Well it’s done. I have been working on this for 2 months, and it has been rolling around in my mind for 6 months. Friday was the day, to load up the 25 or so tote bags and 3 suitcases into the car, and take them to the church, for our annual meeting of Questers throughout the state.

The task? Create 10 different table scapes for the 60″ round tables. All from the book “It Happened in Nebraska”. Using antiques and period appropriate items.

Not everything fit in my car, so I had to enlist the husband to load up his truck, and follow me to Bellevue NE. My daughter was able to take the day off and help. I am so thankful for her ease, willingness to take direction, do the grunt labor, and calm the waters.

I had prefaced this installation, so all the members knew it was going to be a lot. At our last meeting, I had said “it will look like I am moving in”.

The book written by a delightful Tammy Partsch, sparked the imagination. A couple of phone calls, and lunch down in Nebraska City where Tammy lives, she had agreed to be our keynote speaker. To make it even more special we were honored to have the International President of Questers in attendance, Daphne Davis, she had a wonderful talk as well.

This little book, that is an easy read, taught me I hadn’t scratched the surface of NE lore. It has been my constant companion for last little while.

I wanted events from across the state to be represented. Did you know there was an Orphan Train that came from New York thru Nebraska dropping homeless children all along the way, giving pioneers and settlers an opportunity to adopt children into their family. Some to help on the farm or with domestic chores.

My brother in law loaned me a train and this print to help fill out this table. A pair of antique leather shoes picked up in MN and a borrowed photograph album complete the mood.

A table representing Homesteading, John Brown’s Cave and the Mayhew Cabin (the property where the enslaved people were able to rest their head, while traveling the Underground Railroad.) Turned out to be one of my favorites. I placed it as the first table you would see upon entering the room.

An antique wicker suitcase, acted as a framework to add things to represent all three themes. A large flag scarf draped over the suitcase adds softness and keeps the eye moving over the table scape. A cloche with a “log cabin” is elevated to clear the sides of the suitcase with a book underneath, an 18th Century tin lantern, powder horn, carpet ball. Documents and Uncle Sam all help to enhance the story. Including a grasshopper infestation creating a sense of time and place.

I AM A MAN tells the story of Standing Bear and the 14th Amendment. This too turned into a favorite. I had no Native American artifacts, so a purchase of an antique teepee, doll, and moccasins was a must. Then I found a cute woven basket at our thrift shop, all worked perfectly placed in a lantern. Then at the last minute one of our members brought in some Native American items. My daughter used them to fill out this table and create magic. With just a bit of tweaking we called it good. So proud of her.

The Hand Planted Forrest was a table about Trees. Traveling the Oregon Trail out in Western NE there were no trees. The NE Sand Hills are as described. No building materials for the settlers coming from the east. Houses were built of sod. J Sterling Morton recognized the issue and on his own property in Nebraska City in the eastern part of the state started planting apple orchards. I’ve always said “Johnny Appleseed ran out of seeds when he hit the Missouri River!” Dr Charles Bessey a Botany Professor at the University of NE experimented with planting trees in the Sand Hills and it worked! There is much more story there, get the book!

On a cold January day a pop up blizzard faced the 19 year old teacher, and her students in a one room sod school house.

After the roof collapsed she was forced to guide her kids thru the blizzard 1/2 mile away. Fighting thick snow and heavy winds, she managed to make it to her boarding house, and all children were safe. Grounded with a quilt, a lantern and a dolls chair act as the focal point for all things school. Including snow!!!

“He Aint Heavy He’s my Brother” tells the story of Father Flanagan’s Home for Boys. My grandmothers hymnal rests on a pedestal with a cross, Challice, and bible. My French Altar sticks came in handy for this table.

You know how you buy a book for decor, and maybe don’t ever open it. While preparing for this task I picked up this journal to move it out of the way. I happened to open it and found it was filled with church notes! Not Catholic but close enough. I knew it would tuck well under the pedestal and a sprinkling of Boystown post cards and boys shoes round out the look.

In preparation, I had everything labeled with a tag. Some tables had multiple tote bags. I had taken many photos of every table as a map. All of my fellow Questers grabbed a buddy and chipped in to set the tables. In the end all I had to do was a bit of tweaking. We were out of the venue in 3 hours.

The next day everyone did their part to create a memorable State Days. The overwhelming response was best State Days ever. I am so proud of the talent that we have in our chapter and the diversity of the group. Everyone has their niche’ and when push came to shove, everyone was willing to step out of their comfort zone and help me set up the tables. This project was an absolute joy for me, and the fact that it was so well received, well that’s everything. Tell me what you think. Have you tackled a project like this one? I would love to see your photos.

Thanks for stopping

Shelley