Bob Foos
So much for an official’s pronouncement after a fire in 1991 that was little chance Joplin’s iconic Schifferdecker house would be restored.
Look at it now, along with the neighboring Zelleken house and carriage house. You can drive by them on Sergeant Avenue between Fourth Street and Fifth streets to see how they’ve been restored to their 1899 elegance.
And starting April 2, you can go inside on guided tours. Tickets will go on sale April 1.
During a preview tour on Friday, Brad Belk, the principal historian and house site director, said the restoration of the two homes to become the Joplin Historical Neighborhoods Museum wouldn’t be possible without the generosity and dedication to restoration by David and Debra Humphreys.
The Humphreyses purchased the houses in 2017 with a vision to not only restore them – not as residences – but as living history museums.
Belk said he was given the goal to come up with innovative and interactive ideas that “create an unexpected experience … in Joplin, Missouri.”
There were apparently no shortcuts taken during the restoration and refurbishing of the houses and grounds. All woodwork was refinished and wallpaper was purchased from the nationally-known Bradbury & Bradbury firm.
Some antique items, including a Swiss music box and the Zellekens’ china, have been returned.
The homes are furnished as if the original families were still occupying them. You can even hear a reenactment of discussions they may have had.
Charles and Wilhelmina (Martens) Schifferdecker and Edward and Margaretha (Grome) Zelleken were German immigrants who made fortunes and were determined to make Joplin a better place to live.
Ticketholders enter the gate in the middle of the block at 422 S. Sergeant Ave. There is a new octagonal booth for check-in. Reservations and purchasing tickets online are recommended. Groups of no more than eight are staged at the Welcome Center in the Carriage House, where they will watch an introductory video before touring the houses.
Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children 6-12 and free for children under 6.
