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Show 91181ro15 Uon ancI8eehive Houses are 'gathering places' A historic event occurred in the parlor in November 1869. President Young was afraid his daughters were becoming too "worldly." He excused the boys and men and told his daughters to "retrench" from fancy clothing, makeup, language and outlandish behavior. He wanted them to develop good habits and strong values. Eventually this concept was developed into the LDS Church's Young Women organization. "It was a wonderful thing to do," said Sister Florence Jacobsen, former YWMIA president. Some years after President Young's death, the church obtained the property. From 1900 to 1932, it was part of an LOS university. The home was designated as a social center, and a basement cafeteria offered meals to church employees, missionaries and young women for a modest fee. The social center closed in the early 1960s, and the Lion House was almost torn down. Thanks to Jacobsen and her YWMIA counselors Margaret Jackson and Dorothy P. Holt, the landmark was saved. Saving the Lion House Jacobsen will turn 98 years old in April, yet the former church curator and director of church arts and sites can easily recall the details of the Lion House project. "It wasn't a restoration. It was a rejuvenation," she said. Jacobsen, then the newly called YWMIA president, said the church was considering plans to tear down the Lion House to make room for a South Temple outlet from its underground parking facility. Not only did the YWMIA have stewardship of the Lion House, but it had played a role in Jacobsen's life. As a girl she learned sewing and other homemaking skills in classes at the Lion House. She also used to meet her father and brother each week for lunch in the cafeteria. "It means a great deal to me," said the granddaughter offormer church Presidents Heber J. Grant and Joseph F. Smith. "It's part of my history." Jacobsen and her counselors took action by enlisting the help of architect Cannon Young and his cousin, George Cannon Young, along with Mark Brimhall Garff, chairman of the church building committee. Then Jacobsen set up a meeting with the First Presidency. After President David O. McKay instructed Jacobsen to take charge, the women laid out plans for remodeling the Lion House into a pioneer-style social center. When she was done, President McKay turned to Garff and asked how much it would cost. hI.tp:llwww.deseretnews.com/articlelprinV70536960511Jon-and-8eehive-Houses-are-gathering-places.html 3/5 |
