According to late historian and Greenville library namesake W . Walworth Harrison , Ende ’ s business suffered hardships during the Civil War because of supply chain disruptions . However , he couldn ’ t bear to have his daughter do without one Christmas so he whittled a piece of pine into the shape of a girl ’ s head while his wife sewed a body and clothing for it so that Louise could be given a doll as a gift .
Named Peggy , the doll still sits in the Ende-Gaillard House and has been featured in its openings to the public .
In addition to the actual Christmas story related to the house , it has also been used in some of the Audie Murphy / American Cotton Museum ’ s holiday season events with the museum offering tours of the house while it ’ s decorated in Christmas splendor . This year , the museum plans to add the Ende-Gaillard House to Altrusa ’ s annual Tour of Homes .
Scheduled for Dec . 1 , the Tour of Homes serves as a fundraiser for a local nonprofit that Altrusa selects each year . Funds raised through last year ’ s Tour of Homes benefited Senior Center Resources and Public Transit . Over the years , it has also raised money for Hunt County Kids , Hunt County Shared Ministries / Meals for At Risk Kids , Hope Center of Greenville , Northeast Texas Children ’ s Museum in Commerce and Hunt County Special Olympics .
GREENVILLE LIFE 29 HOLIDAY 2024