Quester State Days Held In Oskaloosa
Nelson Pioneer Farm was busy on Friday and Saturday with Quester State Days.
Quester State Days was held for the first time in Oskaloosa hosted by the local Chief Mahaska Questers #505 group on April 8th and 9th. The Iowa Quester organization is celebrating its 50th year.
Ann Brouwer of Oskaloosa and a member of Questers said that, “We are very honored to host this. It’s never been in Oskaloosa, Iowa before.”
Questers is a non-profit International Organization. It’s major objectives are to stimulate an appreciation of antiques and their collection, and to encourage and support grants for the preservation and restoration of existing historical buildings and landmarks locally, statewide and internationally. The Chief Mahaska Questers were awarded a preservation and restoration grant at the 2015 State Days for the purchase of historical wallcoverings for the Nelson Pioneer Home.
Iowa currently has 125 chapters with almost 1,700 members and remains the state with the largest membership in the International organization. Iowa Questers are devoted to their local historic landmarks and museums.
The event featured a 50th. Birthday Party for the Iowa Questers hosted by the local Chief Kish Ke Kosh Quester group on the evening of April 8 and a “Spring Day in the Country” event, hosted at Bradbury Hall at the Nelson Pioneer Farm by the Chief Mahaska Questers, on April 9. The event featured exhibitions and programs including, Square Dancing, the Iowa Historic Barn Foundation, and “The Women of the Iowa Prairie Meet Rosie the Riveter: 100 Years of Iowa Fashion!” Tours of area homes included the McNiell Stone Mansion, The Frederic Knight Logan Home, and The Feathered Nest, which is the home of Chief Mahaska Quester co-founder Jean Saxton The event included a Country Store fundraiser, many booths showcasing antique collections from area Quester groups, and a hot country style lunch including pie!
Square dancers and an 1800 to Rose-the-Riverter fashion show was also a part of the big celebration.
