"GIVE AN OLD HOUSE A NEW LOOK"
In the past three years, Fite-Fessenden House has undergone a complete facelift. The Margaret Gaston Chapter NSDAR and the History Associates of Wilson County spearheaded the restoration which included the following:
* new standing seam metal roof
* new Queen Anne gutters
* repair/repainting of all wooden exterior woodwork
*repainting of all interior walls and woodwork
*restoration of 1870's playhouse
* replacement of paved front walk
* repointing brick on part of house
* creation of back garden
* inventory and reorganization of museum holdings
* connection to WiFi
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The purpose of this restoration was not only to preserve this beautiful house museum but also to create a space where our community can gather to celebrate and learn more about our shared history. We invite you to visit us soon. .For details, email us at fitefessendenhouse@gmail.com
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Thanks to long-time supporters of Fite-Fessenden Museum and Community Events Center: Mildred Manning, Betsy Sellars, James Jordan and Mike Manning. These four have graciously given their time and talents to Fite-Fessenden for over 30 years.
Special thanks also go to Valley Growers Garden Center, who donated annuals in the front and back yards and to the Year Round Garden Club members who maintain the landscaping of the property.
It seems like only yesterday, but it was three years ago, August 2020, that HIstoric Lebanon, the Margaret Gaston Chapter NSDAR, and History Associates hosted a garden party commemorating the centennial of the ratification of the 19th amendment insuring women's suffrage. This was an exciting event because it marked the kick off of a new era of community support for Fite-Fessenden House.
Lebanon mayor Bernie Ash rang the school bell 19 times, DAR members planted a yellow rose, and attendees learned all the details from pop up exhibits provided by the National Archives and local historians.
THE BACK GARDEN
The repair and repainting of the woodwork complete, the back garden has never looked more beautiful!
TENNESSEE HISTORIC COMMISSION GRANT
In conjunction with the City of Lebanon, History Associates of Wilson County was awarded a 60/40 Tennessee Historical Commission matching grant of $8,900 to restore, replace, and repaint the exterior woodwork on three sides of the home.
MIke Morgan of 615 Construction won the bid and completed the project in April 2022. Donations to Fite-Fessenden from the Big Payback 2021 and the Membership tea funded the match for History Associates.
ARCHIVES TEAM
OUR TASK: Research, Preserve, and Catalog Items in the House Museum and Support the Historical Programs that  Fite-Fessenden offers to our community.
In 2021, Fite-Fessenden House was awarded a State of Tennessee Library and Archives grant for the purchase of archival quality storage materials. For months during the height of the Covid pandemic, the group (which named itself the "Archives Team") masked up and met weekly to sort, repair, catalog, and preserve papers, photographs, and ephemera from the museum's eclectic collection. Fast Forward to 2023. The Archives Team has evolved into an active group of volunteers who support Fite-Fessenden House in myriad ways: research, hosting tours, promoting programming, and being the hands and heart of historic preservation at FFH.
Pictured is Wilson County Archives director Linda Granstaff conducting "Archival Storage 101" for us. Thanks, Linda for getting us started on this fun journey!
MISS SALLIE'S PLAYHOUSE COMES TO LIFE
Restoration is complete on Miss Sallie's Playhouse, built in 1870 and recently moved to Fite-Fessenden back yard. The playhouse was a gift of the Dr. Sid Berry family, was restored by a volunteer master carpenter, and was furnished thanks to the late Joyce Harris' gift of her antique toy collection.  The herb garden surrounding the playhouse was funded by a grant from the Herb Society of Nashville. The playhouse and gardens are now open for children's parties. Call to learn more.
615-444-8398.