Harp Lady

Irene keeps most her instruments she  
plays near the center of the home

The Cultural Hall has been closed this week so that the floor can be refinished. Because of that, there are no Rendezvous shows this week. So, we contacted a local member here in Nauvoo who had extended an invitation to visit her home and have her play some of the musical instruments that she makes and plays. We arranged for some of our cast to go to her home on Wednesday (yesterday).

The upstairs is like an open loft (she calls the guest room)
which is above the  whole house except the living room

The stairway leading to the loft

Her name is Irene Tukuafu. She married a Tongan and has lived several places in the south pacific including Tonga and Hawaii. She and her husband have 14 children, all married. They wanted to move to Nauvoo after he retired as a school teacher. 



He says that she built her dream home with the help of a friend. She has given the different supporting logs names. She's quite the lady. The home is a round shape and she has a small shop next to the home where she does her wood working. I provided her some help on a problem she brought to the cabinet shop a few months ago. That's when she extended the invitation.

The whole main floor is made of wood. The design in the
center of the house is a compass. The pointer pointing
toward the bottom of the picture is pointing north.

Irene playing her harp

She took us on a tour of the home then she and her husband provided us with some entertainment. It was very nice.

Irene playing her dulcimer

Irene's husband singing a Tongan
love song