The Fulfillment of a Dream by Mildred M. Casey 1985

Following her installation as president of the National Federation of Music clubs (1967), Hinda Honigman received the approval of the Board of Directors at their first meeting for the pursuit of her announced two great dreams: to make a nationwide effort to secure a Congressional Charter for NFMC, and to raise funds to erect or purchase a headquarters building for the organization.  The culmination of the second dream reached its climax at the 40th Biennial Convention, held in Portland, Oregon, April, 1979, with the approval of the Board of Directors and the Convention Assemble for the proposed purchase of the Eden-Talbott House, 1336 North Delaware Street, Indianapolis, Indiana.

The firsts plans of the Federation had been to build a structure to be shared with the American Symphony League on land offered by the latter organization in the nation's only cultural park, Wolf Trap Farm for the Performing Arts, Vienna Virginia.  Committees were appointed to solicit "Grand Builders" (donors of $1,000 to $4,999) and "Master Builders" (those giving $5,000 or more).  Mrs. Honigman was elected by the Board of Directors to serve as General Chairman of this project and was authorized to appoint all committees to proceed with plans.  The plan to use "golden spades" was approved by the Board of Directors and each donor of $10 or more was presented a spade.  (The idea of a spade pin resulted from Mrs. Honigman's having received at an Ohio Federation of Music Clubs Convention a groundbreaking spade, to encourage her in her plans for securing a headquarters for the Federation.)

In her report to the Assembly in Convention at Portland, Oregon, Mrs. Honigman stated, "Our members and friends who have contributed so generously to make the vision of hope take place will be interested to learn that the actual cost for our NFMC Headquarters Building Campaign, including all publicity, mailing, postage, cost of thousands of golden spade pins for our fund raising drive, all essential printing (including special acknowledgement cards and postage), our attorney fees (for matters in the interest of NFMC's building project), cost of transportation and fee for the concert by our NFMC Artists in the White House, and all essential expenditures, including invitations in connection with the successful symbolic ground-breaking ceremonies, have cost NFMC less than 5 percent of the total amount raised in cash and pledges."

In that same report, she indicated that the amount in the NFMC Building Fund at the time of that Convention was $350,000.  Total pledges yet to be paid were $8,000, making a complete total to date of $358,000.Of that amount, Mrs. Honigman had secured $225,000.

When it became apparent that the American Symphony Orchestra League would be unable to secure its share of funds for the joint project to erect a building for the two organizations at Wolf Trap Farm, the problem of a future NFMC Headquarters was fully discussed at a meeting of the Building Committee during the 1978 NFMC Fall Session.  It was decided that the Committee would submit a recommendation to the Board of Directors, calling for a revision of NFMC By-laws, to authorize the Committee to seek another location for the headquarters building.

The group was considering Indianapolis, Indiana, as a site because it is available to all types of transportation, is located in the central part of the country, and the land sites and old homes shown by the real estate agent greatly impressed the committee.

During this 1978 Fall Session, while Mrs. Frank A Vought, the national president, was having lunch with the Director of Sales of the host hotel, he suggested a friend — a real estate agent — who would be available to show properties to her and Mrs. Honigman. That same afternoon the two women were taken on a tour of the historic city of Indianapolis and were shown properties in all sections.  The were greatly impressed with the section where handsome old homes were for sale — for restoration only. 

An illustrative map of an area in this section is herewith included, showing two city blocks (from 12th Street to 14th Street of North Delaware in the old Northside portion of the city.  This area, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, is a joint project for renewal by the Junior League of Indianapolis and Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana.

After her return home, Mrs. Honigman kept in close contact with the cooperative realtor, studying essential data and conferring with him by telephone.  The Eden-Talbott House, one which greatly impressed Mrs. Vought and Mrs. Honigman and which had been taken off the market before their August tour, was again listed for sale.  Careful consideration was given to determine whether its potentials warranted calling a special meeting of the Building Committee.  Brochures describing the property were sent to each member of the Committee, listing the cost as $66,500, which included the land, especially valuable due to its being a portion of the city listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

On January 4 and 5, 1979, the Building Committee met in conference in Indianapolis.  Those present were Mrs. Hal H. McHaney, Mrs. Frank A. Vought, Dr. Merle Montgomery and Mrs. Honigman.  Mrs. William S. Shaw, who had worked untiringly soliciting funds for the building, was unable to attend the meeting because of illness.

Mrs. Honigman reported, "Our meeting was a most harmonious and enthusiastic event.  On the first evening we made a list of essential questions for which we needed answers from the realtor.  The next morning we were taken to the handsome Eden-Talbott House.  The Committee was met by two charming and vitally interested young women: the president of the Junior League of Indianapolis, and the chairman of the Historical Landmarks Foundation of Indiana. After careful inspection of the house, we sat for a lengthy conference and had all our questions answered.  We were not only impressed by the beauty, the exquisite materials and magnificent construction of the house, but elated to find layout plans of the interior to be perfect for our organization.  We could readily appreciate the marvelous possibilities and the splendid way in which the house could be turned into a prestigious and effective headquarters for NFMC, with the approximate additional cost of $200,000 for restoration. After spending several hours at this house, going over changes and necessary improvements, the Committee returned to the hotel for another long session.

It was the unanimous decision of the Committee members that the Eden-Talbott House would be ideal and that it would be an exceptionally wise investment to purchase the property.

By unanimous vote a binder of $1,000 was paid, so that if at the Convention in Portland the vote would be favorable, the property would be purchased."

The history of the Eden-Talbott House goes back to Charleton Eden, a lumber dealer whose mill stood at the corner of Delaware and Michigan.  He built his dream house in 1873 on Lot 18 in Martindale's Addition, truly suburban in those days! The finest woods were chosen — ornate arches, carved lions' heads, the staircase an a newel post containing 800 cunningly fitted pieces of wood demanded the best.  Black walnut, typical of the forests of Central Indiana was used extensively.  The ornate newel post which is located at the foot of the stairway was displayed at the Philadelphia Centennial in 1876.

Apparently Mr. Eden didn't have his dream house long.  In 1891, it was sold to Dr. James Stevenson and his wife, newcomers to Indianapolis, who in turn sold it in 1889 to the Devay family.  Their tenancy was brief.  In 1891 it was sold to the new minister of the Plymouth Congregational Church, the Reverend Nathaniel Hyde, a native of Stafford, Connecticut, and a descendent of Priscilla and John Alden.  In 1891 the House was bought by Henry Morrison Talbott, co-manager of the principal theaters and opera houses of Indianapolis.  In all probability it was used to entertain some of the visiting celebrities in the city.  One can imagine the opera and stage notables gracing this glorious old mansion.  During the occupancy of Mr. Talbott and his charming wife, the house came into flower once again.  Structural changes were made, grilled balconies were added and a profusion of plants brought life and a sense of gayety to the solemn old facade.

The exterior of the Eden-Talbott House is of brick construction, and illustrates two styles of architecture — Italianate and Second Empire.  The house is symmetrical and features a central tower marked by a small carved stone balcony on the second story.  Elaborate molding with keystone motifs flank the tower and decorate the many large windows.

On April 26, 1979 the Board of Directors voted to purchase this beautiful and historic Eden-Talbott House, to be the National Federation of Music Clubs' permanent headquarters building, contingent upon the Convention's affirmative vote.  Immediately upon the unanimous vote of the Convention, Mrs. Vought signed and mailed a check made payable to the Junior League of Indianapolis in the amount of $65,000 in full payment for the property.

Not many days after Mrs. Jack Christopher Ward had been elected and installed the 24th President of the National Federation of Music Clubs in Portland, Oregon (April 1979) the Junior League of Indianapolis, Indiana, deeded the beautiful Eden-Talbott mansion to the National Federation of Music Clubs. 

Plans were accepted and restoration began.  Many trips were made by Mrs. Ward and Mrs. Honigman from their respective homes in Greenville, South Carolina to Indianapolis to supervise the renovation and to ensure that the improvements asked for were done satisfactorily.

Mrs. Honigman, Chairman of the Headquarters Building Committee found a manufacturer of reproduction antique furniture from whom much of the handsome furniture found in the mansion was purchased a cost plus ten percent.

Mrs. Hal H. McHaney asked and continues to ask for contributions — furnishings or monetary — from members of the Federation.  All who attended the beautiful dedicatory service have expressed the desire to furnish the headquarters — either through the contribution of pieces of furniture (accepted after the Committee has viewed a picture of the same) or through cash donations with which accessories or furniture are purchased.  In either event the name of any contributor, whose gifts amount to $100 or more, is placed in a beautiful book of donors which is displayed permanently in the building.  Small brass plates (regulation sized) bearing the names of the donor and the one being honored (should there be someone) may be placed on the gift as a permanent memorial.

At the completion of the Headquarters Office of the NFMC, housed on the second floor of the building, it was furnished with new modern office equipment, and an office staff was hired.  Mrs. Barbara T. Bryant has been Executive Secretary since October 1, 1980.  Other staff members hired at that time have resigned and have been replaced.

NFMC Receives Award
Award
for
Excellence in Development
National Federation of Music Clubs
1336 North Delaware Street
Indianapolis

Thus read the plaque presented to the National President of Music Clubs at the Indianapolis Columbia Club, on October 16, 1980.

Present at the evening banquet in the Club's beautiful ballroom and accepting the award for the Federation were Mrs. Jack C. Ward, president, and Mrs. Maurice Honigman, past president and chairman of the Headquarters' Building Committee.

Believing that excellence in community development should be publicly and appropriately honored, the Metropolitan Development Commission, the Design Review Committee, and the Division of planning and Zoning Staff has held award events since 1977.  At these, recognition is given to those projects determined to be of outstanding quality in terms of site planning, architecture, renovation, graphic design, and in more recent projects, conservation of natural resources.

Nominations for the 1980 awards, including the one to NFMC, were submitted to a staff who then made the recommendation which were later confirmed by the Metropolitan Development Commission.

Welcoming the more than 200 guests at the banquet was Mr. Robert J. Erickson, president, Indianapolis Chapter AIA.  The award to the National Federation of Music Clubs "in recognition of its restoration of the 1878 Eden-Talbott House at 1336 North Delaware Street," was presented by Mr. Michael W. Boeke, president, Metropolitan Development Commission.

Also in the 1980 Winter Issue of the Music Clubs Magazine is a copy of the invitation to the Headquarter's Dedication which was sent to members and friends.

A facsimile of this and one of the Dedication Ceremony are included in this booklet.

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Since that impressive dedicatory service, October 19, 1980, planned by Lucile Parrish Ward, Past National President, the beautiful Eden-Talbott House has flourished.  Many costly pieces of furniture, pictures, memorabilia, and lovely objects d'art (some in memory of loved ones) have been received from clubs and individuals, so that now it is worthy of a Celebration of Achievement.

Countless members and friends who contributed to its purchase have visited the House to see "first-hand" the Culmination of the Cherished Dream of Hinda Lebo Honigman, a dream realized through the untiring efforts of Hinda, the officers, and members of the National Federation of Music Clubs.

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