Dutchess County Historical Society Yearbook Vol 057 1972

GLEBE HOUSE REPORT Glebe House has had a very active and productive year. The hard work of a fine committee has made• it a most enjoyable year for me.

Unfortunately our year began on a sad note in June with a memorial reception for Mr. Balms Van Kleeck, a long standing member of the committee and a dear friend to many. We invited members of the Van Kleeck family and at that time a chinese bowl and a wall table with mirror were given and dedicated in memory of Mr. Van Kleeck.

This event was followed by an informal Open House in celebration of the new City Hall Dedication. Committee members were on hand to give tours. Punch and cookies were served.

A major decision was made to purchase a security system to protect our house which is ever growing in value. We hired Hammond Security Systems to install a burglar, fire alarm system. The job was completed in July.

In September, we joyfully hired Mrs. Marcia Nagel as caretakerguide (Mr. Theodore Rich having resigned at the end of May) on a daily basis. She lives at home and is employed on an hourly basis. This arrangement has been most satisfactory.

October found us making plans for our annual Open House on December 3, from 3-5 p.m. It was a tremendous success. The house was bursting at the seams with a total of well over 600 people in attendance.

The provisional Junior League members conducted a very successful bake sale and the committee conducted an 18th Century Sale of hand made items. The combined profits were over $300.00. A gift will be presented to Glebe House from the provisionals with their share of the profit.

We were delighted with the gift of a wedding gown worn by Frances Sleight Winchester and Frances Titus Sleight in the 1800's, brought to us

by Mr. Edmund Van Wycke from Mr. James Winchester. Another special gift of a deed and other related documents was given to Glebe House by Mrs. Stephen Lumb. We are most grateful to those who have been so generous and interested in Glebe House.

With a goal of improving the interior of the house we planned a fund raising Dessert Bridge in March. Through this event we increased our self support fund by $60.00.

Our goal for house improvements is to set a decorating plan which will be fulfilled by 1976 for a Bi-Centennial celebration. We have made a big step in this direction by purchasing the major part of Mr. Chalanda's collection of furnishings.

Our garden event this year will be a Country Fair which we hope will draw a large section of our community to Glebe House. We hope to raise substantial funds toward our long range plans. We will also enjoy seeing the house alive and bustling with activity once again.

This has been an exciting year to have been involved in Glebe House and it will be exciting to see our plans develop over the next few years.

Mrs. David Petrovits Chairman 22