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Venue Title
Graphic design of venues title -
Charlie Wright
Charlie Wright, Helen's first husband and Highlands hero. He received a gold medal for the rescue of Gus Baty after he tumbled over Fool's Rock. Charlie died young and Helen used the cash award from the Carnegie metal to open Helen's Barn providing a space for the Highlands community and support her five children. -
Ballad of Helen's Barn
Ballad of Helen's Barn
The insurance came when Charlie was dead
Leaving Helen with six mouths that had to be fed.
She built a barn and painted it red
And the townspeople turned to her and said,
"Helen what you're doing just ain't right-
Building a dance hall in a town this white.
Shoulda' built a church - a roof for your head.
But not a dance hall, and painted it red."
Her answer above the jingle of coins firmly clears:
"It takes a lot of cheers
To dam a widow's tears."
Helen's Barn opened for dancing on Saturday night.
Folks came a-clogging' their feet feeling light.
Where many a youth first saw the light
Of joy in dancing away fears in the night.
It was Helen's answer to their calls and their jeers:
"It takes a lit of cheers
to dam a widow's tears."
Fifty years of Saturday night digging shins with joy
As many a man-danced away there from being a boy.
Helen's young'uns were schooled, fed and kept warm
With money she earned at her old red barn.
As hoe-down music drowned any complaint
To answer those who don't recognize a saint.
"It takes a lot of cheers
To dam a widow's tears."
-Kate Gillson -
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Clogging at Helen's Barn
Adults clogging at Helen's Barn in the 1980s. Image part of Susasn Clarkson family photos -
Kids clogging at Helen's Barn
Kids clogging at Helen's Barn, the next generation of clogging. Photo part of Susan Clarkson's family photos. -
Helen's Barn 50th anniversary crowd
A crowd of people at Helen's Barn 50th anniversary. Image part of Susan Clarkson's family photos. -
Square Dancing
Square dancing at Helen's Barn, part of Susan Clarkson's family photos. -
Kids at Helen's Barn
Kids at Helen's Barn, part of Susan Clarkson's family photos -
