Spring field trip season is not just for elementary students. This week 36 UW-Madison students spent an afternoon here as part of a five-day Wisconsin Experience Bus Tour. This goal of this UW student tour is "to experience some of the greatest sights Wisconsin has to offer, learn from its diverse communities, and get a glimpse of the inner workings of its organizations." It was an honor to be on the itinerary.

And now, ready for summer? 

Now Open!

Member opening for Play Ball, May 18

America's pasttime takes center stage at the Chippewa Valley Museum this summer. Two exhibits -- one national in scope, the other focused on the Chippewa Valley --  explore baseball history. Kids (and adults) can even make their own baseball cards and find out their vintage baseball name.  

Blue Star Museums offer free admission to active-duty military personnel, including National Guard and Reserve, and their families. This summer, the program runs from May 20 to September 3. To find museums nationwide visit arts.gov/bluestarmuseums.

As a merged organization, Chippewa Valley Museum AND Wisconsin Logging Museum are Blue Star Museums.

Wisconsin Logging Museum opens May 30

Summer Hours 

Wisconsin Logging Museum and Chippewa Valley Museum

Tuesday: 5pm - 8pm

Wednesday - Sunday: 12pm - 5pm

Closed Mondays

Reminder: Closed Memorial Day

Log House and School House will also
open upon request starting May 30

 Volunteers Needed
More open hours and more visitors mean more need for volunteers to greet visitors at both museums and help in the ice cream parlor. Fill out a volunteer interest form below.

Summer Admission starting May 30

Wisconsin Logging Museum and Chippewa Valley Museum

One museum: $12/adult, $10/senior, $5/youth 5-17 & students with Id

Wisconsin Logging Museum OR Chippewa Valley Museum

Both museums: $18/adult; $7/youth 5-17 & students with ID

includes entry to 1867 Anderson Log House, Sunnyview Schoolhouse, 1890s reproduction logging camp, and all exhibit galleries at both museums

FREE for museum members and Blue Star Families

Summer at a Glance

JUNE

Saturday June 10, Menomonie Blue Caps Doubleheader Vintage Base Ball Game, 1:00 – 5:00 pm, Gelein Field, Carson Park.

Tuesday June 13, Flag Day Program: POW experiences, WWII Cliff Omtvedt’s Story, 6:30 – 7:30 pm, hybrid. Register for in-person. Register for virtual.

Monday June 26: American Red Cross Blood Drive, 10a-4pm, Chippewa Valley Museum. Sign-up by using "Chippewa Valley Museum" in search term or by contacting Tim Hirsch, 715-834-7871.

JULY

Sunday, July 2: Music on the Lawn: Hey Joe Band

Sunday, July 16: Music on the Lawn: Peter Phippen trio

Monday, July 17: Downtown Walking Tour, 6:00 – 7:30 led by Archivist Jodi Kiffmeyer. Registration available soon.

Thursday, July 20: German Beer Tasting in the Gardens, Schlegelmilch House. Watch for registration information.

Sunday, July 30: Music on the Lawn: Naalia

August

Thursday August 3rd or 17th, Walking Tour: Eau Claire’s Forest Hill Cemetery, Part III, 6:00 – 7:30 pm.

Thursday, August 10th-Sunday, August 13th:US Open Chainsaw Sculpture Championship, Carson Park. Learn more and purchase tickets. 

Congratulations to all graduates and thank you to all educators. 

Peace,
Carrie Ronnander
Chippewa Valley Museum Executive Director

PS - It's been a busy month so rather than a longer local history tidbit I'll leave you with a collection of thoughts.

** I'm a subpar proofreader. Some of you may be nodding and saying, yes, that is true. Case in point. I misspelled Roberto Barbosa's name in the last newsletter, then misspelled it AGAIN in the follow-up email. However, my bigger error was claiming Barbosa was the first Latino player to play professionally in the Chippewa Valley. Not true. As an experienced historian,  I should know better than to casually make any "first" claims, but got sloppy in my research. I'm sorry for sharing false history. I haven't figured out who was the first Latino player here, and would welcome somebody taking on that research project.

** Working in a city park has its rewards. This week a mama deer left her fawn in a shrub off the museum deck, much to the delight of Whitehall 4th graders. After being alerted to the fawn's presence, we cordoned the area off with caution tape and traffic cones. Below are photos taken by the students' teacher Mrs. Juhr.

** It's Memorial Day on May 29. Great sacrifices have been made for this nation, and it should be a day to pause, remember, and honor those who have died while serving in the U.S. military. Suggestions for places to visit: local cemeteries, Wisconsin Veterans Tribute in Cadott, The Highground Veterans Memorial in Neillsville, and Chippewa Valley Veterans Park in Altoona. I'll leave you with words from one of my heroes:

"It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced.... that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." -- Abraham Lincoln, excerpt from his Gettysburg Address, November 19, 1863