Our Road Trip Continued---The Odd Fellow's Hall

A few days ago (here), I posted about the "road trip" my friend Bonnie and I recently took. We left our homes in Independence, MO, and headed East on I-70.  

 Our main focus of interest for this trip (besides a well-deserved escape!) was to go to Troy, MO, and visit All About Home, a home accessories store, and the adjacent Oddfellows Cafe.  We had read about their recent opening through fellow blogger Pat of BACK PORCH MUSINGS.  We thought they sounded like wonderful places to visit----so we loaded up the car and left town!!

I shared in that recent post the wonderful restaurant and shop---today I will show you a bit of the old Odd Fellow's Lodge Hall located on the floor above the two businesses. 

Greg and his wife Lori own the building which house the businesses.   He honored us with a tour of the upper floor and former lodge hall---even though he was very busy with Saturday customers and the big vintage car show taking place on the street that runs in front of their building.

The Fraternal Order of the Odd Fellows used this upper level for many years to conduct their meetings.

We had to leave the shop and head outside to access the entrance to the old lodge hall.  Greg pointed out that when the lodge was in session, a lantern was hung on the hook by the door that led to the stairs.

 

 

After climbing the steep flight of stairs we walked into this amazing room.  I nearly gasped when I saw it.

It was huge! 

I had an instant memory from my childhood when I laid eyes on that enormous place. 

 When I was about five and my sister was around three, we were actually a part of a Rebekah Lodge installation of officers. One of mom's friends was a member and was becoming the highest ranking officer in the lodge--we had some part--I don't recall what it was, but it was pretty special because mom  made us long taffeta dresses and we were seated on each side of mom's friend who was being installed  (I'm afraid I do not know her title.) in a group photo of all of the ladies involved in the installation.

On with the tour- - - - - -

Greg said they had pulled up the carpet that covered the wood flooring and had the wiring updated.  It is just a "diamond in the rough".                                                               

This is a closer view of the amazing beams on the ceiling!

He pointed out the red glass light fixture in the middle of the ceiling.  He told us that when the light was on, during a lodge meeting, only the leader (I'm not certain about the proper title for that officer) could speak.  I thought, wow, I would love to have one of those in my house at times---of course, I would be the leader and in charge of flipping that switch!  Watch it!  The red light is on and I'M speaking.

 

We walked over to the windows you saw in a previous photo.  Greg raised a couple so we could get a view of the street and buildings from our vantage point.  See how PACKED the place was with vintage cars and visitors.

 

In the hall was this closet (one of two, I think).  They were fairly long, but certainly not very deep.  No rod for hanging coats---just hooks.

A nice display of vintage hats just outside of the main room. 

 

 The wood trim and doors in this place were beautiful. 

 

I forgot to ask Greg if these chairs were in the hall when they bought the building.

Another thing I should've asked him about---were these people involved with the lodge at one time?

This room was the kitchen area of the lodge.  Quite a great double sink!

The cupboard was built in and was filled with these vintage dishes when Greg and Lori became the owners.

I would love to know the kinds of food that had been served on these!

 

 

                                                                        

Whoa!  Those steps look much worse going down than going up!

We thoroughly enjoyed our day in Troy and especially our time spent with Greg and Lori in their cafe, shop and lodge hall.  Yes we loved our visit and food and tour AND our purchases!

 

 

And speaking of purchases, a few readers wanted to know just "what's in the sack?" when you saw us with our bags as we were leaving the store.

 

 

Here's my bag-----waiting for the unveiling of the buys. (Bonnie and I usually buy almost the SAME things when we shop, so her loot was pretty much identical to mine!)

 

Ta-Dah! 

 From left to right, we have a fall tray, a Halloween wreath or candle ring, my favorite new loves---BATTERY OPERATED CANDLES ---, a fall sprig and a Thanksgiving tray.

I will put this tray and the fall tray on plate stands in table top vignettes---I just loved the pictures on them.  It's hard to find a neat turkey!!!

 

 

A friend introduced me to flameless candles a couple of years ago and I have really learned to love them.

  They don't take the place of real ones, but if you need a spot to have a bit of flickering glow, they do the trick.

I became more of a fan of them after one of my friends had her home severely damaged by a fire caused from an unattended votive candle.

These candles have really increased in popularity and are becoming easier to find in all shapes, sizes and colors.                                                                  

I am always on the hunt for cute stands. I thought this one, because it is heavy, would be great to use at some of my sales.  I would put my business card in it---or just my name so folks could tell who to make checks out to.  (Gotta always be thinking about the ease of receiving payment!)

 

When I told  THE STONE RABBIT about how I was going to use the stand he showed me what HE wanted to see displayed in it! 

He just might be on to something!

 

DANA

Comments

[Pat]

Hi Dana, this is a wonderful post!

My mother was in Rebekahs. When I was 12, I was inducted into Theta Rho, which is/was the girls auxiliary to Rebekah's. That was my first formal, also.

I've really enjoyed your trip report!
Pat

[Darlene]

What a neat trip you had. I bet just seeing that huge building was fascinating! Love your purchases and I will have to try the flameless candles. Those turkey and fall trays will look great displayed in plate stands. Love them!!

[Alexandra]

I loved the amazing room, too. It reminded me of the ballet ballroom here...I so miss dancing right now!

Hope you're having a good week.
*hugs*

[Lynn @ theVintageNest]

I used to have two old movie chairs like the ones you show in my family room. I eventually sold them in my shop. I'd kill for a white cabinet like that especially with all the white dishes still in it. And I love your metal stand you bought. I want one of those. ~ Lynn

P.S. I am still laughing at your pink party. :)

[Susan M. Hickam]

Thanks for sharing your fun trip. It sounds like a fun place to visit.

[Jeanne]

Dana, I was gone all day so my posts are behind, again! This is beginning to be a pattern. I just have to quit being so busy. I enjoyed your trip info and photos of such interesting items. I especially love all of the vintage things in your photos.
I always think about the people that lived in an old house, etc. Their lives, and what they did holds a certain fascination for me. Now,about all those goodies you bought. Love them all. I love the turkey too.

Hugs, Jeanne

[Cathy Santarsiero]

Whoa, baby! Those stairs are making me dizzy just looking at them! Do those flameless candles release any sort of scent? Cat ^..^

[Kathy]

What a neat post! I really enjoyed seeing the old lodge hall and reading about some of it's history. Loved the hats and the sink! Your bag of goodies was divine! That stone rabbit certainly gets around!
Kathy

[Kathy]

I really enjoyed seeing the old lodge hall and reading about it's history. Loved the hats and the sink! Your bag of goodies was divine! That stone rabbit certainly gets around!
Kathy

[cherry]

Hi there...I got your email and need to read through it..I am a little tech. challenged. I love the story of the oddfellow hall. I use to be a Job's daughter and my grandparents belonged to just about every club or fellowship. I love your finds....love the trays. YUMMMMMY. I will try to figure this typepad and blog thing out. cherry

[Kim V]

Hi Dana! What a great place to visit and get a personal tour of! I love old buildings! My great-grandma had a very similar kitchen to the one you showed. I love all your purchases! You are right...it's hard to find a neat turkey! I remember, at my bridal shower, opening THE ugliest turkey platter you ever did see! Oh man! I sort of wish I kept it just because family and friends still talk about that platter today! LOL!
Hope you have a wonderful day! :)
Kim

[Pat]

Hi Dana!

The Odd Fellows Lodge was an interresting place to see. I think I'd like one of those lights on the ceiling that allows me to be the only one speaking too...lol! What does Greg plan to do with all that space?

Your purchases are all very nice...I love the turkey tray! I haven't tried the flameless candles as yet, but I agree they are much safer, and I that monkey card always makes me laugh...what a face...lol!
Enjoy seeing Mamma Mia again! :-) Are you tkaing the Stone Rabbit this time?
Hugs, Pat

[nola]

Thanks for the photos and the info on the lodge. I am a Rebekah, and I'd love to share this with my friends; I will direct them over here to your blog. Do you mind if I print out a hard copy of the info and photos?

[rue]

Hi Dana :)

I loved the rest of the tour. My very favorite part was the kitchen with that sink (Oh MY!) and the cabinet with the dishes (double oh MY!). Thank you for taking us with you :)

You found a lot of cute things too!

hugs,
rue

[Beverly]

Every girl needs a neat turkey - as opposed to a sloppy turkey. ;-)

I need to know more about the candles.

[Pennie]

I'd like to have a look at those dishes in that big ole cupboard :)

Looking forward to your PS post this week. We are going to see MM this weekend!

Take Care,
Pennie

[Wonders Never Cease]

Oh those trays are incredible!
And I would so enjoy that old lodge! The ceilings! The doors! What a special place!
Thanks for sharing your trip!
Becky

[Wonders Never Cease]

Oh those trays are incredible!
And I would so enjoy that old lodge! The ceilings! The doors! What a special place!
Thanks for sharing your trip!
Becky

[Mary]

Hi Dana - you have me laughing again and I must tell you that Jeanne and I were mentioning you last Sat. when we got together - we think you do the best and funniest things with your girlfriends!!! Love it all.

[Nancy @ My Crafty Little Page]

Those are the stairs of nightmares! Wouldn't it be fabulous to live in a loft space like that but downstairs? (Hmmm a downstairs loft? A bit of an oxymoron!)I just love the trays and the battery candles are great. :)Nancy

[Debbie]

There is nothing quite like a road trip with girlfriends to help us recharge our batteries! I often wish I had brought some 'Depends' with me when I am with my friends as we often start giggling, and full out belly laughing during our time together. Thanks for sharing your adventures.

[Alexandra]

Hi Dana. I hope you had a good week. *hugs*

[Jillian]

Great visit...I LOVE THE STAND!

Stop by...I'm celebrating my blogaversary today!

Jillian