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Antique enthusiasts like helping, too
A local non-profit group with an interest in antiques and historic preservation is on the lookout for possible projects in the area.
The Fort Scott chapter of the Questers, an international organization founded more than 60 years ago, that focuses on learning about antiques and also promotes the preservation and restoration of memorials, historical buildings and landmarks, was formed about one year ago.
The chapter currently has 10 members who meet once a month in a member's home between September and May, chapter president and Fort Scott resident Jan Boge said. The members frequently give talks on antiques or collectibles during those meetings.
The Questers live by the motto, "It's Fun to Search, and a Joy to Find."
The group is now seeking to plan fund raisers and conduct other projects in the community to allow the public to become more aware of the club. Money generated from fund raisers the group plans in the future, as well as dues paid by local members, will be used to help the chapter with planned projects, Boge said.
"The purpose (of the club) is to learn about antiques," she said. "We'll have some guest speakers from time to time, and we'll continue to promote research about antiques that people are interested in."
The group is also trying to help out when needed with various projects intended to spruce up Fort Scott for the holiday season. An example of the group's efforts occurred Dec. 1 when four chapter members, including Boge, chapter co-vice president Karen Kellenberger, secretary Teresa Bahr, and member Betty Lemons, met at the Fort Scott Public Library to adorn the 105-year-old building with wreaths and other decorations for the Christmas season.
Club members also plan to help clean the Fort Scott National Historic Site periodically, and participate in other needed community tasks as they look for various historical preservation and restoration projects to be involved in, Boge said.
The chapter currently has no projects planned, but will discuss possibilities at a future meeting, she said.
Since the local chapter only has limited funds to start out with, members will only take on smaller restoration and preservation projects in the future, and not large-scale projects such as buildings and other structures of substantial size, Boge said.
Boge said she is originally from Iowa, a state that contains several Questers chapters and many people who are very involved in the organization. Last year, Boge said she took the lead in starting up the local Questers chapter, called Old Fort Scott No. 1455.
"That's kind of the way it worked out," she said. "I was very excited about getting it started. Hopefully over the years we'll grow."
There are typically between eight and 30 members in each chapter who are collectors of antiques, collectibles, and other pieces of history. Members learn about antiques and historical items through books, libraries and friends.
Questers was founded in 1944 by Jessie Elizabeth Bardens, a Red Cross production worker who, along with her co-workers, started a discussion group about antiques. The concept grew from there, and the organization now includes more than 15,000 members in more than 900 chapters in the United States and Canada. The organization conducts two state and provincial meetings each year, and an international convention each spring in a different location.
For more information about the local chapter of the Questers group, contact Boge at (620) 223-9823, or visit the organization's Web site at www.questers1944.org.