Jackson Heritage Association offers more visitors through partnerships

Visitors to the upcoming Oliver House Museum open house at 224 East Adams St. in Jackson will enjoy the added attraction of the period gardens, named for Marie Watkins Oliver, who lived in the house with her husband, Sen. Robert B. Oliver, until 1898. Tours are available from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday.

The gardens were created through a partnership between the Cape County Master Gardeners and the Jackson Heritage Association, launching a five-year restoration project of the gardens. The project is named for Marie Oliver, who designed the Missouri state flag, and is funded by a "Good Neighbor" grant from State Farm Insurance Cos.

A variety of plants were grown from heirloom seeds at Southeast Missouri State University greenhouses under the direction of Denise Pingel, who coordinated efforts of the Master Gardeners and SEMO horticulture students. The flowers include love-in-a-mist, hyacinth bean, primrose, love-lies-bleeding, maiden's feather vine; or herbs, including sheep's sorrel, German chamomile, feverfew, and lemon balm.

A century old "Red" quilt will be accepted by the Jackson Heritage Association from Jackson resident Ruth Illers, who received the quilt after her mother, Mae Keisker, died in 1992.

The quilt was made for Alvin Ueleke, born around 1902, by his mother, Bertha Ueleke of Jackson. Bertha and her husband, Henry A. Ueleke, owned a jewerly store on West Main Street in uptown Jackson for many years. When Bertha Ueleke died, her sister, Emma Karger, gave the quilt to Iller's mother.

Iller said at the time it was made, about 1901, there were a lot of red or white quilts made. "I donated it for display at the Oliver House because it is unique and I wanted to share it with those who may be interested in the Jackson Heritage Association," Iller said.