ABOVE: From left, Sandy Hallstrom, Nolan Langford, JoAnn Rehling, Jane Fullerton, Florence Howk, Margo Weaver, Larry Fullerton and Leslie Walkowiak enjoy coffee, tea, bars, pie, fruit and each other’s company at the Chubb House Coffee Time event on Wednesday morning in the house’s dining room. The Chubb House will have its annual Spring Tea event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 3. The Chubb House is open weekly from 10 a.m. to noon on Wednesdays.

FAIRMONT — The local Chubb House is a staple of history to the community, being the oldest brick home in Fairmont. For its 25th time, the Chubb house will host a Spring Tea from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 3.

The event is recognized as an event for guests to enjoy a treat and discover and explore the history of the first Fairmont pioneers, Dr. Orville Chubb and his family.

The event, among others, is one of the most anticipated events for the Chubb House, filling the rooms wall to wall with locals and guests from neighboring cities, eager to step through time in the house. Guests will be allowed to enter every room and ask questions as they learn more about the Chubb family and their house.

“We’re trying to get more people into the Chubb House,” Volunteer Sandy Hallstrom explained.

The coffee, tea and confectioneries draw many Martin County residents in, and the Chubb House volunteers are pleased to allow the community to spend time with family and learn the valuable history of their home. To keep the Chubb House and its events thriving, volunteers play a crucial role. Volunteers spend hours presenting tours, assisting guests, managing events, baking goods and performing other duties.

The Chubb House has around 10 volunteers currently, according to Hallstrom, who has 25 years of working with the Chubb House under her belt. According to Hallstrom, the current team of volunteers is hard-working and expanding the number would be appreciated.

“[The Chubb House] would certainly welcome more volunteers,” Hallstrom said.

Along with Hallstrom, Leslie Walkowiak has devoted a considerable amount of time to the Chubb House and its mission to share history with the community.

“We are trying to get at least two young people or high schoolers to help with things upstairs,” Walkowiak explained.

Walkowiak concurred that the volunteers, whether seniors or among the younger generations, are beneficial. Walkowiak agreed that younger volunteers can assist visitors who require additional help with mobility and complete tasks that require ascending and descending the two floors in the Chubb House. Likewise, during tours, older volunteers can help identify objects in the house that may not look familiar to a younger generation.

Hallstrom and Walkowiak believe in the significance of teaching everyone the history of Fairmont, especially new generations in Fairmont and individuals who have not learned about it. The Chubb House often arranges tours, giving people countless possibilities to discover new things, regarding the contrast in lifestyle, architecture and technology.

“It’s important [for people to know the history of Fairmont] because the Chubb House is the oldest brick house in Martin, Faribault and Watonwan counties,” Hallstrom stated. “‘It’s the most important old home, ‘ said a Minnesota Historical Society architect. Aside from the house, the history of Dr. Chubb is interesting. He plotted Fairmont.”

Hallstrom hopes the preserved historical building will keep thriving. She expressed that some historical buildings do not last, but is determined to make sure the Chubb House and the other historical buildings in the community are widely acknowledged.

“I would like to stress how important it is to keep historical buildings. Years ago, historical buildings were torn down. We need to keep the history for the generations,” Hallstrom said.

The Chubb House is reaching out to service organizations to keep the building accessible and accommodating to everyone intrigued by what the house offers.

The Chubb House is part of the Minnesota Historical Society and a sister location to the Red Rock Center for the Arts.