Improvements go on at Cape's Red House

While it may have opened in November, the Red House Interpretive Center still has a way to go before it reaches completion. But progress is being made.

One of the most visible improvements is a new Red House sign made by local artist Tim Roth. There are also two new interpretive signs that give an explanation of the Red House. A sprinkler system for the gardens was recently installed and some garden walkways have been completed.

The Red House, at 128 S. Main St., is a re-creation of the trading post owned by city founding father Louis Lorimier and houses exhibits about Lorimier and the explorers Lewis and Clark. Merriwether Lewis visited Lorimier in Cape Girardeau on Nov. 23, 1803.

According to Jane Jackson, chairwoman of the Red House Interpretive Center Board, the Red House has received more than 4,000 visitors since its opening. During the Fourth of July weekend, 128 people visited the Red House, and sometimes it receives 60 or 70 visitors a day when the riverboats stop at Cape Girardeau.

"We're very pleased with the number of people who have gone through and we're really pleased the community is reaching out and bringing people from out of town," Jackson said.

Early stages

Some in the community have also reached out as volunteers.

Members of the Rose Hill Garden Club are in charge of the design, implementation and maintenance of the Red House gardens.

Garden club member Bonnie Kipper said they received a $2,600 grant from the Principal Financial Group and a $4,000 grant from the Missouri Department of Conservation to help pay for the gardens, which are still in the early stages of construction.

"We thought we'd come down, get in the dirt and plant a garden," Kipper said. "We haven't seen anything green yet. The foundation part has taken up a lot more time than we anticipated."

Once done, likely sometime this fall, the gardens should give visitors an idea of what a garden during Lorimier's time might have looked like.

One side of the Red House will have an arbor with a plant like wisteria growing over it, while the side near Main Street will have four raised beds with wormwood, lamb's ear, St. John's wort, sage and rosemary.

There is also work being done inside the Red House. The shutters and the front porch are being completed and a glass ceiling will be installed in the north room so people can look up and see how the roof is constructed.

Another room will become open to the public once the other projects are completed. The room now serves as storage for building materials but will become a place where visitors can view videos about the building of the Red House and the re-creation of Lewis' visit to Cape Girardeau that the city put on in November.

The interior projects are 98 percent finished, according to Jackson. "I'm thinking in a month or two it will be done," she said.

Looking for friends

Jackson said the community has been an essential part of the Red House's creation and ongoing improvements. She also hopes they will be a part of the Red House's future by becoming a Friend of the Red House.

Since the program started in January, 54 people have joined and $9,325 has been raised.

This is still far away from the program's goal of raising $100,000 to pay for future repairs.

"We know at some point we'll have to repair the porch and the roof. We're trying to prepare for the future," Jackson said.

People interested in becoming a Friend of the Red House can contact the Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department at 335-5421.

"We hope people who think the Red House is special will help us make sure it's here for another 100 years," Jackson said.

kalfisi@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182