BY KATHY WILLIAMS
HERALD DEMOCRAT
Getting a look inside the Woodmen Circle Home is now a possibility.
Those who would like to peek behind the giant old iron gates, participate in an old fashioned barbecue picnic and benefit the Red River Historical Museum can do so from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 25. The benefit "History Comes Alive" will feature several orphans who grew up there, a former employee and other guest speakers who will share their stories of the historic structure.
Some have wondered what lurks behind the overgrown shrubbery and inside what obviously once was a grand building without even knowing its name. Located at the intersection of State Highway 56 and FM 1417 in Sherman, the buildings and grounds, once 236 acres large, were home to orphans and "old folks" from the 1930s to the 1960s.
The Red River Historical Museum seeks to preserve local history through its permanent and special exhibits as well as through events such as this, where living witnesses share their personal stories.
"The Red River Historical Museum's mission is to collect, preserve and interpret objects of historical significance to Grayson County and North Texas, and to serve as a reference and research source for the community," said Kathy Flynn, who is heading up the effort to provide information to the public. "We also provide exhibits pertinent to all age groups."
Flynn explained that the Woodmen Circle Home is "unique in a number of ways. The Woodmen of the World insurance company was the first to value the life of women and to offer life insurance on women in the late 1800s, establishing the fraternal order of the Supreme Forest of the Woodmen Circle. With this insurance policy, a woman who was 'aged, indigent or in need' had the option to surrender her policy and move to the Woodmen Circle Home. Likewise, if an insured woman died, the policy guaranteed care for her minor children until each reached the age of 18."
The grand opening in 1930 was the largest public event ever planned locally at that time. Nearly 6,000 visitors came from 41 states. They dined on 3,000 pounds of barbecue beef and volunteers used 82 bushels of potatoes to make potato salad.
"For History Comes Alive, several of the surviving orphans will be returning to Sherman to share their stories and answer questions about how life was in the 1940s and 1950s," Flynn said. "Jim Vester, who came to the WCH in 1948, will return from Tulsa. Nancy Loughborough Walker, who came in 1952 at age 9 with two older sisters, also will return from her current home in Arizona."
"The day promises to answer questions for both long-time residents and the newly curious," she said. "It will include exhibits from private local collections, and a historical presentation on the women who made the Home possible, the historic cornerstone, and more recent history."
Linda Robertson, the only surviving employee of the Home, and Donna Hunt, local historian and former editor, will also be guest speakers.
Tickets for the day's activities, including the meal (based on Woodmen Circle Home's menu for its opening celebration, June 25, 1930), are $25 per person. If it rains, the event will take place the next day, a Sunday. Discounted tickets, for $20 each, are available only at the museum, 301 S. Walnut, Sherman. Call 903-893-7623 for more information. Tickets at $25 per person are available at Girls Inc., Touch of Class Antiques, the Book Rack and Fashion Reflections, all in Sherman, or can be ordered by phone at 903-893-7623.
The museum's current exhibit features two collections of photos from the WCH, as well as the stone bench that once graced the lawn at the home. For additional details, visit the museum's website.