Sperry House Annual Dinner

Enter to win a chance to "Dine in 1890s style." Currently, "Dinner at the Sperry House" raffle tickets are available at the Kandi Museum. Tickets are $5.00 each. On October 26th, four lucky couples will be served walleye from the 19th Avenue Grill and Lounge and buffalo from J&L Ranch in the Sperry House dining room. The winners will be drawn at the KCHS on October 21, 2007 at 3:30 pm.

Kandiyohi County Historical Society
610 NE Hwy 71
Willmar, MN 56201
phone: 320.235.1881

A bit about the Sperry House

Willmar's only historic house that is open to the public. It was built in 1893 by Albert H. and Jennie Sperry. A.H. Sperry, born 1840, lived there until his death in 1917. He was a pioneer settler, soldier during and after the Dakota Conflict of 1862, farmer, and businessman. Jennie Wilson Sperry, teacher and housewife, lived here into the 1920s and in other Willmar residences until her death, at age 92 in 1953.

The house has been maintained by the Historical Society since 1970 after the death of Bryan, the Sperry's youngest son who resided there. The downstairs rooms were partially restored and opened to the public in 1976, with Grace Sperry Redfield, Albert and Jennie's daughter serving as a hostess.

As a museum showing turn-of-the-century home life in Kandiyohi County, the house showcases selected items from the museum collections. A few pieces -- the bedroom set, sewing rocker, china, doll buggy, and some other items -- were originally in the Sperry family. The portrait of Wm. Jennings Bryan in the hall is also original; Bryan Sperry was named after him.

The year 2003, the 110-year anniversary of the house, marked a "new beginning" for the building, as a five-year restoration project began. The asphalt roof was replaced with cedar, as it was in 1893, and the project continued with tuck-pointing, sidewalks, and other improvements. The porches will be restored this year. The restoration is funed by the City of Willmar, donations, and fund-raisers.

All information courtesy of:

Kandiyohi County Historical Society
610 NE Hwy 71
Willmar, MN 56201
320.235.1881

Vist them on the web: www.kandimuseum.com