A Joslyn Castle Publication Spring 2016 The Joslyn Library The Joslyn Castle is privileged to own an important cultural artifact: Sarah Joslyn’s house inventory written around 1906, containing a detailed list of some three hundred books once in the Joslyns’ personal library. In the days before mass communication the library was the greatest cultural and practical resource in the house. An examination of its contents not only assists us in understanding the planning and day-to-day running of the estate, but how the Joslyns spent their leisure time, what their aspirations were, and how they fostered their spiritual growth. Clusters of books on a single theme taken in conjunction with anecdotal and written recollections allow us to take a further step towards imagining them as flesh and blood. In the next few issues of the Castle Watch we will be exploring aspects of the Joslyns’ interests. The first article appears on page three. Look for additional facets of their interests in future issues. TABLE OF CONTENTS A message from the Joslyn Castle Board President George Kleine ................2 BOARD OF DIRECTORS CASTLE GUILD BOARD A message from the Executive Director George Kleine, Jeanie Owen, Gina Primmer .............................2 President President A Message from the Guild President Nate Bronson, Ann Blunk, Treasurer Jeanie Owen ..............................2 Treasurer Ron Crampton, Welcome New Board Member Bill Gallup .........2 VP Grounds Polo Davis, Advisor Polo Davis A Peek into the Shelves of the Joslyn Library......3 Catherine Demes Maydew, Annette Huff, Let’s Get Down To Business ..................4 VP Programming Recording Secretary Castle Gift Shop 2.0 ........................4 Bill Gallup Julie Jurgensen, Mary Jewell, Assistant Social There is no Volunteer without ‘U’ ...............4 President-Elect Teddi Kennedy, Spring Garden Report Ric Klaas VP Fundraising from Volunteer Diane Harder ..................5 Sharon McGill, Maureen Lee, Eugene Kingman – Inspiring a New Generation ....5 Secretary Membership Jeanie Owen, Scenes from Last Winter .....................6 Guild Representative Sharon McGill, It was ‘Time to Kill’ at the Joslyn Castle ..........7 Francie Prier Annual Luncheon Chair Building Your Own Legacy at Joslyn Castle .......8 Joan Standifer Cyndy Peacock, Matt Wegener, Publicity Joslyn Castle Unlocked ......................8 VP Property Management Edi Pierce, The Joslyn Castle Experience .................8 VP Education Love’s at the Castle .........................9 ADVISORY COUNCIL Francie Prier, David Ambrose Joslyn Castle 2016 Garden Lecture Series .......9 Advisor Brad Ashford Sneak Peek! ..............................9 Jackie Quigley, Doug Bisson Corresponding Secretary 2016 Joslyn Castle Classic ...................9 Carol Gendler George Haecker Suzanne Shehan-Ames, Calendar of Events ........................10 VP Social Margie Heller Omaha Gives! .....................Back Cover Judy Thesing, Tim Holland Introducing Castle Friends ............Back Cover Mary Jewell Fundraising Assistant David Levy Monte Thompson, B. J. Reed Silent Auction Chair Connie Spellman Laura Worick, Bryan Zimmer President Elect STAFF Gina Primmer, Mary Parrish, Executive Director Reservations & Receivables Martin Digiacomo, Penelope Smith, Facilities Assistant Archivist Trevor King, Tessa Thompson, Director of Buildings & Grounds Events & Communications Assistant Sherri Moore, Amy Trenolone, Director of Events Director of Marketing & Development page 1 www.joslyncastle.com A MESSAGE FROM THE A MESSAGE FROM THE JOSLYN CASTLE BOARD PRESIDENT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR GEORGE KLEINE GINA PRIMMER It is very exciting to be part of something that is Planning this issue of Castle Watch gave much bigger than yourself. As far back as 1990, I me goosebumps. I think you’ll share in my was intrigued by the mystery of the Joslyn Castle excitement as we reach back in time and take a and started off volunteering as a tour guide. Like the look at Sarah Joslyn’s core beliefs through her smell of fresh waffles and bacon, I was hooked. In personal library, philanthropic donations, hobbies, 2003, I was invited to serve on the Board of directors and volunteer activities. This remarkable woman and the grandeur and history of the Castle captured helped define what it means to be an Omahan even more of my attention. For those of us who love still today. the Castle dearly we constantly ask ourselves, “How do we make this place relevant today?” If one stops We are also introducing new programs and projects that perfectly marry and listens, it is telling us. the legacy of George and Sarah Joslyn with modern interests. Have The story of the Castle is a fascinating saga. It was originally built to be you ever wondered how our gardeners keep the grounds so beautiful the “mansion of mansions,” home to the social elite, a home sought to throughout the seasons? Check out our Garden Lecture Series and find be invited to. After Sarah Joslyn’s death, the Castle became empty and out how you can apply the same skills to your own homes. Does your stark before finally being converted to an office building. For the next fifty business need a venue to hold a retreat, celebration, or meeting? Come years, the Castle was a place for thinking and moving forward as the home to the Castle and be surrounded by the lavish beauty that inspired George to Omaha Public Schools. After their departure, the grounds became and Sarah Joslyn to be their best. dilapidated, and the Castle was once again stark and this time headed for You will also read about some special people who have spent countless demolition. Then restoration began, slow and steady, as we now work to bring it back to its original grandeur. hours at the Castle volunteering over the years. These dedicated folks never cease to amaze us with their selfless commitment to doing whatever Now the Castle and grounds are a place of celebration and discussion it takes for the staff and visitors. Maybe this is the year you’d like to join where ideas can be shared and new beginnings and connections occur. It them by volunteering in our gardens, at an event, as a tour guide, or is a special place to share those intimate moments in life with friends and simply helping out on a random day lending us your special talents. We’d family. It is a place of solitude to think and marvel at what the world can love to see you around! be. It is a place of adventure from across the ages. A little slice of heaven, I may add. The history of the Castle is one of never-ending details and challenges, changing and growing, stepping back and moving forward; and, always A MESSAGE FROM THE thinking about what it will become. Much like we may often ask ourselves as we grow throughout life. That is why I keep coming back to the Castle GUILD PRESIDENT and invite you to come join our adventure. JEANIE OWEN You can get involved. You can donate your resources – of your time or I am thrilled to start a new year as president of treasure. You can be part of the adventure of growing at Joslyn Castle. Come join us. the Joslyn Castle Guild. We are passionate about supporting this community treasure, and our new officers bring a wealth of management and fundraising experience to help us achieve our goals. NEW BOARD MEMBER We are fortunate to welcome them! BRINGS LIFE-LONG FASCINATION WITH CASTLES TO THE TABLE The Guild continues to work on various projects throughout the Castle, using the funds from our Many Omahans know new Joslyn Castle board member events to complete critical repairs. This year we are returning the second Bill Gallup because of his 52-year law practice in the and third floor restrooms to working order. This will improve the rental area. As a prosecutor after his graduation from Creighton business for the Castle, which is a crucial source of operating funding, and University Law School in 1964 and now more than four decades as a will bring us one step closer to restoring the beautiful home to its original criminal defense attorney, his cases are often among those that wind up on splendor. the front page. The annual Castle Guild luncheon and garden tour will be held June 16, a What you probably don’t know about Bill is that he has had a fascination with Castles since his childhood. His interest was piqued growing up perfect time to enjoy the beautiful grounds of the Castle. Guests will see in Toronto, Canada, near Casa Loma, an exquisite early-1900’s Castle Nebraska’s largest English Oak tree and the location of the Joslyns’ pools that both paid homage to days gone by and featured the most modern and ponds. Tickets are $40, and Guild members are able to bring a guest architectural and mechanical advances of the time. Gallup recalls exploring for free, encouraging new membership and showcasing our work to other underground tunnels between the buildings and dreaming the dreams that members of the community. only such a magnificent place can inspire in a child. Save the date for our Fourth Annual Holiday Home Tour this fall, November After Gallup’s family moved to the United States and he was drafted into 11 and 12. Thursday, November 10, will be our preview and patron the service as a young adult, he continued to take every opportunity he party. The home tours will open to the public November 11 and 12, and could to see some of the world’s great Castles. the Castle will once again host vendors from around the country to sell “I tried to see any castle that I could when I was on leave all over Europe,” their wares to shoppers. The number and variety of vendors continues to he said. “It’s been one beautiful way to learn about history.” expand. We are so grateful to all who participate in the boutique.