MUSEUM MUSINGS. Summer Intern. Coming Events GENEVA LAKE MUSEUM NEWSLETTER. Summer Braden Kundert Intern

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1 GENEVA LAKE MUSEUM NEWSLETTER MUSEUM MUSINGS Summer 2018 Coming Events Summer Intern We are again happy to announce the museum s selection of our choice for the 2nd Annual Karen Walsh Internship Program for 2018, and would like to introduce our new intern, Braden Kundert. Braden is from Lake Geneva and is a recent graduate of Badger High School. While at Badger, Braden was president of the Badger History Club, which is how he became familiar with the museum. He was also president of the local FFA along with Linn and Walworth County 4H organizations. Braden has also been active in many local community events such as community education, fundraisers and local park restorations. During his time with us at the museum, Braden will have the opportunity to learn how a local museum functions on a day to day basis and will experience the various roles and skills that are required. He will focus on technical and computer skills, historical research, customer service and day to day problem solving. Braden will be attending Carthage College as a Clausen Scholar, with a full tuition scholarship in the Fall. He will pursue a double major in Political Science and History with a Spanish minor. Braden has a definite love of local history. He hopes to eventually attend Law School and is interested in getting into politics. Mayor or President Braden, you have our votes! The GLM staff is enjoying working with Braden and we look forward to him being with us until August when he leaves for school. If you have not met him yet, stop by, say Hi and welcome him. Braden Kundert Intern

2 BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT VICE PRESIDENT SECRETARY TREASURER Marianne Bonifacic Barbara Buelter James Davis Charles Ebeling Patricia Gee Jeffrey Glass Gerri Green DIRECTORS ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Director of Administration Director of Operations Curator Office Manager Staff MUSEUM MUSINGS is a periodic newsletter by Geneva Lake Museum that provides pertinent information to museum members and supporters. The museum is located at the intersection of Mill Street and Highway 50 (Main St) 255 Mill Street Lake Geneva, WI (262) Ed Schwinn James Gee Lynn Grayson Mike Ploch Dana Hagenah Steve Littig Vern Magee Beth Whiting David C. Williams Kathleen Yih Thomas Yoder Janet Ewing Dale Buelter Helen Brandt Patricia Cramer John Gelshenen GenevaLakeMuseum.org staff@genevalakemuseum.org We are Pleased to Welcome Our New Lead Textile Person, Hazel Dickfoss Hazel Dickfoss, Lead Textile Person: Geneva Lakes Museum. When the opportunity to work with the textile collection came my way I was excited, mostly because I have studied 18 th century textiles and clothing since 1975 when my family first began reenacting the lives of the ordinary people of America during the Revolutionary War. Strangely enough history was not one of my favorite subjects in school but actually trying to spend a weekend in the shoes of a woman of the army living in the camp brings an understanding of how hard the lives of the people were when they fought for the freedoms we now enjoy. In 1975, textiles and costumes were not a high priority for museums, with little research being done into what the ordinary civilian people wore, much less about that of the fairer sex. Since then it has been recognized as important, not just as costume but as art. For me personally, historic items of clothing are irreplaceable treasures that have stories to tell and must be carefully stored so they remain for the people who come after us who will want to study and enjoy them. My goal is to continue the work of my predecessors in creating an inventory of the collection on-line which will include a description, provenance (if known) and a photograph. I will also create individual cotton covers for each garment, easing any stress on the fabric and placing the more delicate silk garments in acid free boxes to prevent any further damage. The work is on-going, as the most important task in conserving textiles is keeping each garment clean and free from pests, this means carefully vacuuming, lightly brushing and seeing to simple repairs. Also, the use of a special stabilizing fabric will be used where the textile has already shattered. The museum will see many changes to its displays with more clothing mounted and changed regularly as this too helps with the conservation. Welcome aboard Hazel!

3 Curators Corner Mapping the Past The Mill Street Centre in the Geneva Lake Museum will soon showcase a new exhibit. The exhibit, now in the implementation stage, will feature a collection of maps as the focal point. The maps all feature the Geneva Lake area in a time frame from the earliest, an 1871 Bird's Eye view of Lake Geneva, to a 2017 Geneva Lake depths rendering. The maps are a generous donation from Lake Geneva resident, and long time collector, Ed Weed. Geneva Lake Museum president, Ed Schwinn, was aware of Mr. Weed's collection and, upon viewing, was Helen Brandt, Museum Curator most favorably impressed. Mr. Schwinn further suggested that Mr. Weed might like to put a number of these maps on loan to the museum so that an exhibit could be mounted. Mr. Weed responded with great enthusiasm and stated that the maps would receive donor status, rather than a loan. The museum is greatly indebted to Mr. Weed for his most generous gesture. The maps will be mounted, as well as displayed in showcases, and arranged in chronological order. In addition to the Weed collection, the Wisconsin Historical Society/Black Point Estate, has made a generous loan of a map of Geneva, Wi., circa This is one of the earliest maps of Geneva, WI. known to exist. Oddly enough, the map was discovered in Black Point's elevator. The map is a real gem and, considering its age, is in quite good condition. To complement the maps, photographs and artifacts from the estates along the shores of Geneva Lake will also be featured. New at the Museum We are very excited to have received a table and stools from the Russian Tea House that stood on the Crane Estate, Jerseyhurst. It was originally purchased by Richard Teller Crane at the World s Fair in St. Louis in Jim Rezell, Dale Buelter, Braden Kundert and John Notz The Russian Building 1904 Volunteers Needed We are looking for a few good volunteers. If you have even just a few hours per month, please contact Janet, Pat or Helen at or us at staff@genevalakemuseum.org About the Museum Established in 1984 by the Geneva Lake History Buffs. We moved to our present location in July Exhibits and programs create a connection between today s world and that of the 19 th Century Geneva Lake Area. The museum serves as a family-oriented educational and entertainment venue telling the story of how life developed around the shores of Geneva Lake. Our reference library contains thousands of items including books, photographs and other archival reference materials to aid in a variety of research goals. The museum preserves Geneva Lake area s history to build a collective memory of our unique and rich heritage. Member contributions are invaluable to furthering the museum s mission. Members of the Geneva Lake Museum become part of a like minded community dedicated to preserving our heritage. Special thanks to Sue and Rick Parker who donated the set and also to John Notz who was instrumental in acquiring the donation.

4 A Big Turnout for International Museum Day/Children s Art Festival May 12th was our third year of teaming up with Geneva Lake Women s Club and was a big success, with over 800 people attending. Thanks to all who participated, including the talented artists from 19 local schools, Rock Central Musicians, Lakeland Animal Shelter, Lake Geneva Fire Department and all the volunteers. Special thanks also to our sponsors, Lake Geneva Country Meats, Grand Geneva and Stinebrink s Piggly Wiggly. A Very Special Thank You! The Geneva Lake Museum would like to thank the Lake Geneva Jaycees for their very generous donation in order to provide electronic handicap access for our front door. Everyone can now enter the museum with great ease and we are very grateful. The Geneva Lake Museum would also like to thank the Geneva Lake Association, Inc for their very generous grant to help fund an upgrade on our electronics and computer systems. We appreciate your support! A big THANK YOU to all who have generously donated money and time to the museum this season. Your continued support makes preserving the past for the future possible.

5 Fun and Informative Programs 17th 24th 31st 2 Schedule Please note: Programs are subject to change. July Purple Martin Birds in Lake Geneva: Helen Pugh of the Racine Audubon Society will talk about the importance of these birds and their many new condominiums around town courtesy of the Lake Geneva Avian Committee. History of the Button Family of Lake Geneva: Allan and Fritz Button will present the story of one of the earliest families to settle in Lake Geneva and whom Button s Bay was named for. President Theodore Roosevelt: Reenactor Ed O Brien returns as President Teddy Roosevelt. August Looking for a Lake Geneva Gift? Visit our New and Improved Gift Shop. We invite you to visit our museum gift shop. These are just a few of our items. We have photos of Lake Geneva, maps, sweat shirts, jewelry, magnets etc. 7th 14th 21st History of Covenant Harbor: Camp Director Ray Warren will present the long history of this beautiful camp that was once the George Sturges estate named Snug Harbor. Lake Geneva Toy Inventors: Peter Greenley from G2 Inventions will present. Peter is a mechanical engineer with a design degree and his business partner is an electronic engineer. Together, they invent robotic toys for children. To be announced 28th The Time is Now to Help: Named one of CNN s Top 10 Heroes, Sal Dimiceli will speak about the local charity he started to fulfill his childhood promise to relieve the pains of poverty. We also have a great many books specific to the Geneva Lake area and to Chicago. If you need a little something for the younger set, check out our stock of books, activity books, cut-outs, puzzles and coloring books. They teach as well as entertain. We also offer a large selection of vintage lake area photos, matted and ready for framing as well as some already framed. All profits from the gift shop go to support the museum and our exhibits. Our members all receive a 10% discount on all regular priced merchandise. Genevalakemuseum.org Admission Adult $7 Children through high school FREE Seniors and College Students with ID $6 Active Military FREE