Chuck Baker, Esq. Extraordinaire

Hope is a town that prides itself on our character, and we lost a great one Saturday.  Charles “Chuck” Baker could be a bit of a curmudgeon, but engage him on the right subject and you’d see him light up.  He was so passionate about history.  He had a kind and generous spirit, belied by initial gruff impressions.  A one of a kind artesian, he was very well known for the work he did locally restoring Zaharakos ice cream parlor to its former glory.  He worked on the tin ceiling there and in the Yellow Trail Museum in Hope.  He left behind a career in law for tin smithing and became renowned in the field of historical restoration, working extensively in the Moravian town Old Winston Salem in North Carolina.  He also made and restored chandeliers.  A fan of the whimsical and magical side of life, Chuck also handcrafted wizard wands.  His wands were made from wood, real bone, teeth and claws. 

Chuck enjoyed historical reenactments.  He was a treasure to the children of Hope.  Every Halloween he would display his cabinet of curiosities, with engaging Hoosier artifacts from the girl of the Limberlost and James Dean. It held just the right touch of the macabre.  He also decorated the latest space he was working on restoring, the old Norton Drugstore, enlisting the help of Barry Beeker to read uplifting fortunes as “Wanda Zonderful.”  An annual staple in the pioneer village at Heritage Days, you could find him displaying pelts and demonstrating rifle making. A staunch supporter of Civil War Days he always showed up in period costume. 

He also lent his expertise to the Main Street of Hope during the downtown revitalization project, advising on what would fit best with Hope’s true history.  He provided the suggestion of round street lights, stating they are what Hope used to have.  He would know, as he recalled with a chuckle, because he shot some of them out! I was honored to enlist his help and tap from his deep well of knowledge on Hope’s history.  As the chairperson of the design committee he would jokingly refer to me as “his boss.”  He was in a league of his own and certainly did not need me to direct him!

I first became acquainted with Chuck Baker after the loss of Larry Simpson when I first started volunteering with the museum and the town.  Dave Miller wrote an editorial in the Hope Star Journal encouraging locals to get involved.  I was touched by what I read, and I did.  Goodies Ghosts and Goblins got me started.  I went on to work with Chuck at Civil War Days, Christmas of Yesteryear, and Groundhog Day. We are going to need many more characters to step up and fill Chuck Baker’s shoes.  I was not done learning from him, but I’ll keep doing my best for Hope.  I hope you do too.  You can grumble about it all you want, just like Chuck, but just keep showing up with a smile.  Waxed mustache and costume optional.