The energy level at the museums has gone through the roof. Field trip season began March 1 when 51 Longfellow Elementary students arrived for a day at the logging camp and Chippewa Valley Museum. An estimated 775 ECASD students will be visiting the museums this season. This translates into 20 to 55 students plus teachers and chaperones on site most weekdays from 9:15am - 2:00pm until April 12.

As for what else is happening....

Summer Kids Workshops 2023

Registration Opens Saturday, March 11 at 8:00am

Children trying out the frying pan in the Tall Tales Room at the logging museum.

Time Travelers programs are offered for 1st - 5th graders at $8 per session + $5 material fees. Classes run 90 minutes and very class includes a project and snack plus a unique exhibit experience. See class details

• Dairy Daze: June 27th General | June 28th ECASD

• All Stars: July 11th General | July 12th ECASD

• Logging Camp Lore: July 18th General | July 19th ECASD at the Wisconsin Logging Museum and Paul Bunyan Logging Camp

• On the Move:  July 25th General | July 26th ECASD

Students living within Eau Claire Area School District (ECASD) boundaries should register for ECASD Only sessions on Wednesdays to take advantage of special pricing arrangements, Chippewa Valley Museum members can participate in General Sessions on Tuesdays for the cost of materials.

Contact Museum Educator Karen Jacobson with any questions regarding children's programs at k.jacobson@cvmuseum.com | (715) 834-7871

** ECASD families may register for morning or afternoon classes on Wednesdays

The registration link on the museum website goes live at 8:00 am March 11

2023 Summer Teen Guide Program
Now Accepting Applications!

The Teen Guide program is open to students ages 13-17. Students will

• Meet interesting people

• Develop valuable workforce and relationship skills

• Go behind the scenes at the museums

• Immerse themselves in local history and culture

This is a tremendous experience and often the first opportunity for many teens to try out the world of work. The program also provides much needed support for the museums during our busy summer tourist season.

Applications due April 15th

Celebrating AmeriCorps Week March 12-18

Every year, more than 200,000 Americans serve nonprofit organizations through the federally funded AmeriCorps program. Tim Hirsch is one of the 200,000 and is right here at the Chippewa Valley Museum. 

Tim is the museum's first-ever full-time AmeriCorps member and has invigorated our volunteer and internship programs. In his first three months of service, Tim fielded 40 volunteer inquiries and onboarded 14 new volunteers. He also helped coordinate 25+ service group members to support museum events.

More recently, Tim re-engaged Chippewa Valley Museum as a par tner site for the AmeriCorps Seniors program operated by Western Dairyland. The Retired and Senior Volunteer program engages, documents, and celebrates volunteer service among our community members aged 55+. Find out more.

We are delighted to celebrate AmeriCorps week and cheer the work of the millions of AmeriCorps members past and present. 

Chippewa Valley Museum will be applying to the Marshfield Clinic Health Systems Community Corps for a 2023-2024 AmeriCorps Member position. Watch for details.

Art Talk: Abstract Wall Art
 with Christy Skuban and Aubrey Hogan 
Saturday, March 18, 1:30-3:00pm

Join Artists Christy Skuban and Aubrey Hogan in an exploration of their art and innovative processes. The program will include a gallery tour and demonstration of building abstract wall constructions. You'll also enjoy hands-on art-making activities before and after at supervised project stations.

Cost: Included with admission. Free for members. $10/Adult, $8/Senior, $5/Student. 

Advance registration recommended but walk-ins welcome.

Wool Spinning Class

April 1, 12:00-3:00 pm

Two seats left! Make your own beautiful yarn under the guidance of Janie Mininger. The class is geared for beginners and those who desire a refresher course. Class fee includes use of spinning wheel, roving, and personalized instruction.

Ages 13 and Older | 2-4 students only per class | Cost: $90/student or $80/CVM member.

Contact Karen Jacobson at k.jacobson@cvmuseum.com for details.

Save The Date:  April 17

Volunteer Recognition Dinner, 4:00 - 7:00pm 

The museum thrives because of volunteer support, and we want to thank you for all you do. Watch your mail for your invitation and event details.

Maple tree tap, photographer Ruth Forsgen. Courtesy Beaver Creek Reserve.

The sap is running, a sure sign of spring. Our Triple Play partner Beaver Creek Reserve is holding Maple Sap Saturday this Saturday, March 11, from 9:00am - 1:00 pm. Chippewa Valley Museum will be at the event (just like Beaver Creek Reserve was at our Folk Arts Festival). Triple Play members can participate at a discount.

Hang on, winter is almost over.

Peace,
Carrie Ronnander
Executive Director, Chippewa Valley Museum

PS - Last summer, a National Endowment for the Humanities grant provided the financial support to spend time researching people often underrepresented in local history. Some of the material was turned into guided bike tours and the research itself is available for future projects.

Henry Hudson, long forgotten, was re-discovered during this research. Below is a short history written by Jodi Kiffmeyer.

Henry Hudson, line 94, is listed as living at 516 River St (Graham Ave), 1910 Federal Census

Henry Hudson probably arrived in Eau Claire sometime between 1904-1906 and set up a junkyard on River St. (now Graham Ave.), where the steamboat landing marker now stands. A Black man, Hudson was born in Indiana the year after the Civil War ended. His time in Eau Claire illustrates the mixed welcome Black citizens could expect to receive in the city during the early years of the 20th Century.

Residents of Eau Claire described Hudson as a successful and self-made businessman. His junkyard, similar to a recycling center of today, collected materials for processing and reuse.

Recurring ad in the Eau Claire Leader, 1907

In 1907, Hudson petitioned the City Council for permission to build a wood frame structure on his property. Two other businesses made identical requests at the meeting; only Hudson's request was denied, on the basis that too many wooden buildings created a fire hazard. The Council then immediately approved a resolution allowing them to purchase or condemn Henry's property for the purpose of beautifying the new federal government building nearby. The Eau Claire newspaper reported they drew a "color line" on the issue.

Former steamboat landing on the east bank of the Chippewa River, just north of the Madison street bridge, February 2023.

The evening of April 5, 1920, Henry and a white man, John Sather, engaged in an altercation on the steps of the post office. Sather shot and killed Hudson and was arrested shortly afterward. His murder trial focused heavily on Hudson's character, and the jury accepted Sather's argument of self-defense. Not everyone approved of the outcome -- on April 22, the Eau Claire Leader published a lengthy letter to the editor from an anonymous citizen who described Hudson as patriotic, charitable, and a man of his word.

Next time you see the steamboat landing, take some time to remember Henry Hudson. --Jodi, CVM Archivist

A selection from the letter eulogizing Henry Hudson, Eau Claire Leader, 22 Apr 1920