My heart is a little broken,
I wish I was not so Sentimental.
There going to tear down my Maternal Grandparents home
to build something new. It may not happen tomorrow but it is going to happen.
to build something new. It may not happen tomorrow but it is going to happen.
They lived in Booth House
from 1945-1965
It sits on the grounds of Eastern IL University in Charleston
The home is a duplex and it was owned by
Mary Josephine Booth
she was a librarian at Eastern Illinois University
she even has a Wikipedia page.
She donated a great deal of money to the school and the
Library is named after her, but I think it is a travesty that
they would tear down another piece of history,
her home.
My Grandparents lived their starting during WWII
and until Ms. Booth's death in 1965.
She left the home to the University
I have some of her things, a poetry book, a sterling silver serving spoon, things she gave to my Grandmother. She was a sweet woman to us.
My Grandparents lived their starting during WWII
and until Ms. Booth's death in 1965.
She left the home to the University
I have some of her things, a poetry book, a sterling silver serving spoon, things she gave to my Grandmother. She was a sweet woman to us.
Why am I so sad
My first memories of Christmas is there
My first memories of birthdays were there
My only memories of my Great Grandparents is there
I remember 4th of July there. because the fireworks were a block away at the EIU football field
My first dog even, Friskey
My first dog even, Friskey
After my Mom died in 2002, I was wandering and my cousin wanted to go to the EIU campus so we did.
Some how I wandered into Booth House. It houses offices now.
As I entered I was welcomed, when I told them why I was there,
they let me walk through the entire place. They wanted to hear the stories of when the building was
a "home".
The huge staircase I remember as wide and varnished to a slick shine was now small.
I can remember wanting to climb it an being told "no"
As I looked at the mantle and bookcase I thought of my Grandmother's things that were once there.
My Grandmother's bedroom I remember as being so large that it held her bed and my crib was so tiny
I remembered the attic, it seemed huge and it had a wooden platform I thought was great for dancing
I can remember taking a bath in the pink bathtub, it had pink and black tiles
I can remember taking a bath in the pink bathtub, it had pink and black tiles
The screened in porch was my favorite, it was off the living room and oh how my brother loved it when it was warm enough for us to play out there.
I think when most of your loved ones are gone, all you have to hold on to is
the memories that bring you the happy and warm feeling, like they are giving you a hug.
The thoughts of Booth House make me feel that way.
So the memories of
Eastern Star meetings
Book lovers club meetings
Easter
4th of July
Thanksgiving
Christmas
Birthdays
will now just live in the pictures I hold dear to my heart.
But the most cherished is my Mom and Dad
Their wedding reception
August 10, 1947
Booth House
Rest in Peace Booth House,
you were loved.
