter accounts
continue to grow as well, with over 1,000 followers on Twitter and 600
likes on Facebook.
“Thank you for
helping coordinate
on such short
notice. The whole
thing went off
perfectly. I’ll be sure
to let my friends and
colleagues know
what a great venue
the Castle is.” –
Steven
“Thank you so much
for all your help in
getting everything
organized for the
day. Everything went
very smoothly… It
looked great, all the
Makarios Photographer
vendors were able
to get in and set-up
when they needed to, and we had everything we needed…Thanks
again! We could not have asked for a more perfect day.” - Brooke
Anyone interested in having an event or wedding at the Joslyn Castle can
contact Emily Lasky, the Event Coordinator, at [email protected]
or 402-595-3209. Be sure to visit the website as well for more information
about rentals and for links to the wedding blog and Pinterest board.
Past renters write:
“Thanks so much for everything! The open house went great.
We got numerous comments on how lovely the Castle was. The
guests enjoyed exploring and the docents did an excellent job.
Thank you for all your work.” - Chris
“Everything was great and I had numerous compliments regarding
the location, the food, drinks, staff and overall experience... Thanks
again for all of your assistance; you were a pleasure to work with.”
- Pete
“Thank you for working with us to plan and execute our wedding
reception. I would definitely recommend Joslyn Castle to others
wanting to host a wedding and/or reception.” –Denise
2012 Saw Many Improvements to Castle Grounds
Thanks to the faithful volunteers and staff members who tend the gardens,
the Joslyn Castle grounds are looking better and better. Over the summer,
we were gifted some new peony cultivars from Hollingsworth Peony Farm of
Springfield, Maine and daylilies from the Omaha Daylily Society. A generous
number of donated hostas now fill a large shaded area along the north wall.
Though it will take a few seasons for these plants to become established,
they will bring lasting beauty to the gardens.
A major improvement to the grounds, undertaken with the help of McGill
Restoration, was the restoration of the exterior wall on the west end of the
property. This brought a much needed rehabilitation of the very old bushes
along the wall and also the installation of a new sign on 40th Street. Look
for some additional plants to be added to this area later this spring.
The influence that famed landscape designer, Jens Jensen, had on the
Castle grounds became a topic of interest in October when Brita Bastogi,
his great grand-niece, visited Omaha. Bastogi, touring the USA, stopped
at the Castle to see the rock work in the conservatory and the area on the
grounds where the pools once existed. It was a pleasure to speak with her
about Jensen’s vision of the prairie landscape and his connection with the
Joslyn Castle.
Another significant addition to the Castle is the group of 46 viburnum
bushes planted in May by the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum. The Castle
was chosen as a test site for the shrubs and we couldn’t be happier to
be working with the NSA on this project. The Castle grounds have been a
Landmark Affiliate Site of the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum since 1996.
Spring is just around the corner and we welcome all visitors to come and
enjoy the colorful beds of tulips and daffodils soon to be on display.
Joslyn Castle Acquires Period Furniture
In 2012, Joslyn Castle received donations and loans of various pieces of period furniture.
Kathy Caradori donated many items including a Victorian setee and chairs, a clover leaf parlor
table, an empire sofa, cane arm chairs and an ivory and gold inlaid table.
The Doug Buchanan Family were in possession of a three-piece parlor set and table that were
original to the Gold Room in the Castle. They very generously agreed to loan us these pieces.
In addition, a Salon Grand Chickering Mahogany piano, original to the Castle, was donated by
Nancy Graf.
These additions join the original furniture, lamps and rugs that were placed in the Castle two
years ago on permanent loan from the Joslyn Art Museum. It is very exciting to see these
artifacts returned to Lynhurst.
page 8
Building Report
Friends of Joslyn Castle
Small, but much needed improvement projects are underway on the
property. Currently the Carriage House kitchen in the basement can only
be accessed from the conference room on the East side. The plans are to
move the entrance to the hallway so that people wishing to use the room
do not have to go through the conference room to reach it.
Message from the President,
Annette Huff
On the second floor of the office building (Annex), a beautiful arched
window had been enclosed and converted to a smaller rectangular
window. The decision was made to take it back to its original size and
shape by removing the plywood covering and replacing it with glass again.
Today the new window matches the ones in the West end of the Annex,
admitting much more light into the upstairs room.
Work has begun on cleaning up and reorganizing the basement.
The walls are being scraped and sealed and will soon be painted.
A workshop area is being created in one of the larger rooms so that
the Facilities Manager has a more effective work area.
Painting of various areas on the second floor is planned for the
immediate future.
A very special thanks to our charter members and our general members
for supporting the Castle by joining the Friends of Joslyn Castle. As a
result of your generous contributions, the FOJC last May was able to
designate $5,000 toward a reproduction of the dining room chandelier.
Out first guild event was the Holiday Open House at the Castle held on
Saturday, December 8th, 2012. The event, chaired by Teddi Kennedy,
was a festive occasion fashioned after an English high tea that featured
tea, libations, savories and sweets, all provided by Patricia Catering.
Guests were greeted at the front door by George and Sarah Joslyn (AKA
Ron and Meri Crampton). During the event, the Duchesne Academy Choir
and Strings performed holiday carols.
The many who attended enjoyed the wonderful ambience of the Castle
– taking everyone back to the elegance of the 1900s when the Joslyns
made the Castle their home. This will be an annual event and we hope to
see you in December 2013.
Other committee members were Annette Huff, Polo Davis, Francie Prier,
Monte Thompson, Sharon McGill and Julie Reilly.
Classic Car
Show
28, 2013 10am-4pm
Joslyn Castle
july
•
Vintage Automobiles
& Motorcycles
beautifully displayed on
Joslyn Castle’s historic grounds
Joslyn Castle
3902 Davenport Street
One Block North of Dodge on 39th Street
For more information, visit
www.JoslynCastleCarClassic.com
or call Jerry Vincentini at 402.238.2842
Proceeds will benefit the restoration of the Joslyn Castle property
Tours would not be possible without the excellent and dedicated docents
who support these programs. There are docents who represent the Castle
at weddings and corporate events. Others volunteer for full tours on
Sundays, double tour bank groups during the week, and children’s
program tours during the Spring months. We owe these docents sincere
appreciation for their service to the Castle.
The FOJC is also proud to be a part of the 2013 Designer Showhouse.
This year the Showhouse is the historic Smyth house in the Gold Coast
area. The Patron Party is Thursday, May 2nd. Be the first to see this
classical revival home decorated by ASID members.
May 23rd is the date for the FOJC annual meeting and luncheon. This is a
great time to enjoy a delightful luncheon in the Castle, hear about updates
on the Castle and enjoy a special tour of the Castle if you are interested.
Sharon McGill and Kyle Robino are the chairpersons.
You will be receiving your membership brochure in March. Please
consider renewing your membership and being a part of Sarah’s Circle.
Joslyn Castle needs your support.
The Friends of Joslyn Castle board is working closely with the new
Executive Director Julie Reilly to ensure the continuation of the restoration
and preservation of the Joslyn Castle – an integral part of Omaha’s history.
Annette Huff,
President, Friends of Joslyn Castle
page 9
Many Local and Out-of-town
Visitors Tour Joslyn Castle
In 2012 over 1,000 people toured the Castle on the first and third Sundays
of each month. Most were local, but there were visitors from other cities
and states as well.
The spring, summer and fall brought twenty senior citizen bank groups to
the property. With an average group size of 30, over 600 people enjoyed
the Castle. These groups represented seven states, as well as several
cities in out-state Nebraska. Tour season is just beginning for 2013.
The first group will arrive on March 28th from Grand Island. In April there
are six tours booked, and calls are coming in for dates throughout the
remainder of the year. Those who visit with a bank group are treated to
an hour tour and most also request an hour presentation by the Scottish
Society of Nebraska.
The Joslyn Castle’s children’s program, “Discover Violet’s World” hosted
10 elementary schools during April and May. Nearly 500 3rd and 4th
graders participated in this experience. The Violet’s World program is
designed to give students a taste of what life would have been like for
children growing up at the turn of the century. It consists of a 45minute tour that is specifically geared to appeal to young people.
Following the tour, students participate in a discovery trunk activity. Our
discovery trunks are filled with items which would have been in common
use during the early 1900s. Some groups choose to bring lunches to
enjoy on the grounds following their tours. A number of Violet’s World
tours are booked for 2013, and more are expected.
THE JOSLYN CASTLE Gift Tree
A feature of the holiday season décor was
a traditional evergreen decorated with
ornaments indicating needed donations
of items for a variety of Castle operations.
There was considerable interest from guests
at the Holiday Open House and more than
$1000 was collected to purchase tools, a
paper cutter, a storage bin, wet mops and
best of all, trees and shrubs to enhance the
gardens. One of the more unusual items the
Castle needed were 10 skeleton keys.
Imagine sorting keys for a house with 35
rooms, more rooms in the carriage house
and more yet for the offices! While 6 were
purchased, there are still 4 to go. Some of
the more costly items on the wish list are a
dishwasher, a freezer, a projector, new
computers and a server. The castle also
needs shelving, paint and supplies and additional small tools.
Stop by the Castle this spring and view the decorative changes
to the Gift Tree. The evergreen will be replaced by a more seasonal tree,
and it will be decked out in its finery. There will be many items still
available for donation, and the Castle staff is forever grateful for the
participation of supporters.
The Castle will offer a new program for students in June and July of this
year. Sponsored by the Peter Kiewit Foundation, this program offers
cultural experiences to inner-city youth. Students who sign up to visit will
be treated to a tour of the Castle, the discovery trunk activity and a tour
of the grounds. In addition, each participant will be provided the supplies
needed to complete an art project. They will be asked to draw or paint
something from inside the Castle or on the grounds.
Wish List
Below is a list of items the Castle needs in order to more effectively
maintain the house and grounds, as well as provide better support for
groups using the Castle for events. If you currently own any of these items
and are willing to donate them, or if you would like to make a donation
toward the purchase of any item, we would be most appreciative.
Tools:
Set of cordless power tools
Power broom for tractor
Metal grinder
Leaf rakes
Garden rakes
Spades
Snow shovels
Hand garden tools
Plantings - perennials
Event and tour support:
Chairs for weddings
Projector
Small locking freezer
Plastic bins for storage
Commercial grade dishwasher
Commercial vacuum cleaners
Office equipment
and supplies:
Computers
Printers
Wire shelving for storage
page 10
Joslyn Castle Thanks
Its Members!
Today Joslyn Castle has approximately 400 members. Members of
this group are the Castle’s most dedicated supporters. Members
receive invitations to members only events, discounts on selected
Joslyn Castle Trust sponsored event ticket prices, a 10% discount
in the gift shop, and a copy of the newsletter. Look for the Joslyn
Castle Trust year-end report this winter for a complete list of our
wonderful members and join us.
Join the Joslyn Castle Trust, and help preserve
a part of Omaha’s history.
n
n
n
n
$1000 Partner
$500 Benefactor
$250 Patron
n
n
n
$50 Supporter
$35 Family
$30 Individual
$100 Donor
Name__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Address________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
City_______________________________________________________________________State___________ Zip__________________________
Email_____________________________________________________________________ Phone________________________________________
Send this form with your contribution payable to:
Joslyn Castle Trust, Inc., 3902 Davenport Street, Omaha, NE 68131 or visit: www.joslyncastle.com
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Joslyn Castle
Your spring 2013
3902 Davenport Street
Omaha, NE 68131
Castle
watch
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