There are two women who were vitally important to the Ernest Hupeden’s Painted Forest. It is safe to say that without Norma Gibeaut Mortimer and Dolores Nash, we would not have the Ernest Hupeden’s Painted Forest.

 

Both women loved their time as caretakers of the Ernest Hupeden’s Painted Forest.

 

Richard Wallenahl writes:

“My aunt Norma Gibeault Mortimer took pride in her time of stewardship of the hall.”

 

Brenda Reisdorph writes:

“If it were not for Ronald and Dolores Nash, the building would not have been preserved as well as it was. Incidentally, they had their wedding reception there as well. Their generosity made the gift to the community possible, and for many years they hosted wonderful community events before the Kohler Foundation took over to continue the legacy that they saw promise in. Their part needs to be told and remembered.”

 

We agree completely.

 

Modern Woodmen fraternal activities at Camp 6190 had largely ceased by the late 1920s, due in part to the degrading economy and in part to the growing ability of people to purchase life insurance directly from the company without belonging to the fraternity. Although MWA Camp 6190 was officially decommissioned on August 7, 1958, ownership of Wood Hall, and stewardship of the interior murals painted by Ernest Hüpeden, had already been transferred to the care of Charles Gibeault on February 11, 1947. Charles, and later his daughter Norma Gibeault Mortimer, cared for the hall for many years. After Charles’s passing, stewardship transferred to Norma alone on June 10, 1963.

 

On November 3, 1966, care of the hall passed to Dolores and Ron Nash. It was Dolores who gave Wood Hall the name “The Painted Forest.” She and Ron cared for the hall for another 24 years. On November 4, 1990, stewardship passed again — this time to the Kohler Foundation.

 

Without these women, Ernest Hüpeden’s Painted Forest would have been lost. Norma and Dolores both cared deeply, and their stewardship deserves to be remembered and honored.

 

We would love to learn more about their relationship with MWA Camp 6190 Hall and their years of care for this remarkable art environment. Did you know Norma or Dolores? Do you remember attending events at the hall? Did your family talk about them? Please reach out. We want to hear your memories.

 

Sometime between the 1950s and early 1960s, the original painted ceiling fell. As we approach another round of restoration, we are especially hoping to find old photographs of events held during Norma’s or Dolores’s stewardship — photographs that might offer even a glimpse of the original ceiling.

 

Before the Painted Forest was widely recognized as a cultural treasure, Norma and Dolores kept it protected with love.