Fort Recovery VFW Buys Dennis Paintings! Donates Them Back to Museum!

It was a most dramatic moment on October 16^th, when a gentleman at the back of the audience at the Fort Recovery Historical Society Auction made the final bid of $2750 for three original watercolor paintings that had been donated to the auction by English artist, Peter Dennis.  Peter had created the paintings to illustrate the dramatic events of St. Clair’s Defeat as described in the just released book, Wabash 1791, by author John Winkler. 

But then to the amazement of those 200+ guests present, that unknown bidder, Vern Mescher, stood and announced that he was representing the Fort Recovery VFW, and THAT organization was donating the paintings back to the FR Historical Society/Museum!   The astonished and elated crowd stood and gave him, and the VFW he was representing, a standing ovation!  It elevated the mood for the remainder of the evening.

Historical Society president, Helen LeFevre said that Fort Recovery Community members and Museum Patrons and supporters from all over will be forever grateful to the VFW and the VFW Men’s Auxiliary for this donation and the memorable moment at Auction 2011.  If that weren’t enough, Commander of the VFW, Ken Lamm announced that the VFW and Men’s Auxiliary would also fund the framing of those paintings. 

Museum director, Nancy Knapke said, “We owe SO much to Peter Dennis who created and donated the paintings and to the local VFW organization.  They are responsible for:

1)      More attention to our museum

2)      Feelings of pride and ownership in our museum by local residents and organizations

3)      Financial support for museum projects and events

4)      A new display for our museum that will surely garner attention and bring home the significance of the 1791 Battle on the Banks of the Wabash!”

The paintings will be on permanent display in the recently renovated museum.    Pictured above with the new display is Ken Lamm, Commander of the VFW, Steve Westgerdes, President of the VFW Men’s Auxiliary and Nancy Knapke, Museum Director.