Recluse Community Trust

Restoring the Past ~ To Benefit the Future

Our Mission

To preserve, renovate, and maintain the historic Recluse Hall for the public benefit and use of the community, and for the encouragement of educational, charitable, and literary activities.

Recluse Community Trust Formed

The Recluse Community Hall was built in January, 1934, with the help of W.P.A. funds. Through the help of a mild winter, logs cut and hauled from the Powder River Breaks, rough-cut lumber, lots of coffee and food supplied by the local ladies, and plenty of community muscle, the Hall was built. Over the years, repairs and improvements have been made to the Recluse Hall, almost always with donated materials and labor from community members. The Pleasant Hour Ladies Club was the driving force behind the original building project, and is still an active and dynamic force in Recluse.

Edna Oedekoven, daughter-in-law of Fred Oedekoven who originally provided the land and served as the manager of the 1934 construction project, donated the property including the Hall and the land to the Pleasant Hour Club in 1997.

On December 27, 2004 the Recluse Community Trust was formed as a non-profit corporation and paperwork was filed with the state and federal governments. Initial funds were donated by the Pleasant Hour Club from memorial gifts received through the years from Mrs. Doris Greenough, Mrs. Irene Butcher, Mrs. Thelma Lanham, and others.

The Trust is made up of the presiding officers of the Pleasant Hour Club and one at-large trustee from the community surrounding the Hall. Currently the President is Lorraine Amende, Vice-President is Marge Means, Secretary is Nancy Sorenson, Treasurer is Kathy Spellman, and the at-large trustee is Fred Oedekoven. Sue Wallis serves as the Project Director and as chair of the Fundraising Campaign.

Recluse Hall - The Center of the Community

Historically, the Recluse Hall has been the core of the community; a place where folks could gather in celebration and adversity.

It is one of the few community halls left in the county or in the state, and for that reason, alone, it is worth preserving for our children and grandchildren.

In recent years it has become more difficult to use the Recluse Hall for many of the activities that it had been used for in the past. For example, the community health nurse no longer does vaccinations at the Hall because there is no hot water. Senior citizens find it difficult to use the out door facilities. The county library quit storing books in the Hall several years ago because it does not have the proper facilities. An important part of the Recluse Library is the archives of the Recluse Community which could not be replaced if the Hall were to burn down or the roof leak.

A recent inspection of the building by the County Engineer listed many hazardous conditions in and around the Hall.

What the Hall Will Hold...

Public Library and Conference Room
Senior Meals and Activities
Public Health Immunizations
Rabies Shot Clinics
Weed & Pest,Farmer's Co-op, Conservation District & other meetings
Emergency Management Command Center for Northern Campbell County
Local civic organizations: Pleasant Hour Club, Sunshine 4-H Club and others
Weddings, Funerals, Anniversaries
Dances and Celebrations
Church Services and Sunday Schools
School Programs and Events
Art Fairs
Community Theater
Dart Tournaments and Card Games
Headquarters for Recluse Community LifeFlight
Exercise Classes and Wellness Programs for all ages
Elections and Voting

The Plan

The purpose of the project is to preserve, renovate and maintain the historic Recluse Hall and will include:

an addition across the back which includes an extended kitchen, bathrooms, storage, and a public library with separate access.
a super-insulated basement under the addition which will provide for maintenance free and energy efficient plumbing and heating.
a wide verandah porch across the front and up the sides to provide additional gathering space, handicapped access, and protect the historic log structure.
a renovated public building completely up to code.

Where's the Money Coming From?

The estimated cost of the renovation is $350,000. An additional $50,000 is needed for a maintenance fund to offset any capital expenses in the future. The funding for the project will come from:

Grants -- $300,000 (75%)
Business and Corporate Partners -- $80,000 (20%)
Private Donors and Special Events -- $20,000 (5%)

The Pleasant Hour Club and the Recluse Community Trust will help raise $20,000 in private donations needed to provide the necessary grant matching funds to complete the project. We are asking for your tax-deductible donation.

Contact Information

Telephone

307 680 8515

Postal address

PO Box 72, Recluse, WY 82725

Electronic mail

General Information: reclusetrust@vcn.com

sue.wallis@vcn.com;

Webmaster: flp@vcn.com