Glenn House makes room for donations

The wooden bed in the upstairs River Room of the Glenn House looks as though it was made for the space.

In truth, the bed and several other pieces of furniture are recent additions to the historical mansion, part of a legacy left to the Historical Association of Greater Cape Girardeau, Inc. by Cape Girardeau philanthropist B.W. Harrison.

Harrison, who died in September, donated beds, a chest, desk and other antique furniture to the historical society. He also bequeathed $25,000 to the organization, though only the interest off the money can be spent.

Over the past month, furniture that had been on loan for use in the Glenn House was removed and replaced with the Harrison furniture.

"We wished to have furniture we owned here," said Paulette Cotner, tour coordinator at the museum. "Not that this would have happened, but furniture on loan can be taken out at any time."

Aside from the new furniture, more obvious changes are also taking place.

Cotner said restoration of the home's front entry continues through funds provided by the city of Cape Girardeau.

The historical association has used a large portion of the $31,000 left over from the city's tourism tax on motels and restaurants to improve to the exterior of the home, including restoration of the front retaining wall, painting and chimney repairs.

The historical association is also in the process of renovating a carriage house behind the museum. The upstairs of the building will likely become a small apartment for a groundskeeper to live in.

The first floor of the carriage house may be renovated into a meeting room that could be rented out.

cmiller@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 128