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A descendent of Luverne’s early leader R.B. Hinkly was in town last week to tour the former home of her great-great-uncle.
Kathy Watters of Bonney Lake, Washington, sat down for coffee Wednesday, July 31, in the Hinkly House dining room with local curators and historians who were eager to show her around.
She brought with her a gold-rimmed commemorative saucer with a black-and-white image of the Hinkly House as it appeared in the 1880s.
“It was my great-great-grandmother’s plate,” she said, referring to Ethel (Hyke) Hinkly, wife of R.B. Hinkly’s brother, Fred Hinkly.
On the back of the plate was stamped in red, “Compliments of Mr. and Mrs. Hinkly,” and Watters had researched the Hinkly House with hopes of one day seeing it.
That day was July 31.
“It’s such a unique home, even seeing it from the outside,” Watters said. “It’s so different seeing it in person; it’s so much better than seeing it in pictures.”
She sat around the table with Diane Jauert, who has spearheaded the Hinkly House restoration over the past 20 years, along with Hinkly House volunteers Janet Burger and Shirley Harrison and Historical Society President Betty Mann.
Watters was traveling with her friend Bob Mader and his daughter, Gloria, both who also enjoyed a tour of the Hinkly House.