The Hysham House blues
If walls could talk, the ornate, dark wood-trimmed walls of the Hysham House would tell tales of grandeur — the most elite women of society discussing Egyptian art and literature at the turn of the century, raising money for war efforts, buying the first sewing machine for the Red Oak High School during World War II and entertaining state officials, including the governor at one point.
Today, however, those walls creak a much different water-stained anecdote of a dwindling club population and a community that has forgotten their past worth.
The Hysham House, located at 800 Reed St., is in desperate need of repairs. The roof leaks; the stucco is cracked; the restroom is not handicap accessible, and the windows are drafty.
In order to begin fixing the house, which is owned by the Red Oak Monday Club, club president Lois Pratt said they need to raise about $70,000 in the next two months, which would only cover the roof and stucco repairs. It would take an additional $200,000 to replace the windows, and more money would then be needed for inside repairs.
“We don’t want it to continue to deteriorate,” Pratt said. “If we aren’t able to keep it up, then we would need to sell it.”
The Red Oak Monday Club is lacking two major ingredients in the repair process — money and an active, able-bodied membership.
This wasn’t always the case, though. The Monday Club is the oldest ongoing organization in the city. Its by-laws were adopted in 1895, and the club had as many as 200 members at one point who were involved by invitation only.
Now, there are around 20 active members and 25 associate members who typically are only financially involved in the club.
Pratt said the club has done numerous things for the community in their more than 120 years of existence including assisting in the installation of the clock in the Courthouse tower, laying sidewalks in College Park, helping establish the current library and even working for 13 years to make the Paul Scarlet Climbing Rose the official flower of Red Oak through a city beautification project.
Today, though, the Monday Club is lucky to pay their utility bills, which run about $400 a month.
While their community involvement has diminished, their beloved Hysham House is feeling the weight of their struggles.
“It’s really hard to see the building begin to deteriorate because we were originally set up to do fundraising and help the city and the community, and now we aren’t able to do that,” Pratt said. “We are really just paying the bills. We would love to be able to do some of the upkeep of the building, but as the members age, we aren’t capable of doing it anymore.”
The house was built in 1900 for John Hayes, owner of the Red Oak Investment Company. It was remodeled from a Queen Anne Victorian to an English Tudor in 1926 for its new owner, T.J. Hysham and his English wife Ada.
T.J. was an attorney known for his defense of Rev. George Kelly, the only person ever charged in the Villisca ax murders, and Ada was a devout member of the Monday Club. T.J. died in 1940 and Ada in 1956. In her will, she left $15,000 to the Monday Club for the purchase and upkeep of the Hysham House.
The club remodeled and redecorated the house in 1957 and very few renovations have taken place since.
“These people here, this house means a lot to them and to the community,” Pratt said. “I don’t feel the community realizes how much we need help. They probably think we are here and doing just fine, and we’re not. I would just love to have this available to the Monday Club… and love to have new members, and that would help too.”
Despite numerous financial struggles, the Monday Club has had several supporters throughout the years.
The Altrusa Club regularly takes care of the yard at the Hysham House and helped fund a ramp leading into the building.
Local electrician Miles Russell has also been of service to the club, donating time and labor for various repairs.
Pratt said she’s just hoping to find more generous people to keep the house going.
“Maybe someone has a million dollars out there; we’re hoping,” she said. “Hopefully there is somebody that will read this article and want to help. We are also wanting to have an open house during Junction Days on Saturday from 1-5 p.m. Hopefully there will be someone with a tie to Red Oak or a tie to the Hysham House and they will feel that need to give.”
If interested in pledging money to the Hysham House, contact Pratt at 623-9469. The club will also be hosting a membership drive at their next meeting; meetings are held the first Monday of every month. Membership is by invitation only.
The Hysham House also hosts a bridge club the last Tuesday of every month and is available for rent for weddings and other parties and gatherings.