Former Sunbeam home is Symphony Show House fundraising venue in Oklahoma City

Before it gets lost in the details of decor — the main selling point of the Symphony Show House fundraiser for the Oklahoma City Orchestra League — lets look at the history of the unusual setting for this year's event May 11-18.

It's the former Sunbeam Family Services property at 620 NW 21, in Mesta Park, built in 1929, renovated into apartments by Marva Ellard's MidTown Builders.

Not a house, but a baker's dozen apartments for interior designers and suppliers to show off their best work, a "blend of the modern and the historic, the blank canvas of new construction and the character of a grand manor," said Jo Meacham, of Urban Kitchens, who is design chairman for the event, which raises money for the Oklahoma City Philharmonic and music education.

The Show House will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day. Advance individual tickets are $15, group tickets $12 each, at okcorchestraleague.org. Once it's open, tickets are $20, with children under 12 admitted free.

Now, the history of the Sunbeam Home, provided by the Orchestra League:

In 1907, after her husband had died, Elizabeth 'Lizzie' Swisher came to Oklahoma City for missionary work with orphans. She went door to door collecting money for orphans and began taking as many as she could into her home. As more orphans were taken in, she moved to larger frame houses in the neighborhood. Nellie Talbot had written a children's song, 'I'll be a Sunbeam,' in 1900 and was the inspiration for the name Sunbeam Home Association, which was incorporated in 1910. The staff and volunteers who lovingly cared for the children called all of them Sunbeams!

Some of the children were orphans and some had a parent who was struggling ... temporary residents, some were adopted and some returned to family when they were able to care for them and all were called Sunbeams.

In the 1920s, Sunbeam had 42 children and was filled to capacity. The Community Chest, a predecessor of the United Way, was a very helpful source of support in 1923 as well as the Junior League and many well known leaders in the Oklahoma City community.

With the problem of frame houses and fires, a brick building was built and opened in 1930 to house the Sunbeam Home. Times changed and Sunbeam became a way for children to be introduced into foster homes. During the war years of World War II, it was also a day care for the children of working women.

In 1956, the name became Sunbeam Home and Family Services, and then changed to Sunbeam Family Services. When the need came to assist victims of elder abuse, Sunbeam stepped in to help so they have served all ages in our community. As in the beginning volunteers and community support remained a very important part of Sunbeam!

Sunbeam has a new building on Classen Boulevard and the brick Sunbeam home, located at 620 NW 21st in Mesta Park, has been purchased by Marva Ellard, owner of MidTown Builders. Life continues to change with the times. Marva plans to have affordable housing in the community using this historic home.

Located near Wilson Elementary where for decades Sunbeam residents have attended school in the Mesta Park area, 13 units will be available, to allow young and old to have a place to call home. The building will also have a community area that will be available to the residents.

These three women have had a vision for Oklahoma City, Lizzie Swisher in 1907 for housing and caring for orphans, Mary Ruth Ferguson, who 41 years later founded the Oklahoma City Orchestra League to support our orchestra, and now Marva Ellard for providing needed affordable housing in a historic area. We invite you to come and visit our 46th Symphony Show House and continue the support for our community!"

You can reach Real Estate Editor Richard Mize at richardmize@oklahoman.com.