A pair of celebrations of one of Greene County’s most illustrious natives will be held next week in Jefferson.
The parties honor the 125th birthday of George Gallup, who was born Nov. 18, 1901, in the octagonal house that still stands on what is now S. Chestnut St in Jefferson. Gallup founded the precursor of the Gallup Poll in 1935. He died in 1984.
Gallup’s idea for polling was that a small, carefully and scientifically selected sample of people could accurately reflect the views of a nation, replacing “straw polls” that relied on volume rather than on demographic balance.
A birthday open house will be held at the Greene County Historical Museum, 219 E. Lincoln Way in Jefferson, from noon to 4 pm on Friday, Nov. 20. Birthday cake will be served near the George Gallup exhibit.
Another open house will take place at the Sunday, Nov. 22, at the Gallup home, 703 S. Chestnut St. The event includes self-guided tours of the house, which underwent a five-year renovation, completed in 2010. A video of Gallup being interviewed by noted newsman CBS Edward R. Murrow in 1956 will be shown. And there will be a trivia contest. with prizes.
Refreshments from Jefferson’s Centennial restaurant, Deal’s Orchard and Hy-Vee grocery store will be served. Call the Jefferson welcome center, 515-386-2155, to assure there are enough treats to go ‘round. “The open house at George Gallup’s boyhood home will be an opportunity to learn about one of Jefferson most well-known residents,” says Carol Schultz, director of the Gallup House. “Among his many honors is the first Tower of Fame Award, which he received in 1980.”
