We arrived in Beaumont, Texas last evening located very near the Texas Boarder which it shares with Louisiana.
Today we visited the town of Orange which is a 35 minute drive from our RV Park. Its a very historical town. Below is the magnificant home of W.H. Stark and his wife Miriam Lutcher Stark who spent a lifetime collecting rare and unique decorative objects. Miriam Melissa Lutcher moved to Orange with her parents, Henry Jacob Lutcher and Frances Ann Lutcher, in the late 1870s. Henry Jacob Lutcher was co-owner of the Lutcher and Moore Lumber Company. He and his wife Frances began a philanthropic dynasty that continues to benefit the Orange community today.
In 1881 Miriam M. Lutcher married William Henry Stark, who made his fortune in banking, oil, rice, insurance, and the regional timber industry. They moved into their home in 1894 and occupied it until 1936. They were passionate collectors. Their son H.J. Lutcher Stark grew up influenced by their lifetime dedication to philanthropy and the arts.
When the Stark family moved into their new home, W.H. Stark was forty-three, Miriam was thirty-five, and their son Lutcher was seven. They were the only family to inhabit the house. When W.H. and Miriam Stark died in 1936, Lutcher Stark closed the house. It was vacant until 1970 when restoration began. Restoration to the era of 1894 continued for ten years, and the house was opened as a house museum for public tours on February 10, 1981.
Architecturally it is classified in the Queen Anne architectural style.
Among the many places to visit in Orange is the First Presbyterian Church which is an amazing building.
There are many place to see visit in this city including the Blue Elbow Swamp which is part of Tony Housman and Wildlife Management Area.
Tomorrow we head off to Baton Rouge.
Cheers,
Beverley and Ross
No comments:
Post a Comment