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Thursday, November 12, 2015

November 12, 2015 - Thursday in Nauvoo

Today marks my 300th blog post!  That's a lot of blogging! Imagine that!  It has been fun trying to record the events, the history, and our experiences during this mission in this format for our family and friends.  And I really appreciate all those who follow us and make comments for us to look back and remember our experiences from your remarks and perspective!  

It was a very windy morning as we were just getting up.  It was too windy and brisk at our usual time of 5:45am to leave on our walk.  So we both did our exercises and my routine took a little longer than mom's.  I had breakfast and the wind had settled down so I ended up taking the 3.5 mile route while mom stayed back and stayed warm.  I enjoyed the walk this morning, but the hot shower was a real treat afterwards!

We worked at the Visitors Center this afternoon on the closing shift from 1:00pm to 6:00pm.  We then had to rush home and change for the Rendezvous Play.  It was my night as Editor and mom's night as the Relief Society President.  We had about 30 in the audience and it was a fun night.  We made it to the pre play meeting the the "Green" room by 6:20pm and beat most of the cast!

For my historical part of the blog, tonight, I wanted to give some information on the Cultural Hall where we hold the Rendezvous Play.

The Cultural or Masonic Hall was a critically needed building in Nauvoo, Illinois, during its Latter-day Saint period of history. It served as headquarters for the Masonic Lodge and the Nauvoo Legion.  Can you imagine the meetings that took place here?

Moreover, it had more than 20 other different uses, including entertainment, church meetings, business, dances and funerals. Lucius Scovil, who owned the bakery next door, was instrumental in the design and construction of the building.  What a great asset the Cultural Hall was to the Bakery and the Bakery to the Cultural Hall!

The Cultural Hall was dedicated by Hyrum Smith on April 5, 1844. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints acquired the structure in 1967. By that time the third story had been removed. It has since been replaced to get the building back to its original size and appearance.

What is pretty neat to note here, is that the ceiling of the second floor, was the original dance floor for the third floor in the 1840's.  That means that the floor we walk on on that restored third floor level, is the dance floor that the early Saints used for their parties and entertainment.  People like Joseph and Emma, Hyrum and Brigham, and so many others who walked these streets, have walked on these floors! 

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