Evelyn Hart is 94 years old and she and her husband have been collecting Depression glass and Depression glass pieces, which were made in the 1930s.
“One summer, my sister-in-law was visiting from Louisiana,” Hart said. “When she was visiting, she told us about Depression glass.”
Hart found a piece in her attic which she had for years. After she found the piece in her attic, she soon discovered there were shops and stores in towns in and near Custer County which sold the glass.
“Depression glass was given in oatmeal boxes and similar products and was in different colors,” Hart said. “It would entice people to buy their products.”
Hart said the Depression glass can and still is used after all of these years.
“It was a collection which I enjoy looking at,” Hart said. “It means a lot to me that all of these Depression glass dishes I collected have lasted all of these years and can still be used.”
Hart has given some of her Depression glass to people who need it, such as one of her daughter’s hairdresser’s.
“I had another set and I sold it to my daughter Dari’s hairdresser,” Hart said. “I just have had them in the cabinets all these years and have not used them. I really enjoy how beautiful they look and her hairdresser uses the Depression glass all the time. His mother was coming to see him and he did not have any dishes, so this is why he brought them.”
Along with collecting Depression glass, Hart has other hobbies such as quilting, genealogy and collecting straw baskets.
“My husband and I collected homemade straw baskets made in Arkansas by individuals,” Hart said. “In 1988 and 1989, we traveled up SH 59 in Arkansas from Fort Smith, Arkansas, to Siloam Springs, Arkansas. At various places, there would be houses where they were making baskets. Some of our baskets are signed by John Hampton, of Pelsor Arkansas in 1988, Jerry and Pat Wood, of Pelsor, Arkansas, 1989.”
Hart and her husband Darrall got married in 1946 and were married for 51 years before Darrall passed away in 1997. Hart has two daughters, Marsha Ridenour and Dari Hart. Ridenhour lives in Yukon and Dari lives in Arlington, Texas. She also has two granddaughters, Lori Harvey and Lisa Harrington and has countless great grandchildren. Hart said her family motivates her and that is what keeps her going.