Dean House - Second Sunday Christmas Open House

From the Historic Blooming Grove Historical Society:

The splendid black walnut curved front stairway banister of the restored Dean House, 4718 Monona Drive will welcome guests with a lavish display of greenery, garlands, ribbons and ornaments at the traditional Second Sunday Christmas Open House on Sunday, Dec. 11 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. The public is invited  Adding to the mansion's Victorian décor will be Christmas music by Mary Payton and a table of holiday cookies and hot apple cider. The public is invited to be the guests of the Historic Blooming Grove Historical Society, which restored the 1856 house in the 1970's and continues to improve the 10-room country home of Madison civic leader Nathaniel Dean and his wife Harriet.  A $2 donation will be appreciated. 

Memorabilia on display will help visitors recall the fifteen years of activities of the Historic Blooming Grove Historical Society  volunteers and donors  that provided the funds  for the creation of the stairway and banister that is the crown jewel  of the restored Dean House Re-creation of the stairway's 50 black walnut balusters and 27- foot handrail in 1988 was one of the challenges requiring an accomplished craftsman, as in the earlier use of the building as a club house for the golf course the stair railing had been lost.  A Society Stairway Fund was created that grew through donations, Back Porch Concerts, Ice Cream Socials, sleigh rides and special fund-raising events, and a private donation of $1,000  to reach the $7,000 goal. 

The newel post at the base of the railing was a rescue from the old Capital Hotel, which stood at 208 King Street in downtown Madison.  It had been built in 1866 and was torn down in 1975.

                For more information call 249-7920 or 222-5783.