WHITEWATER The Whitewater Federation of Womens Clubs hopes for a boost in membership following a Centennial Celebration for The Bassett House, 708 West Main St.. on June 14 at 1 p.m. The event will commemorate when Florence Bassett left the home to the federation upon her death.
The celebration is a public event and Federation President Pat Blackmer said the intent is to make it a family event. The house was Bassetts home until her death in 1926. It was built by her father, Thomas, in 1857.
Membership in clubs has dwindled through the years in the city. Prior to women working in the workforce, there were more than 400 members in several clubs. Now, two clubs remain the Florence Bassett Club and the Emerson Club, which have 30 members combined.
We hope that the centennial event will bring awareness to bring up membership to help bring The Bassett House well into the future, Blackmer said.
In honor of Americas semiquin- centennial, the a cappella choral group Fortzando will perform a series of Americana songs on the front porch of the house from 1-1:30 p.m. The Kettle Moraine Blues will perform on the lawn from 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Attendees will be greeted by Florence Bassett, portrayed by Carol Holford, who has played the part on multiple occasions, including at the Bassett Houses annual mother- daughter tea events.
She does a lovely job of portraying Florence while she (Bassett) lived there. She (Bassett) lived there her entire life with the exception of one year, Blackmer said.
Part of the portrayal will be the presentation of the history of Bassett and the house.
There will be more information about the federation at the celebration.
Bassett left the house to the federation under the condition that the club incorporate, which it did to fulfill her wishes, Blackmer said.
Blackmer said the house plays a vital role as a meeting venue for many clubs established by the federation, and that role goes as far back as 1897. It now serves as a public rental space for a variety of events.
This will be the first event since a renovation of significant interior remodel of the kitchen. There will also be refreshments served.