Registration is Open for the Ginger Rogers Day Festival!

Registration is open for the Ginger Rogers Day Festival July 14-15, 2018 in Independence, Missouri. The birthplace of Ginger Rogers will open at that time, and many of activities are planned, including presentations at the Truman Library and Museum, a tour of the Ginger House, a fan club meeting, a banquet and silent auction.

The keynote speaker is Roberta Olden, Ginger Rogers' longtime assistant. Limited tickets are available for the event. See more about the event at www.thegingerhouse.org.

The Ginger House Update

I wanted to let everyone know about the progress at the Ginger House- The interior is 99% completed. The only thing left to do is the white subway tile with gray grout in the kitchen and finish the displays of Ginger Rogers memorabilia and some of the items she owned.

The next step is the exterior, and that won't be as easy a task since we must get approval from the City of Independence Heritage Commission for any repairs or improvements since this is an Historic Landmark Property.

The steps involved include getting a site survey, having a plan drawn up by a landscape architect, removal of trees that are a danger to the house, approval by the city arborist, and getting approval from the Heritage Commission.

Our plans include replacing the sidewalks around the house and to the front porch with paver bricks; new landscaping and grass; a lighted sign; uplighting of the house; a new old style fence around the property for added security; repair of the porch, columns, siding, and soffits, and roof replacement. Last March hail severely damaged the roof. We are planning to restore the exterior color to the original white, and keep everything on the exterior of the house original except the roof, which will be a period look roof. We are also planning to add a paver brick driveway and patio in the back of the property.  The expected remaining costs are between $30,000 - $40,000.

People who donate $50 or more to the project will have their name engraved on a paver brick which will be placed in a permanent location on the property.

The grand opening of the museum will be July 14-15, 2018 at the Ginger Rogers Day Festival.

Donations can be made at www.thegingerhouse.org.
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Marge Padgitt is the Director of The Ginger House Museum. Contact her at mp@thegingerhouse.org.

Down to the Wire

Update on the GR House:

The wiring and plumbing are completed and passed inspection by the building inspector - yea! Next, Gene is getting ready to put the insulation in the walls and put up drywall in the kitchen - the next to the last thing to do inside the house. The cabinets are sitting in the house and ready for installation. The alarm system has been repaired and is now working.

We are going to add a small half bath off of the kitchen so visitors will have a place to use the restroom without disturbing the tours through the full bath. After the interior is finished we need to apply to the city for the exterior improvements and landscaping. Don't worry- the look of the exterior will be kept the same as it was originally.

Must read article about Ginger Rogers' Mother

Lela Rogers

Check out this fantastic article about Ginger Rogers' Mother, Lela Rogers who served in the Marine Corps during WWI as one of the first 10 women to join the military. Lela also and wrote Hollywood scripts and was Ginger Rogers manager. Ginger and her mother and grandmother were pioneers in their day and amazing women! They should be an inspiration for us all.

https://womenmarines.wordpress.com/2013/07/26/lela-leibrand/

Seeking Donations for the Restoration of the Ginger House

100 W Moore Street, Independence, MO Birthplace of Ginger Rogers

Three Trails Cottages, LLC is seeking donations for the expenses to repair and restore the birthplace
of Ginger Rogers. The home, built in 1906, is located at 100 W Moore Street in Independence, Missouri. Ginger Rogers was born in the home on July 16, 2011. Her mother, Lela, rented the home and worked nearby after being estranged from her husband.

Rogers visited the home on several occasions while she was in Independence for other events such as a tour of the Truman Library by President Truman and while she appeared at Starlight Theater in a production of Mame in 1972. Her last visit was in July of 1994 when she appeared for Ginger Rogers Day, hosted by the City of Independence. A plaque designating this Historic Landmark was placed on the house by Mayor Ron Stewart.

Ginger visiting the house in 1942
Photo: LIFE Magazine

Marge Padgitt, the director of the Ginger House, said that antique period furniture and Ginger Roger's memorabilia is also needed to complete the project. Needed items are a dining table and chairs, a sideboard, side tables, and one dresser. Memorabilia will be placed around the home in locked cases and on the walls, to tell the amazing story of Ginger Rogers.

Once completed, the home will be open to the public for tours pending city approval for a special use permit. All contributors will receive a brick with their name on it placed on the property in new sidewalks. See www.thegingerhouse.org for more information about how to contribute and the different levels and rewards that are available.

Contact Marge Padgitt at 816-833-1602 or mp@threetrailscottages.com for more information.

Seeking Donations for the Restoration of the Ginger House

100 W Moore Street, Independence, MO Birthplace of Ginger Rogers

Three Trails Cottages, LLC is seeking donations for the expenses to repair and restore the birthplace
of Ginger Rogers. The home, built in 1906, is located at 100 W Moore Street in Independence, Missouri. Ginger Rogers was born in the home on July 16, 2011. Her mother, Lela, rented the home and worked nearby after being estranged from her husband.

Rogers visited the home on several occasions while she was in Independence for other events such as a tour of the Truman Library by President Truman and while she appeared at Starlight Theatre in a production of Mame in 1972. Her last visit was in July of 1994 when she appeared for Ginger Rogers Day, hosted by the City of Independence. A plaque designating this Historic Landmark was placed on the house by Mayor Ron Stewart.

Ginger visiting the house in 1942
Photo: LIFE Magazine

Once completed, the home will be open to the public for tours pending city approval for a special use permit. All contributors will receive a brick with their name on it placed on the property in new sidewalks. See www.thegingerhouse.org for more information about how to contribute and the different levels and rewards that are available.

Marge Padgitt, the director of the Ginger House, said that antique period furniture and Ginger Roger's memorabilia is also needed to complete the project. Marge is looking for a dining table and chairs, a sideboard, side tables, a queen sized bed frame, and two dressers. Memorabilia will be placed around the home in locked cases and on the walls, to tell the amazing story of Ginger Rogers.

Contact Marge Padgitt at 816-833-1602 or mp@threetrailscottages.com for more information.

Check out the Gingerology blog!

For all you fellow Ginger fans, check out the Gingerology blog by VKMfanHuey for all things Ginger!  Get all the facts about Ginger Rogers' film career and see lots of photos - http://jwhueyblog.blogspot.com/