The Mason House Inn Restoration Fund

Hello, my name is Angie. I'm starting this GoFundMe to help some very close friends who are going through a rough period and could use some help.

Fe and Chris Pope took over the Mason House Inn Bed & Breakfast in November of 2023. Shortly after taking ownership, they experienced a traumatic loss that no one should ever have to bear, losing a child. Their oldest son lost his life in a horrible car accident while on the way to see Fe & Chris at the Inn. With him, was his sister and a friend. The friend also passed away but his sister miraculously survived the accident. Since then, they have been trying to navigate through grief and life as a family of 3. Obviously, with an unexpected death, there also comes some unexpected bills and other expenses.

Due to needing some extra financial assistance, both Fe and Chris have had to get second jobs to keep everything afloat. Unfortunately, Fe has been struggling with some medical issues and has been in and out of the hospital trying to find some answers as to what is causing this. With being in constant pain and in and out of the hospital, she has been unable to go to her second job to help provide for their family and keep bills paid.

While trying to navigate through life's hurdles, they have also experienced hardships with the Inn. Just recently, the water line to the Caboose Suite broke and flooded the entire suite. They also had a second water line break in the laundry room which is right next to some guest rooms. The water damage from that is pretty extensive. There also quite a few other repairs that need to be made to keep this vital piece of history alive.

A little bit about the Inn, if you're not familar with it's story.

Nestled on the banks of the beautiful Des Moines River, Bentonsport is one of the Villages of Van Buren County that were among Southeast Iowa's very first settlements. This antique hotel was built in 1846 by Mormon craftsmen coming from Nauvoo, Illinois, as a hotel for steamboat travelers. It has been used as a hospital three different times, used during the ,Civil War, and was also a station on the Underground Railroad. Still today, 179 years later, the Mason House Inn continues to run as a fully functioning Bed & Breakfast full of history.

If you are able to donate, they would much appreciate anything you're willing to give. If you don't feel comfortable donating on here, they do have a Venmo that is listed below you can send money to. Or even better, get out and support their small business and stay with them or visit them on Sundays for their brunch, ANYTHING helps!!

Venmo: @Felicia-Pope-5