2014 Perkins Ice Cream Social could be the last

After 42 years, this could be the final Perkins House Ice Cream Social.

With just a little more than a week until the annual event the Whitman County Historical Society board recently discussed discontinuing the social and closing the Perkins House to tours because of lack of volunteers and house tour guides, according to Cheryl Kammerzell, board member.

This year’s Ice Cream Social will be next Sunday, June 29, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Perkins House. Food, including ice cream, music and house tours will be available during that time.

Kammerzell said more local house tour guides are needed to keep the 128-year-old house open to visitors. Kammerzell said no one responded after a plea for more guides in April.

“If no one will volunteer, the house will be closed,” she said. “We will maintain it, but it will not be open for any more tours.”

Lisa Christensen is a relative newcomer to Colfax, moving here about five years ago. She said she recently became involved with the historical society last spring.

“I would love to see more activities at the Perkins House,” she said. “The community doesn’t seem to recognize the value of this old house.

“The house is a beautiful example of how middle class America started out,” she said. “I wish people here would appreciate it.”

She also knows more volunteers are needed.

“People need to give a little of their time,” she said. “The board is not asking for a lot of time commitment. They might want a volunteer for one Sunday every six weeks or something. Now the same people carry all the weight.”

The Perkins House, built in 1886 by Colfax founder James Perkins, has long been a treasure in Colfax. The house was the center of Colfax society between 1886 and 1920. A cabin on the grounds, built in 1870, is the oldest standing building in Whitman County.

In April Kammerzell said the lineup of guides has become nonexistent. She said then that 15 to 20 house tour guides would be ideal because the house could be open spring through fall and no one would have to devote a lot of time to guide the tours of the house.

The public is welcome to volunteer for the house tour guide, or docent, positions. Job descriptions and applications are available on the historical society’s web site.

The historical society board hopes the Perkins House could eventually be open for weddings and other social events. Whenever the house is open for an event, a docent must be present.

Tour guide duties include greeting visitors, giving tours of the house and answering questions about the house, cabin, furnishings, implements and area. The guides also do general cleaning, check the gardens and refer guests to other county and historical activities and resources.

Guides can either wear business-style clothing or period clothing.

Qualifications and education requirements include membership in the Whitman County Historical Society, must be more than 18 years old, personable and must be able to climb stairs. House tour guides will receive training about the history of the house.

The house also needs a lot of work. It needs a new roof, which could cost $40,000, and the historical society is searching for grants to cover the costs.

More restorations are also needed on the old house. In the near future the foundation on the south side of the house and the kitchen porch must be repaired. The house also needs rewiring.