Who Was Belle Skinner?

 

Belle Skinner (1866–1928)

Ruth Isabelle (Belle) Skinner was a businesswoman and philanthropist, who in the aftermath of the war helped rebuild the small French town of Hattonchatel. Descendant of a highly successful silk manufacturer in Holyoke, Massachusetts, she became a benefactor in later life and shared her (good) fortune. After being in France during the First World War and seeing with her own eyes the utter destruction of her beloved country, Francophile Skinner felt the urge to help the people so desperately in need. She founded and presided the American Committee of "Villages Libérés," an initiative among American cities in order to adopt French villages and to support them financially in their postwar reconstructions. She convinced her own city Holyoke to adopt Apremont-la-Forêt, where so many Massachusetts men had fought and were killed, and to aid restoration of its waterworks.

American Troops Waiting to Advance in a Badly Damaged Hattonchâtel,
September 1918

Belle herself adopted the village of Hattonchâtel, which was in ruins after the Great War, and she funded about $1 million in its reconstruction, an extremely generous sum for the time. She wanted the village rebuilt like it was before the war and with her help the ancient castle, town hall, local school, library, several monuments and about 20 houses are being reconstructed, and running water and electricity are being furnished. The villagers adopted Belle in their hearts as well, and lovingly called her their village’s godmother. Reconstructions took up to around 1928, the same year Belle died, after contracting pneumonia. Many traces can still be found in the village that remind us of this remarkable woman, decades ahead of her time. Her generosity is well honored in the village, and her story is being passed on over generations—and rightly so!

Château de Hattonchâtel in Winter

She selected a village with a remarkable heritage and location. Built on a rocky spur in the 9th century, with a superb view of the Heights of the Meuse and the Woëvre plain, Hattonchâtel, was envied by Richelieu, sacked by Swedes, occupied by Germans, and bombarded by Americans before Belle went to work. On 25 September 1914, Hattonchâtel was captured by German troops of the 6th Army. The village remained in German hands for the next four years. 

For her relentless efforts Belle Skinner was rewarded with the Medal of French Gratitude in 1919 and, two years later, the Legion of Honor from the French government.

Sources:  Coeur de Lorraine; WWI Centennial Commission; Smithsonian