Scrimshaw is a 19th-century American sailor-made art form created primarily (but not exclusively) from the teeth & bone of harvested whales during the heyday of the American whaling industry.  Learn about this industry that was so important to America’s success and study examples of the art form created by sailors during their seemingly-endless trips at sea.  Tom L. & Barb Conley are members of the New Bedford Whaling Museum and are annual presenters at the Scrimshaw Collectors’ Symposium.  For more information: contact  BarbConley1@sbcglobal.net or  847/669-5391. 

AFFORDABLE SPEAKERS NOW AVAILABLE FOR YOUR GROUP!

FRIENDS now has volunteer speakers who can provide an interesting topic for your group’s next gathering for as little as $50 + mileage!   Speaker’s fees are donated directly to FRIENDS to assist in the endeavors of the Wisconsin Historical Society.

The FRIENDS of WHS History Speakers Road Show 

TEA-LEAF, MOSS ROSE & WHITE IRONSTONE CHINA Examples of the china are displayed and examined, interspersed with interesting tidbits about life in the mid-1800s.  Presented by Riene Wells, charter member of the Tea Leaf Club International and owner of a 2000+ piece collection that has been displayed at the Wisconsin Antique Dealers “Special Attraction” booth.   Riene is a frequent speaker at various historical group gatherings.  For more information, contact info@eagle-house.com .

WHO’S YOUR DADDY’S DADDY’S DADDY’S DADDY’S DADDY?  Of particular interest  to genealogy groups, this program explores the relatively new use of identifying the ‘y’ chromosome to trace paternal lineage for genealogical purposes.  The use of DNA can break down those brick walls researchers have been up against for decades.  Presented by Debbie McArdle, founder and volunteer Group Administrator of 4 Family Tree yDNA surname projects, and 40 years of genealogical experience.  For more information, contact jjmcard@comcast.net  or 815/575-1272.

THE VICTORIANS & THE INFLUENCE OF THEIR DOGS Offered by canine professional Kathy Krause.

VICTORIAN PEWTER-TRIMMED GRANITEWARE Rare examples of this often misidentified ornate ware are displayed and examined.  The history of its American manufacturers, circa 1870-1900, are discussed, as well as the status of the ware in the American Victorian-period household.  For more information, contact jjmcard@comcast.net  or 815/575-1272.

THE HISTORY & VALUE OF YOUR FAMILY’S HEIRLOOMS  Participants bring a family heirloom for discussion and evaluation.  Presented by Debbie McArdle, owner of Iron Horse Antiques and Appraisals, founded in 1978, and member of the New England Appraisers Association.  For more information, contact jjmcard@comcast.net  or 815/575-1272.

FOR THE FUN OF IT!  THE NEW HAMPSHIRE TOY ROOM AT THE DAR MUSEUM Presented by Debbie McArdle, DAR Museum Correspondent Docent of Kishwaukee Trail Chapter  NSDAR, owner of Iron Horse Antiques and member of the New England Appraisers Association.  Participants are encouraged to bring a pre-1920 toy for discussion and evaluation.  For more information contact jjmcard@comcast.net  or 815/575-1272.

CHRISTMAS IN THE DAR PERIOD ROOMS, WASHINGTON D.C. Presented by Debbie McArdle, DAR Museum Correspondent Docent of Kishwaukee Trail Chapter  NSDAR, owner of Iron Horse Antiques and member of the New England Appraisers Association.  Participants are encouraged to bring an early Christmas item for discussion and evaluation.  For more information contact jjmcard@comcast.net  or 815/575-1272. 

MYTH OR TRUTH, STORIES WE’VE HEARD ABOUT EARLY AMERICA  An overview of some of the common myths heard in museums and various historic places.  Presented by Debbie McArdle, DAR Museum Correspondent Docent of Kishwaukee Trail Chapter  NSDAR, owner of Iron Horse Antiques and member of the New England Appraisers Association.  For more information contact jjmcard@comcast.net  or 815/575-1272.

Those of you who have any interest in presenting programs to benefit FRIENDS and the Wisconsin Historical Society, please contact Debbie at jjmcard@comcast.net

Join other Friends of the Wisconsin Historical Society on the Internets social networking website, Facebook. Just a click or two will get you the Friends of the Wisconsin Historical Society calendar of events, photos of Friends and other useful information. The page was created and is being maintained by Friends of WHS board member from Mineral Point, Lisa Hay.

So if you’re not on Facebook yet, sign up now. It’s easy and it’s free. While you are there, “friend” the Friends of WHS. Go to Facebook and search for “Friends of the Wisconsin Historical Society”.

Not even the threat of bad weather would keep the women of the FRIENDS of the Wisconsin Historical Society from gathering visitors around them and marching for Women’s Suffrage through downtown Sharon, Wisconsin at Model A Days this year. Bev Wassum and Sandee Beaman brave the weather to march for Women.

Sure there was opposition from some of the male trouble-makers, but the women would not give up their cause to get the vote for women at last! Frank Beaman is pictured giving Bev a hard time, but Bev returned a word or two!

Don’t you wonder what fun awaits us and next year’s Sharon Model A Days event? Who knows what the FRIENDS of the Wisconsin Historical Society are cooking up. Stay tuned to find out how to have fun with history.

PREVIEW NIGHT

Festivities made everyone a winner Treasures to behold, special silent auction treasures, door prizes galore, good food and great company! Karl Gates tipped off the crowd to secrets of appraising antiques and kept the audience in stitches. [Pictured: Audience listens in rapt attention to Speaker Gates]

AUCTION EVENT

Treasure Hunters

The Auction successfully produced funding for Wisconsin Historical Society projects and netted appreciative homes for treasured tales from the past. Auctioneer Boge’s expert touch and rapid-fire auction action kept the audience on their toes. Mr. Boge was assisted by FWH members and volunteers. [Pictured: Treasure hunters pictured assessing their bids before Auction begins]

THANK YOU’S

We wish to thank all who donated Antique and Vintage treasures for this benefit Auction to raise funds for the work of the Wisconsin Historical Society. Your stories have been passed along for more generations to enjoy.

All of us appreciate the support of Auctioneer Boge, Speaker Karl Gates, Marzion Realty, and WADA. Thanks also to those we advertised with for this event. We also thank the dedication of the Auction Committee, and the helping hand from Old World Wisconsin, The Old World Wisconsin Foundation, and the Wisconsin Historical Society.

Mostly we thank you for coming to support the work of the Wisconsin Historical Society in a way that is delightfully gratifying ~ and an enjoyable way to “touch history” on a personal basis. 

We wish to thank all who donated Antique and Vintage treasures for this benefit Auction to raise funds for the work of the Wisconsin Historical Society. Your stories have been passed along for more generations to enjoy.

All of us appreciate the support of Auctioneer Boge, Speaker Karl Gates, Marzion Realty, and WADA. Thanks also to those we advertised with for this event. We also thank the dedication of the Auction Committee, and the helping hand from Old World Wisconsin, The Old World Wisconsin Foundation, and the Wisconsin Historical Society.

Mostly we thank you for coming to support the work of the Wisconsin Historical Society in a way that is delightfully gratifying ~ and an enjoyable way to “touch history” on a personal basis.

Thoughts from FWHS President Chuck Hatfield

I will admit that I often don’t know where I’m going until I get there.  I am doubtful that it’s because of the creeping effects of aging, rather than the continued demands of my mind to learn.  Nevertheless, it is my challenge to recognize life’s lessons when I arrive at these unmapped destinations, and so it happened in the writing of this article.

I had planned my series of articles in Pillars to broaden our definition of history, stress the value of local and family stories, and learn from our youth.  I had only to write this last article that would somehow convince the younger generations to save our precious history for us.  Then, coincidentally, the Friends’ board was invited to a National History Day presentation and I met Laura Ball. [Continue reading Youth vs. History—and the winner is… …]