Friends of Bulloch, Inc. hosted a special event to posthumously honor Helen M. Dunham and her magnificent Faberge-like Egg Legacy at Mittie’s Gift & Museum Shoppe, adjacent to Bulloch Hall last month.
The exceptional eggs made by Helen Dunham will also be available for purchase at Mittie’s Christmas Luncheon at the Cherokee Town Club on December 6 and the Magnolia Ball on June 10, 2023. All of these events benefit the preservation of Bulloch Hall which is on the National Register of Historic Places and a designated Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation.
Real ostrich, emu, and goose eggs have been hand-painted, carved, sculpted and adorned with Swarovski jewels to create delicate art that emulates the Faberge Eggs made for Russian aristocracy in 1886. They can take a week to a month to create. The eggs are valued between $50 and $700 apiece. The family entrusted over 100 one-of-a-kind eggs to Mittie’s Gift & Museum Shoppe to find a cherished new home for each egg.
The Helen M. Dunham Story
Helen M. Dunham, died recently at 99 having spent 40 years of her life making exquisite Faberge Egg reproductions with a group of her friends - most of whom have also died. Mrs. Dunham was born in Missouri and earned two college degrees, one in art and the other in dress design. She married Roy Dunham, her high school sweetheart and a World War II pilot. They were married 70 years and had four children: Sara, Mike, Rick and Merrily Dunham McLaughlin.
During the Bush Administration, the Georgia Egg Commission selected the beautiful and creative entry by Helen Dunham as the Official Georgia 2008 Easter Egg, which was put on display at the White House with the other Official State Easter Eggs. The White House began displaying the decorated Easter Eggs in 1994. Laura Bush sent a personal note to Helen Dunham and she was invited to the White House, but could not attend.
Enjoy an opening reception on December 14 from 5-8 p.m. Be among the first 100 to make a reservation at info@friendsofbulloch org. The precious eggs will be on display through December 20.
Friends of Bulloch, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to the preservation of Bulloch Hall, the historic home of Mittie Bulloch, mother of the 26th President of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt.