I was finally able to get together with Mr. Parker, the man who heads up the organization trying to restore the old Trinity University property. It was truly awesome to see the interior, you could imagine the history that took part within the walls. They have a facebook page and are always looking for grants and donations. The whole undertaking is done strictly on donations. They have no debt in the restoration. Projects are completed as they raise money, which I thought was amazing. He has been a part in this process for 20 years and over that time they have spent $600,000, mainly in correcting foundations, structural, and engineering issues. I could see the possibilities as he was describing their hopes for the future of the restoration. The Great Hall on the second floor was breathtaking, even in the current state. I could envision amazing wedding ceremonies and receptions held there. The whole tour was fascinating and intimate, as he took the time to personally walk my parents, my daughter, and me through the buidling. The tour comes to a close in a front room that has been completed. It holds an array of artifacts and salvaged pieces from the Building's history. The photos of students and documents to show classes and prices were so neat to look at. I found it interesting to learn, for a time there was a flat rate for families to have all of their children attend college. After a short time though the special rate was discontinued because so many children would be sent from individual families. After taking a few more pictures we left the building the way we came in. Though we were obviously above ground it felt very much like we were in a deep cellar. The temperature outside was atleast 100 degrees that day, but the interior in the main hallway felt atleast 78 or 79. He assured us that there was no air conditioning and that the thick stone walls went several feet into the ground and accounted for the cooler temperature on the first floor. We exited the buidling and thanked him for letting us see the inside of the building. He said of course and went back to sitting on the screened in porch of the old house on the property. I was glad we were finally able to mesh our schedules. I hope if you have any contacts that would be interested in this restoration endevor you can pass on the word. It is so disheartening to know what a stoic piece of history is just sitting, not nearly at its' potential. Thanks for checking it out.
Kerrie my next door neighbor told me a little bit about what it was like growing up in one of the other houses on the property. The house directly across from the original house is where she now lives. It had been broken up into two separate homes, the other which is about two hundred yards away being rented. Though running water was installed with at least one faucet across the way in the fifties they didn't have running water and indoor plumbing until 1962 in the house she lives in. She walked me around the back of the house to show me where THE OUTHOUSE was. There was also no formal kitchen in that house. When they prepared meals at the larger home the whole family would join in, I found that very interesting. I think it also comments on the difference between then and now. Food was prepared meal by meal, it brought families together, and unhealthy diets, food grazing at leisure was just not an option for people. This family style dining seemed to be an arrangement of necessity not choice, but I imagine it did provide time to bond and an experience many don't have today.
This is where the outhouse was nearly fifty years ago. The board on the tree was the anchor.
