A 2-day fund-raiser organized by the Hormel Historic Home restoration committee was a success.

On Monday and Tuesday, the Hormel Historic Home was filled to capacity as guests enjoyed luncheon, a style show and the opportunity to inspect progress made in the restoration project.

Masuka Mgambo of Kenya headlined the parade of models showing the latest spring fashions.

Among

the other models were those wearing fashions from Gretchen's and Ego.

"Project Rejuvenation" began last fall, when a dinner fund-raiser was held September 11, 2001.

According to organizers, the project was undertaken partly in response to more visitors coming to Austin and the need to preserve history passed down from the city's most famous family, Geo. A. and Lillian Hormel, founders of the company that bears their name, and their son Jay C. Hormel, his wife Germaine

(DuBois) and their family.

Located at the corner of 4th Avenue and

2nd Street Northwest, the Hormel Historic

Home was constructed in 1871 by

John Cook, a former mayor of Austin.

In 1901, Geo. A. and Lillian Hormel purchased the home. their only son, Jay Catherwood Hormel, was eight years old when he moved into the home. He lived there with his parents until he was 18 and entered the U.S. Army to serve in World War I.. In 1926, he became president of the company his father founded.

A year later, Geo. A. and Lillian moved to California and Mrs. Hormel decided the family's home should become a Young Women's Christian Association facility.

The Minnesota Historical Society placed the residence on the State Register of Historic Sites in 1981.

A year later it was named to the national Register of Historic Places.

Now, the Hormel Historic Home, Inc. is a treasure for tourists and locals alike.

It's Italinate-style architecture is still admired and the home has become a popular meeting place for clubs and organizations and also hosts private family milestones plus business functions.

Since the opening of the Spam Museum by Hormel Foods Corporation, interest continues to grow in the city's connection to the Hormel family and the mansion has become a "must-see" stop on tourists' itineraries.

The goals of Project Rejuvenation include opening the home's second floor to tours and developing a garden space for all to enjoy on the east lawn.

Pat Ray is heading the restoration project and directing the efforts of both individuals and valuable business restores such s Bellita Schindler of Belita's Interiors.

The home's board of directors and Evie Mohrfeld, executive director, hope to attract even more weddings, receptions, parties, showers and other family events.

At this week's second fund-raiser, 150 attended the luncheon and style show Monday and Tuesday. Over 70 volunteers made it a event they won't forget.

It was an opportunity for all to see up-close

the efforts of a core group of 25 volunteers, working diligently to sort through family photos and other artifacts, paint and paper, clean and polish and otherwise restore the home

According to the restoration organizers, citizens continue to come forward with new information about the Hormel family. The result will be even more historical displays when the project is complete.

While the massive interior work goes on daily, citizens will see a transformation on the lawn near the carriage house as the garden project progresses. The ambitious project has been aided by the contributions of many local businesses, but citizens may also help.

Commemorative bricks may be purchased for $100 each to honor a loved one

For more information, contact Mohrfeld at

433-4243.