The Ginger House, the birthplace and childhood home of the American actress, dancer, and singer, Ginger Rogers, is a tourist attraction and museum located in Independence, Missouri, United States, at 100 W Moore Street. This small Craftsman style bungalow was built between 1906 and 1910 by Oscar Mindrup, a local real estate investor and city councilman. This site is the birthplace of Hollywood film actress/dancer Ginger Rogers. Virginia Katherine McMath (Ginger) was born on July 16, 1911 to Lela Owens McMath, who was estranged from her husband.
Lela McMath rented the home and she and Ginger lived there for approximately four years. Lela insisted on having her baby at home because she lost her first child in a hospital when the doctor used forceps. She obtained employment as a typist on July 15 at the Sand Company, promising to appear for duty in early August. On her way home from the job interview, Lela went into labor and had to walk home while doubling over in pain. She stopped at a drugstore to call the doctor and met him at the house. The next day, Ginger was born.
Encouraged by her mother, who became a script writer and heavily involved in the theater, Ginger went on to become a Broadway star at the age of 19, and shortly after, a Hollywood film actress. She is perhaps best known for the nine films she made with Fred Astaire, but she was a huge star before they began working together and making dance films.
Ginger visited her hometown several times during her lifetime. In 1942, she visited the home during an interview with LIFE magazine. In 1964, President Harry Truman declared July 16 to be "Ginger Roger's Day," Ginger again visited the home in 1972 when she was in Kansas City to perform Hello Dolly! at Starlight Theater.
On July 16, 1994 the City of Independence hosted Ginger Roger's Day with a parade, book signing, a film festival, luncheon, and dinner. Ginger was presented with a key to the city by Mayor Ron Stewart. The house was declared an Historic Landmark Property by the City of Independence in 1994. Mayor Stewart affixed the plaque to the exterior of the house during Ginger's visit. This was Ginger Rogers last public appearance.
From the time of construction until 2016, the home was owned by several families, some whom are mentioned in the book 100 West Moore Street by Liana Twente and Audrey Elder. It sat on the market unwanted for months at an asking price of $20,000, then sold to a young couple who sold it in 2016 for $36,500. On February 29, 2016 the home was purchased by Three Trails Properties, LLC who restored to its original condition, preserving the historic features such as the front porch and columns, extensive woodwork, the original corner bathroom sink and clawfoot tub.
Video The Ginger House
Museum
The home will open to the public as a tourist attraction in July 2018 during the Ginger Rogers Festival event hosted by the Ginger House Museum. This may be an annual event. The home is open for private tours from April to October.
Maps The Ginger House
References
External links
- The Ginger House website
Source of the article : Wikipedia
0 Comments