The Schlegelmilch House yard and museum grounds are looking pretty spiffy thanks to the efforts of more than 40 volunteers. These volunteers came out on a chilly Saturday morning as part of the citywide Amazing Eau Claire Cleanup project organized by the City of Eau Claire. 

There's quite a bit going on inside the museum and lots of dates to mark down on your calendar. The Wisconsin Logging Museum opens May 30 and will have the same operating days and hours as the Chippewa Valley Museum. Now is a great time to become a member and support all that is happening at the Chippewa Valley Museum.

Now Showing!

¡Pleibol! In the Barrios and the Big Leagues / En los barrios y las grandes ligas 

Kansas City Lady Aztecas softball team, Kansas City, Kansas, 1939.

Roberta Barbosa joined the Eau Claire Braves in 1957 making him the first Latino to play minor league baseball in Eau Claire. You can learn more about the impact Latino and Latina baseball players have had on America's pastime in the traveling exhibit ¡Pleibol! In the Barrios and the Big Leagues / En los barrios y las grandes ligas.

Upcoming exhibit: Play Ball 

May 16 - December 31

There's more to local baseball history than Hank Aaron and the Eau Claire Bears. For instance, did you know indoor baseball was a popular pasttime for more than four decades? Discover new stories, see baseball memorabilia, and read about local legends in this all-new exhibit designed to complement the traveling exhibit ¡Pleibol! In the Barrios and the Big Leagues.

Looking Ahead to June

Vintage Base Ball Game

Saturday, June 10, 1-5pm, Gelein Field, Carson Park

Spend an hour or an afternoon seeing how base ball (as it was originally spelled) was once played when the Menomonie Blue Caps take on the Afton Red Socks in a double header at Gelein Softball Field, Carson Park. The teams play by 1860s rules and equipment -- no gloves, mind you -- so it's quite an experience. Ohana Pizza Food Truck will be on site to meet your 21st century food needs.

Suggested base ball game admission: 2 bits (.25 cents). 

Sponsored by Dunn County Historical Society

They pitched underhand in the 1860s, as shown in this vintage base ball game from last October. This made for some rather remarkable scores. The article below, printed in the Eau Claire Weekly Free Press on July 24, 1873, noted the final score was 63 - 60 in seven innings. 

Flag Day Program:

WWII Vet Cliff Omtvedt's Story

Tuesday, June 13, 6:30-7:30pm

Following an overview of the Bataan Death March and WWII Japanese POW camps with Todd Johnson, Cliff Omtvedt's daughters will discuss their father's and other POW experiences with accompanying photos and memorabilia.

This is a free, hybrid program. Use the buttons below to attend in-person or virtually. Pre-register to secure a seat. Walk-ins welcome if room is available.

American Red Cross Blood Drive

Monday, June 26, 10:00am - 4:00 pm

The Chippewa Valley Museum is hosting another American Red Cross Blood Drive! Do good and visit the Chippewa Valley Museum all in one day. All blood donors are invited to view exhibits before or after their appointments. Visit redcrossblood.org and use the sponsor code “Chippewa Valley Museum” to register today.

Save the Date: August 10-13

US Open Chainsaw Sculpture Championship

This four-day event features chainsaw carvers from around the world and includes admission to all Wisconsin Logging Museum and Chippewa Valley Museum exhibits, music on Friday and Saturday, children's activities, food and beer, and just a whole lot of fun. 

Follow the US Open Chainsaw Scupture Championship Facebook page to learn details as they are released, and watch for more information on the museum website cvmuseum.com.

Current Hours through May 27

Tuesday: 5pm - 8 pm

Wednesday - Saturday: 12pm - 5 pm

Closed Memorial Day

Summer Hours, May 30 - Sept. 3

Wisconsin Logging Museum and Chippewa Valley Museum

Tuesday: 5pm - 8 pm

Wednesday - Sunday: 12pm - 5 pm

Ice Cream Parlor at Chippewa Valley Museum open Fri - Sat, 1pm-5pm

Phew. This is a full newsletter, and I didn't even mention the Sunday outdoor music concerts scheduled for July. Happy Mothers' Day early to all moms who have helped raise the next generation.

Peace,
Carrie Ronnander
Chippewa Valley Museum Executive Director

PS - Archivist Jodi Kiffmeyer recently wrapped up a series of social media posts about the Drywood community in Chippewa County settled by Bohemian immigrants. Comments left on some of the posts helped correct museum records and provided a deeper understanding of the community as it exists today. I just have to say it -- social media can be used for good. We love reading stories shared by others and hearing from family members. We also appreciate questions, additions, and corrections. 

Below is the opening post for the Drywood series. To read more about Drywood and the people who lived there, go to #CVMDrywood or select the button below. 

William Buresh playing accordion for the wedding of Bohemian immigrants, John and Annie Sedivy, ca. 1909-1910 (CVM 901200-0048-001)

The Bohemian (Czech) settlement at Drywood, located near the intersection of CTH-S and Hwy. 27 in Chippewa County, had its beginnings in 1898. That year, the Cypreanson Brothers Land Co. of Eau Claire hired a Bohemian, Vincent Benesh, to find buyers for their cutover land. Previously, most Bohemian immigrants in Wisconsin were concentrated in the eastern and southwestern regions of the state. Benesh placed advertisements in Czech-language newspapers across the country. About 100 immigrant families, most of whom were working in factories or renting farms, jumped at the chance to begin new lives on their own land.

These settlers formed a tight-knit community that retains many aspects of Czech culture to this day.