DUNCAN —
Founder’s Day celebrates the day in 1892 when Duncan was first recognized as a township and it’s an occasion the community can take to appreciate what it still has from the past.
Several events happen Saturday to recognize the city’s establishment. Many of the events happening benefit the Stephens County Historical Museum, which has for years, been the organizing effort behind Founder’s Day.
Among the day’s festivities are a 5K/1 Mile Benefit Race, a historical home tour, a queen coronation.
Marguerite Moore will be crowned as the 2012 Founder’s Day Queen, at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Antique Marketplace and Tea Room on Main Street.
This is the third year for the 5K run, and it benefits the Bethel Church Mission Team and National MS Society.
Registration and check in are at 6:30 a.m. Saturday at the Rock Island 905 Railroad Museum in Fuqua Park. The start and finish of the race is at the east entrance of Fuqua Park (14th and Ash Streets).
On the home tour are Sharon and Bob Schick’s home, 1314 W. Spruce, Vickie and Joe Vermedahl, 1215 W. Cedar, and the newly-renovated building at 1110 N. 10th (across from the Mack Center at 10th and Peach).
This place is owned by Kelsey Avants and features his business, Edward Jones Agency.
There are also four other places to visit, that are not on the designated tour. These include the W.T. Foreman Prairie House, Stephens County Historical Museum and the 905 Rock Island Railroad Museum. Also the Chisholm Trail Heritage Center is open daily.
One of the oldest places to visit will be the W.T. Foreman Prairie House that was built in the early 1900s.
This historic home was renovated between 2001 and 2007. Since 2007, it has been a part of Founder’s Day and is always open for tours to the public and groups.
“Mr. Foreman may have even been here by 1882, because there are photos of him in the drugstore in 1888,” said Gail Loafman, founder and chair for the non-profit organization. “The history of the Foreman family goes back to the very early years of Duncan.”
At the time, it was the most expensive of homes in the area. Although repairs had to be made and additions put in, the original stove is still in place.
The rest of the home has been furnished with donations from the community.
The Prairie House will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. There is no charge for the tour on Founder’s Day, but donations are welcome.
It is also open from 1-4 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays during seasonable weather.
“The Prairie House likes to acknowledge Founder’s Day and cooperate with the Stephens County Historical Museum,” said Loafman. “We’re more than happy to open to go along with the museum.”
The museum, which is located in Fuqua Park, will be also be open Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. Founder’s Day serves as a fundraiser for the museum that does not charge for entry.
“Founder’s Day is important for the museum,” said Pee Wee Cary, SCHM curator. “We use the money to help keep the doors open.”
Cary and his wife Marion are the ones who organize the Founder’s Day events that include the Founder’s Day Queen crowning event and the Founder’s Day home tour.
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