Summer is full-steam ahead at the museums. Staff and volunteers enjoyed an end-of-school-year ice cream social on June 6. A few days later, almost 75 people were in the stands for the 1860s base ball game before rain sent spectators and players home. (Yes, the one rainstorm we've had in weeks fell exactly during a museum outdoor program.) And, seven teens have completed behind-the-scenes training preparing them for a summer of service at the museum. 

We're ready for a great summer. Are you?

Staff and volunteers took a group photo with Paul and Babe just like the school groups.

2023 Teen Guides!

Seven teens just wrapped up their program training at the museum. During training, teens toured spaces the public never sees -- collections storage, archive, design studio, and shop. They spent a day at the Schlegelmilch House and toured the logging camp buildings. Teens also practiced visitor service skills like answering phone calls and taking admission. Soon they will be welcoming visitors, serving ice cream treats, providing interpretation for historic buildings, and assisting with summer classes and outreach.

Welcome Crow, Sam, Jonathan, Elijah, Shannah, Bodhi, and Jackson

Merger Update: A New Name

Chippewa Valley Museums

The Board of Directors approved Chippewa Valley Museums as the official name of the merged organization. Each site within the organization will have its own designation -- eg, Paul Bunyan Logging Camp, Anderson Log House, and Schlegelmilch House. We are working to identify a name for the building long known as Chippewa Valley Museum. Until we do, it is likely you will hear both Chippewa Valley Museum and Chippewa Valley Museums.

Thank you to all who worked to iron out financial, legal, facilities, administative, and personnel merger details. There's more ironing to do on the operational side of things, but for all intents and purposes, the merger is complete. Congratulations to those who made this happen.

American Red Cross Blood Drive

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

Please join us for a blood drive at Chippewa Valley Museum on Monday, June 26, 2023 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Visit RedCrossBlood.org and use "Chippewa Valley Museum" as the sponsor code. Contact Tim Hirsch (715-834-7871) for scheduling assistance. 

Museum exhibits will be open exclusively to blood donors on June 26. Donors will also receive a $10 egift card to a merchant of their choice, provided by American Red Cross.

Use Sponsor Code "Chippewa Valley Museum"

Coming in July

Music on the Lawn Concert Series

The lineup is set. Bring a chair or blanket to camp out on the museum lawn and listen to music. Music on the Lawn is free and open to all. 

• Sunday, July 2, 1:30 pm: Hey Joe! Band

• Sunday July 16, 2:00 pm: Peter Phippen with Victoria Shoemaker and Rahbi Crawford

• Sunday, July 30, 2:00 pm: Naalia

Downtown Walking Tour

The Sawdust City Scuttlebutt: Gossip from Eau Claire’s Past

Monday, July 17, 6:00-7:30 pm

Join Archivist Jodi Kiffmeyer for a downtown tour. You’ll get to know several of Eau Claire’s most famous characters including Darius Bresee, JJ Auer, and Dr. Annette Shaw. What was the Watson Diamond Case? You’ll have to tag along to find out. Registration is required with limited spots available. 

Cost: $10/adult, $8/senior, $5 youth and students

Recommended for ages 13+

Schlegelmilch House

Beer Tasting in the Gardens

Thursday, July 20, 6:30-7:30 pm

Last year's wine tasting event at the Schlegelmilch House

Eric Nelson from Coffee Grounds will lead a 21+ beer tasting event outside the Schlegelmilch House on Thursday, July 20 from 6:30 – 7:30 pm. Arrive early and enjoy a self-guided tour of the Schlegelmilch House from 6:00 – 6:30 pm. Registration is required with limited seats available.

Cost: $35/person and includes a complimentary Paul Bunyan Logging Camp pint glass.

Your Help is Needed

There's still more to come this summer --

Children's summer classes • lecture on the 19th century Cornell University Land Agency in Eau Claire (July 27 - save the date!) • baseball exhibit expansion • Have You Heard? Object Theater exhibit opening • Forest Hill Cemetery walking tours • a new book from the Chippewa Valley Museum Press -- Reflections of Eau Claire: A Photo History of the City, 1873-1998 coming July • and, a new discounted museum admission and membership program for economically disadvantaged individuals and families.

Then there is the biggest event of all, the US Open Chainsaw Sculpture Championship from August 10-13. Tickets are available at uschainsawchamps.com

Gifts help make all this possible.

Make a donation by selecting the button below or mailing a check to Chippewa Valley Museum, PO 1204, Eau Claire, WI 54702. Thank you.

Enjoy all that is offered at the Chippewa Valley Museums this summer. Thank you for caring for your museums.

Peace,
Carrie Ronnander
Chippewa Valley Museum Executive Director

PS -- Last year, Diane Omtvedt and her sister Dale Gable offered to let the Chippewa Valley Museum digitize WWII letters sent back and forth between their father Cliff Omtvedt and his family. After reviewing the collection and listening the sisters talk about their father,  Archivist Jodi Kiffmery quickly realized his was no ordinary story.

Jodi proposed a program centered around Cliff's time in the war. "Flag Day Program: POW Experiences featuring Cliff Omtvedt's Story" took place at the museum this past Tuesday, June 13. More than 50 people attended in person, another couple dozen viewed the program online. it was a wonderful collaboration between the sisters, a community historian, and the museum.

Guests at the Flag Day program.

Cliff Omtvedt enlisted in March 1941, joining the 200th Coastal Artillery. By September 1941 he was in the Phillipines. He was captured by Japanese forces on April 9, 1942 when U.S. and Filipino soldiers surrenderd. Omtvedt survived the Bataan Death March, 40 months as a POW, and transport in a Japanese Hell Ship.

Cliff Omtvedt sent a Christmas message to his family on December 25, 1941. The family received it December 29. It was the last official news from or about Cliff until September 1943.

While a prisoner of war, Omtvedt helped to make a United States flag from remnants of silk parachutes used by American planes to drop food supplies. The prisoners raised the flag at their camp on August 18, 1945 after the Japanese lowered the Japanese flag. It was the first American flag to fly on Japanese land after hostilities ended, even before the arrival of US forces. Clifford Omtvedt donated that US flag to the United States government. 

Cliff, center, and John Hryn, right, both of Eau Claire, with the flag shortly after World War II. The photo was printed in the Eau Claire Leader Telegram 1 July 1976.

The story of the flag and what became of it (which is still not entirely known) was part of the June 13th Flag Day program. During the program, guest speaker, retired police officer, and community historian Todd Johnson covered the experiences of POWs and sisters Diane and Dale shared their father's remembrances. 

It was a powerful evening. While Cliff's story can be found in the July 1, 1976 issue of the Eau Claire Leader-Telegram, his daughters brought their father's story to life.It was an honor to host this program.