MUSEUM HAPPENINGS

October 4, 2024

October is here and full of activities. Take a look.

A doe and her triplets were recently seen having a family picnic on the Paul Bunyan island near the Wisconsin Logging Museum.

Volunteer Open House

Monday, October 14, 11am - 12pm

The volunteer open house is an opportunity for all current and newly interested museum volunteers to gather and connect. Please extend the invitation to your friends and join us.

Enjoy coffee and snacks
Connect with volunteers & staff
Be informed about museum plans and upcoming changes
Learn about new ways to volunteer with the museum

American Red Cross Blood Drive

Monday, October 21, 10am - 4pm

October is a time the blood inventory bounces-back from summer lows and builds the blood supply for the upcoming holiday seasons. You are needed to make this happen. If you are able to give blood, join us for our Monday, October 21st Chippewa Valley Museums blood drive from 10am – 4pm.

All donors who give in October will receive a $10 e-gift card and chance to win one of three $5,000 gift cards. Check eligibility requirements for blood donation.

Schedule Blood Donation

Upcoming Vintage Skills Programs

Beginner Wool Spinning

Saturday, October 26, 12 - 3pm

Instructor Janie Miniger is back and wants to help you learn how to make your own yarn. This class is suitable for beginners and those who wish to refresh their knowledge about wool spinning. Participants are welcome to bring their own spinning wheels. Otherwise, the instructor will supply all equipment. and roving.

Class is limited to three students, ages 13 and older.

Cost is $90/student or $80/student with CVM membership discount applied. Contact Karen Jacobson at k.jacobson@cvmuseum.com for details.

Beginner Beadwork Class

Saturday, November 2, 1 - 4pm

Instructor and beadwork artist Kindra Lockman explores contemporary styles of beading in this introductory beadwork class. Students will learn peyote and brick work stitches and leave with a completed project. Project choices include a backpack pull, small badge reel, or pair of earrings.

Class size is limited to 10 participants ages 10 and older.

Cost is $70 per registration, or $60 with member discount. Contact Karen Jacobson at k.jacobson@cvmuseum.com for details.

Intermediate Beadwork Class

Saturday, November 16, 1 - 4pm

Beadwork artist Kindra Lockman returns to offer instruction for those with prior beadwork experience, or for students who have completed her beginning beadwork class. This workshop is intended to deepen your knowledge about beading and advance your skill level. Project options include a cellphone Pop Socket, medallion necklace, or patch.

Class size is limited to 15 participants ages 13 and older. Cost is $95 per registration, or $85 with member discount.

Your Museum Needs You

Museum members are vital to museum health. You make sure the stories about Uniroyal, about Sacred Heart Hospital, about life in the "1900s" are saved so future generations know the things that made our region unique. Members make it possible to offer school field trips, bring in new exhibits, and save community treasures like the HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital Heritage Wall.

Museum members make the museum what is, and you get something back in return. Members receive special discounts, free admission to museum exhibits all year-long, free research time in the museum archive, and the good feeling that you are making a difference.

Let's make history together.

Become a Member

October is for Halloween!

Mystery at Schlegelmilch Escape Room

now - October 27

Put together your own Mystery Gang and help unmask the villain who is haunting the Schlegelmilch House. Proceeds from the escape room support museum operations and programs.

Location: Historic Schlegelmilch House, 517 S. Farwell Street

Cost: $140, 2-4 players, $40 each additional player up to 12 max.

Reservations required. Bookings available Wednesday - Sunday through October 27.

For questions contact Tactical Escape 101, 715-418-0012. For reservations and escape room details, visit tacticalescape101.com.

Make Reservation

Saturday, October 19

Note: Chippewa Valley Museums will be closed for general visitation this day

Chippewa Valley Museums has teamed up with the Chippewa Valley Theatre Guild to deliver Halloween-worthy chills and thrills in the Carson Park.

Boo Bash

3:00-6:00pm, All Ages

Live Tall Tale performances in the Bunkhouse, Schoolhouse, and Anderson Log House
Vintage Halloween short films
Halloween crafts
Flashlight scavenger hunt in the Farm Life exhibit
Family Smores kits
"I-Scream" treats for purchase

Cost: $10/person, $5 for children under 13. Members must log-in for discounts.

Chills After Dark

7:00-9:00pm, 16+

Live performances of Chilling “True” Tales in the Bunkhouse, Schoolhouse, and Anderson Log House
Haunted Machine Shed
Historic Horror Movies
Flashlight scavenger hunt in the Farm Life exhibit
Morbid Curiosities on display
Mocktails, beer, and "I-Scream" treats for purchase

Cost: $20 person with discounts for members.

Reserve Tickets

Reservations required. Live theater performances are offered every 15 minutes. You will need to reserve a starting time slot. All other activities can be experienced at your own pace. Contact Dustyn Dubuque or Olaf Lind for reservation assistance.

Carson Park 5 & 10

Saturday, October 26

Finish your October by participating in this year's Carson Park 5&10 on Saturday, October 26.

Race options: 5K run or walk, 10-mile run, 1 mile and 1/4 kid's BOO-gie run or walk.

Proceeds from the event are split 50/50 with the Indianhead Track Club and help support the missions of both organizations.

Thank you to sponsors Scheels and Festival Foods

October is such a fun and full month. Even if Halloween is not your thing, there's fall foliage, apple orchards, and the smells of autumn. Enjoy.

Peace,

Carrie Ronnander, Executive Director, Chippewa Valley Museums

P.S. Royal Credit Union is celebrating its 60th anniversary next weekend. It's as good of time as any to look back at this origins of RCU.

In 1964, forty-one members of Local 19 at the U.S. Rubber tire factory in Eau Claire voted to start the "Royal Credit Union" to promote workers' savings and thrift. John Thompson was the first treasurer and later became president. Thompson worked in the tread room at night so he could dedicate his days to traveling through the plant with payroll deduction cards and applications for small "bread and butter" loans.

The photo shows the first page of the credit union's member ledger, courtesy Royal Credit Union.

RCU’s first treasurer and president John Thompson, about 1970. Courtesy RCU.

Royal Credit Union opened its first office on May 1, 1964 in an 8x10 foot room in Building Two. It was only there a few months before moving to a permanent location in the old International Harvester building. RCU moved into larger offices as the credit union grew. In 1972, RCU moved completely out of the factory area and into its very own building on Hastings Way. Below is an architectural drawing of the first RCU building before it opened in June 1972.

In 1975, RCU expanded its charter beyond Uniroyal workers and their families to include the entire community. Within ten years, the credit union had 45,000 members. In 2024, RCU has more than 300,000 members with locations in Western Wisconsin, Eastern Minnesota, and the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area.

Royal Credit Union is celebrating its diamond jubilee on Saturday, October 12th. I was told I could share the invite, so here it is. Below the invitation is a classic 1980s RCU commercial. You can see more 1980s ads by going to the RCU 60th anniversary page.

Become a Museum Member