I've finally gotten around hosting a meet up at a local historic home, The Pettengill-Morron house where the eight of us met up for a private picnic in the backyard, followed by a tour of the house itself. I never really liked taking part in or hosting picnic meets because of the unpredictable Midwestern weather, but it was gorgeous out, and we could not have picked a better day to dine en
plain air.
(source: peoriapublicradio.org)
The affair was BYOB, but people brought in a few things to share including some yummy scones from Panera, fudge brownies, cucumber sandwiches, and tomato-basil-and mozzarella cheese. It was the first time two girls from the Quad Cities came down to Peoria for a meet up, however, everyone clicked quite easily over our love for all things geeky.
It's unfortunate that we weren't allowed to take photos (with the exception of no flash photography AND if there are people in the photo, but we weren't allowed on the furniture, so it kind of felt pointless to try) because the interior is amazing (you can get a gist of it through the house's and Miss Jean Morron fb page). The house is said to be the oldest standing residential structure in the city and it had been home to several people, and so the historical society kept treasures of its previous owners, meaning we got to view different eras in the house and there was detail overload (seriously wish we were allowed to take photos); it felt like I could be in a room for hours and see an artifact or interior design choice I've never seen before.
An uncanny fact about the house: The original owners did not believe in having domestic servants, although they'd have staff who'd come by every so often, however, for some unknown reason, the house has a servant living quarter off the back of the house with a hidden staircase leading to the kitchen. We've speculated that it might have to do with the blue-print standards of mansions in the day, but for whatever reason, it exists and is decorated to resemble Ms. Jean Morron's dorm from her time at Smith College.
There were no heirs to take over the house and her possessions after she passed on, but we found ourselves with slight envy of her fulfilling life which including being well-off and teaching at the local high school until her early retirement that involved traveling around the world with her dogs.
After the meet up, we took photos at the front of the house and slowly parted ways, leaving half of us going to 3030 for some iced coffee and tea.
Coord rundown:
Hat: H&M (with faux roses pinned)
Blouse: Off-brand (I swear, it's not off-white)
Wristcuffs: Unknown Taobao shop
Necktie: Atelier Pierrot (cameo was a gift from the 2nd comm mod)
JSK: IW
OTKs: Ebay (iirc, it's an IW replica -boooo)
Shoes: Antaina
(unseeen: purse from Evil Live/Lolita Collective & Btssb Milk-Chan Pochette dubbed Miki-Chan)
Here's our little group (sans SOs)!
If you ever go downstate Illinois, be sure to make an appointment to tour this beautiful home!
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