05/29/2026
đ Henryâs House Report
The week started with the kind of energy that makes even a small mouse want to get to work. Between building repairs, new arrivals, and the incredible scent of fresh lavender, the 1820 Col. Benjamin Stephenson House has been a busy place.
A Grand New Door
Early in the week, Gary Dyer and David Peel got to work replacing the front door. It wasn't the original historic door, but a replacement from the early-2000s restoration that had unfortunately started to rot and show its age. Gary hand-crafted a beautiful new oak door that is incredibly solidâwhen he andDavid carried it inside, their heavy footsteps and grunts echoed down the hallway like a drumroll. They also fixed up the rotting frame, blending their work so perfectly that you'd never know it was repaired. Henry gave it a close inspection (nose right up to the paint) and officially gave it the "mouse-approved" stamp of quality.
Lucyâs Magnolia Gets Her Crown
That same day, Nick from Arbor Management and his crew came out to install the canopy support and limb cradles for Lucy Stephensonâs magnolia tree. One of its massive old branches had started to sag, but these new supports will keep the historic tree standing proud for a long time. Henry is a huge fan of the new cradleâitâs the perfect vantage point for people-watching in the courtyard and, even better, for spotting crumbs dropped by visitors.
New Faces in the House
The museum has two great summer interns joining the team:
Dibri Maassen, a University of Missouri student working on dual degrees in History and Anthropology with a focus on cultural studies and preservation.
Brian Davitz, who just graduated from SIUE with a bachelor's in History and is ready to swap the textbooks for hands-on experience.
Henry has already sized them up and decided they both look like promising crumb-droppers.
A Feast for a Cause
Peel Wood Fire Pizza hosted a Dine & Donate night to support the House. Henry couldnât go (turns out mice aren't allowed in restaurants), but RoxAnn brought back some leftovers. The prosciutto involtinis got his absolute highest praiseâa big thumbs-up (or tiny paws up) to everyone who went out to grab dinner and support the museum!
Jewels Ball Preparations
The Jewels Ball committee is busy ironing out all the final details for next monthâs big gala. Thanks to EHS, they received a massive donation of beautiful decorationsâso many that Brian and Dibri had to build a spreadsheet just to keep track of everything. Henry and Nellie are already dreaming about being named the Diamonds of the Ball, though Henry is still wondering if the crowns come in mouse sizes.
Lavender Season
The Hidcote lavender burst into bloom this week, filling the garden with bright purple color and an amazing scent. Amy, RoxAnn, and Dibri gathered last yearâs dried bundles from the kitchen rafters, cleaned off the old buds, and hung up the fresh harvest to dry. The kitchen smells incredible right nowâso good, in fact, that Henry curled up for a nap inside the cheesecloth wrapping the bundles. Heâs calling it the best bed in the entire House.
đ Henryâs Observations of the Week
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Oak doors are heavy, but history is heavier.
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Lucyâs magnolia tree wears her new supports like jewelry.
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Interns bring great energyâand great crumbs.
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Pizza nights should always include prosciutto involtinis.
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Lavender bundles make the absolute best beds.
Henry is wrapping up the week feeling proud of his home and excited for everything coming up in June. The House is fully alive with history, hard work, and the unmistakable scent of summer.
