Help for the Allen-Prudden Family
Donation protected
https://helenair.com/helena/fire-reported-at-historic-lissner-mansion/article_ad5db7db-c10d-5185-a420-3eb7a62e29e4.html
The column of smoke rising near Helena's iconic Old Fire Tower the morning of Monday May 3rd represented major heartbreak and displacement for the Allen-Prudden family who has called the Lissner Massion their family home for over 30 years. Due to safety concerns, they are unable to even set foot inside their home to gather belongings. They been scattered around Helena living with family and friends for indefinite spans of time. Five days later it is still unclear when or if they will be able to move home again. Their home has represented comfort and safety particularly during the challenges of the last year. The goal of this fundraiser is to assist the family with immediate expenses, bridging cost for short term housing, clothing and toiletry, food, insurance deductibles, etc.
The following is more detailed information written by Amy the oldest sibling who is feverishly working to support her family through this overwhelming time.
The Lissner Mansion, home of the Allen-Prudden family for the past 34 years, suffered a terrible fire on Monday, May 3rd, which displaced the family members that were living in the home—Barda, Nathaniel, George Hubbard, and BJ.
George Prudden and Barda Allen purchased the Lissner Mansion in 1987. The Allen-Prudden’s are the second family to ever live in the house since its original owner Marcus Lissner had it built in 1889.
The Allen-Prudden family consists of parents George & Barda, and their five children Amy, George Hubbard, Nathaniel, David, and BJ. The last three children were born in the house.
George was a very talented, well-known flute player and a carpenter by trade; Barda works for the Helena School District as a special education para and is a proud member of the MFPE union; Amy is a mother of three, a realtor with Keller Williams, and has been a server at On Broadway for the past 10 years; George Hubbard took after his father and is a very talented tradesman, as well as a DJ; Nathaniel grew up working at the General Mercantile and is still involved with the shop to this day, and he also has his own jewelry business, Dream Made Treasures; David works at the No Sweat Cafe, and is an exceptional musician and plays with many bands in Helena; BJ is a private house cleaner, the receptionist at Sugar Salon, and a dancer at Cohesion Dance Project.
The Allen-Prudden’s have always had a multi-generational home, with grandmother Helen M. Allen living with them for many years until she passed away peacefully in the home in 2011 at the age of 96. At one point while Helen was still alive, Amy and her husband Ben lived in the home when their first son Leslie was born, making it four generations in the house at one time. Grandmother Helen was delighted to live with her daughter Barda, son-in-law George, grandchildren, and great-grandbaby. The family is thankful they were able to care for Helen in the home until her passing day.
While George wasn’t working on other homes in the Helena community, he would work on renovations in the house. Unfortunately, George was never able to see his renovations finished, as he unexpectedly passed away in his room in August of 2012 at the age of 64. Since George’s passing, his sons have continued to work on the home, most recently refinishing the floor of the upstairs hallway. One room in the house had recently been refinished and offered on AirBnB for guests to stay and enjoy the Montana lifestyle with closeness to the downtown area. It was a vision of Barda’s to finish the home and offer more rooms to the visitors of Helena.
The Allen-Prudden children have lived in the house on and off over the years, with the exception of BJ, the youngest sibling of age 26, who has lived in the home her entire life. The family has always been very tight knit and close, helping each other and anyone else in need, and welcoming them into the home with open arms. The house has been a neighborhood icon for decades with the five Allen-Prudden children and their friends. Between parties, casual get-togethers, and board game nights, there have been many generations of the Helena community that have passed through the doors of this historic home.
The house earned a nickname of “The Pirate House” due to a Jolly Roger flag which proudly flew above the roof for many years. The Pirate House became a landmark for the surrounding neighborhood, and was often used by neighbors when giving directions to visitors.
This house holds countless memories from home births and the passing of family members, to summer parties with live music and large gatherings with as many as 25+ family and friends joining to celebrate Christmas, Thanksgiving, birthdays and more. If walls could talk, this house would write a novel of all the love, loss, and happiness that has taken place over the decades inside it's safe and peaceful space.
There is an account set up at Valley Bank for the family if anyone would like to offer support during this very hard time; FBO Allen-Prudden Family at Valley Bank. You can also donate through Venmo @Allen-Prudden. There will be a Go Fund Me and Meal Train set up within the next couple of days as well as a benefit for the family in the near future.
The column of smoke rising near Helena's iconic Old Fire Tower the morning of Monday May 3rd represented major heartbreak and displacement for the Allen-Prudden family who has called the Lissner Massion their family home for over 30 years. Due to safety concerns, they are unable to even set foot inside their home to gather belongings. They been scattered around Helena living with family and friends for indefinite spans of time. Five days later it is still unclear when or if they will be able to move home again. Their home has represented comfort and safety particularly during the challenges of the last year. The goal of this fundraiser is to assist the family with immediate expenses, bridging cost for short term housing, clothing and toiletry, food, insurance deductibles, etc.
The following is more detailed information written by Amy the oldest sibling who is feverishly working to support her family through this overwhelming time.
The Lissner Mansion, home of the Allen-Prudden family for the past 34 years, suffered a terrible fire on Monday, May 3rd, which displaced the family members that were living in the home—Barda, Nathaniel, George Hubbard, and BJ.
George Prudden and Barda Allen purchased the Lissner Mansion in 1987. The Allen-Prudden’s are the second family to ever live in the house since its original owner Marcus Lissner had it built in 1889.
The Allen-Prudden family consists of parents George & Barda, and their five children Amy, George Hubbard, Nathaniel, David, and BJ. The last three children were born in the house.
George was a very talented, well-known flute player and a carpenter by trade; Barda works for the Helena School District as a special education para and is a proud member of the MFPE union; Amy is a mother of three, a realtor with Keller Williams, and has been a server at On Broadway for the past 10 years; George Hubbard took after his father and is a very talented tradesman, as well as a DJ; Nathaniel grew up working at the General Mercantile and is still involved with the shop to this day, and he also has his own jewelry business, Dream Made Treasures; David works at the No Sweat Cafe, and is an exceptional musician and plays with many bands in Helena; BJ is a private house cleaner, the receptionist at Sugar Salon, and a dancer at Cohesion Dance Project.
The Allen-Prudden’s have always had a multi-generational home, with grandmother Helen M. Allen living with them for many years until she passed away peacefully in the home in 2011 at the age of 96. At one point while Helen was still alive, Amy and her husband Ben lived in the home when their first son Leslie was born, making it four generations in the house at one time. Grandmother Helen was delighted to live with her daughter Barda, son-in-law George, grandchildren, and great-grandbaby. The family is thankful they were able to care for Helen in the home until her passing day.
While George wasn’t working on other homes in the Helena community, he would work on renovations in the house. Unfortunately, George was never able to see his renovations finished, as he unexpectedly passed away in his room in August of 2012 at the age of 64. Since George’s passing, his sons have continued to work on the home, most recently refinishing the floor of the upstairs hallway. One room in the house had recently been refinished and offered on AirBnB for guests to stay and enjoy the Montana lifestyle with closeness to the downtown area. It was a vision of Barda’s to finish the home and offer more rooms to the visitors of Helena.
The Allen-Prudden children have lived in the house on and off over the years, with the exception of BJ, the youngest sibling of age 26, who has lived in the home her entire life. The family has always been very tight knit and close, helping each other and anyone else in need, and welcoming them into the home with open arms. The house has been a neighborhood icon for decades with the five Allen-Prudden children and their friends. Between parties, casual get-togethers, and board game nights, there have been many generations of the Helena community that have passed through the doors of this historic home.
The house earned a nickname of “The Pirate House” due to a Jolly Roger flag which proudly flew above the roof for many years. The Pirate House became a landmark for the surrounding neighborhood, and was often used by neighbors when giving directions to visitors.
This house holds countless memories from home births and the passing of family members, to summer parties with live music and large gatherings with as many as 25+ family and friends joining to celebrate Christmas, Thanksgiving, birthdays and more. If walls could talk, this house would write a novel of all the love, loss, and happiness that has taken place over the decades inside it's safe and peaceful space.
There is an account set up at Valley Bank for the family if anyone would like to offer support during this very hard time; FBO Allen-Prudden Family at Valley Bank. You can also donate through Venmo @Allen-Prudden. There will be a Go Fund Me and Meal Train set up within the next couple of days as well as a benefit for the family in the near future.
Organizer and beneficiary
Flannery Herbert
Organizer
Helena, MT
FBO Allen-Prudden Family
Beneficiary
