MUSEUM HAPPENINGS

September 6, 2024

In August 1964 -- 60 years ago -- a handful of history enthusiasts met at the Paul Bunyan Camp to elect officers for the newly organized Chippewa Valley Historical Museum. Their intent was to build a permanent facility dedicated to regional history.

Organizational picnic, August 1964

Exhibit hall, 1974

The Chippewa Valley Museum officially opened in Carson Park in June 1974. This facility has just about tripled in size over the last 50 years. Many exhibits have come and gone, and it's time to say goodbye to another. .

The children's exhibit History Quest will be closing by October 1. It opened in 2010 and features the stories of real kids. If you want another peek at this one, stop in for a vist. Coming in its place is History Heroes, an activity-rich exhibit designed for kids but sure to be a hit with adults.

Thank you to all those who have supported Chippewa Valley Museum and the Wisconsin Logging Museum over the last 60 years. These museums are part of your legacy.

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September Programs

Book Talk: Historic Hayward and Sawyer County Sketches

Tuesday, September 10, 6:30pm

On Tuesday, September 10th at 6:30 pm, author Patricia Lacey will cover all kinds of summer adventures when she discusses her recent book, Historic Hayward and Sawyer County Sketches.

Admission for attendance at this program is waived as part of “Free Second Tuesdays,” made possible with Eau Claire County/City support.

Mocktails at the Schlegelmilch House

Friday, September 13, 6:00-7:30pm

Join former restaurant owner Andrew Mercil as he guides you through crafting mocktails (non-alcoholic cocktails). Each participant will make three mocktails and take home awesome tips for their next drink experiments. Enjoy music by Garden Party too!

Secure your spot now - only a handful of seats remain.

Cost: $25, $5 Member discount (remember to log-in)

Tickets

October Program

Beginner Wool Spinning

Saturday, October 26, 12 - 3pm

Here's your chance to learn how to make your own yarn. Instructor Janie Miniger will lead a class 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.Registration opens September 10.

Halloween-Themed Programs

Mystery at Schlegelmilch

Tactical Escape 101 Escape Room, September 28 - October 27

Where are You? “Doo you have a CLUE?” There are strange things happening at the Schlegelmilch House and rumors of a haunting are flying! JINKIES! We know that's not true, and we need you darn kids to solve the Mystery at Schlegelmilch! This escape room fundraiser is family-friendly and benefits Chippewa Valley Museums.

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, September 28 - Oct. 27.

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

Make Reservation

Carson Park Skelebrations

Saturday, October 19, 3:00 - 9:00 pm

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

Chippewa Valley Museums is teaming up with the Chippewa Valley Theatre Guild to deliver Halloween-worthy chills and thrills in the Carson Park. There's a Boo Bash for kids and families and a darker Chills After Dark for the older crowd.

Boo Bash (3-6pm, 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

• For purchase: glow necklaces and braclets, Halloween-themed "ice-screams" in the Ice Cream Parlor

Boo Bash Cost: $5/12 & under, $10/adult. $5 member discount per family. Must log-in for discount.

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Chills After Dark (7-9pm, 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
• For purchase: same as Boo Bash plus mocktails and beer

Chills After Dark Cost: $20 with $5 member discount. Must log-in for discount.

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.

Reserve Tickets

Carson Park 5 & 10

Saturday, October 26

Join the Indianhead Track Club in celebrating the 56th annual running of Western Wisconsin’s oldest running event. The Carson Park 5 & 10 includes:

5K run/walk
10-mile run
Kid’s 1/4 mile BOO-gie run/walk
Halloween costume contest with prizes
FREE TRAIN RIDES (11am-4pm) for all participants with a Carson race bib and all kids in costume
Free admission to museum exhibits
Plenty of post-run snacks, beverages, and prizes

Proceeds from the race benefit Chippewa Valley Museums and Indianhead Track Club. Sign up today because price increases after October 13.

Enjoy the upcoming fall weather, fall sports, and all the candy corn your little heart desires.

Peace,

Carrie Ronnander, Executive Director, Chippewa Valley Museums

P.S. As mentioned above, real historical children are the main characters in the current History Quest exhibit. All these children have some connection to the Chippewa Valley. Below are two of the children featured in the exhibit. The others will be in the next newsletter.

Laura Ingalls Wilder was born in 1867 near Pepin. At age one she moved with her father, mother, and older sister to the Oklahoma-Kansas border. Two years later, the family moved back to Wisconsin, settling in a small log house within a day’s travel of grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. The family left Wisconsin for the final time in 1874, first moving to Minnesota then out to South Dakota. Laura Ingalls Wilder’s first book, Little House in the Big Woods paints a picture of her life in Western Wisconsin.

Laura Ingalls Wilder, about 1885, public domain photo.

Anton Venski (1890-1978) was the fourth of nine children born to Polish immigrants. His parents moved to the north side of Eau Claire in the early 1880s. Anton wrote a memoir about what it was like to be a kid in a largely immigrant, working class section of the city. It's a spectacular memoir and one the museum hopes to publish some day.

Close-up of Anton Venski, about 1898. The original photo is a Sacred Heart School class photo.

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