News: Clark Co. - Historical Society Museum (Open - 1980)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Bruhn, Feuerstein, Glass, Georgas, Hoesly, Crothers, Morganthaler, York, Eastman, Zickert, Mott, York, Prior, Sherren, Stucki, Chase, Ebert, Snyder, Rakow, Holm, York, Halle Anderegg, Schafer, Botnen, Forman, Holt, Tuft, Scherf, Parkinson, Ebert, Listeman

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 9/11/1980

Clark Co. Historical Society Museum (Open - 1980)

The Clark County Historical Society museum in Neillsville; known as “The Castle”, was invaded by an enthusiastic crowd of more than 700 during the Labor Day grand opening weekend. So many people were eager to see the jail museum that the tour guides had to reorganize and draft more help.

At the beginning of the tour of the 1897 jail, which is in back of the Sheriff’s home, the guide explained that a dog sled presented by Slim Bruhn and Martin Feuerstein, was over 100 years old and had belonged to a Major Glass. “Oh yes, I remember him!” exclaimed Edna Georgas, “I danced with him many times!” This was the kind of recall that enlivened the hours and gave meaning to the memorabilia on display, Society members said.

On Sunday, Jacob Hoesly was drafted to help in the cell block on the second floor. Marcia Crothers replaced him on Monday. As one group viewed the exercise area, another would enter cells for “females and young prisoners.” Many visitors joked about being locked in a cell, but they we really in a “holding action” during their tour as the crowds continued to come, Society members reported.

Members of the Society and others who toured “The Castle” were impressed with the work done by Hans Morganthaler, Ruth York, DeWitt Eastman and Cindy Zickert in preparing the facilities for the grand opening. Even though much work had been done in the past, approval by the state and the board of directors was not given until Thursday, August 21.

Some of those who were tour guides dressed in “Fashions of Yesteryears.” Alice Mott wore a black gown of the 1890’s, adorned with handwork, and bonnet, and carried a beaded purse. Lisa York, a junior member of the Society modeled a tan dress, about one-hundred years old, loaned by Dorothy Prior. Cindy Zickert wore a bicentennial “Betsy Ross” costume. Marcia Crothers was dressed in a replica of a 1960 gown. Viola Sherren wore her mother’s 1910 white lace wedding gown. Ella Stucki wore a costume which represented “The American peasant.” Della Chase wore her own wedding gown.

Ruth Ebert, president of the Society arranged a photo display, “Scenes From Old Neillsville” collected and donated by the Snyder family. A ”fainting” couch and a bamboo easel both on loan from Ella Stucki, were among the articles of special interest in the parlor.

In the room containing materials relating to the Society’s theme for the year, “Churches In Clark County,” a model of the Green Grove Church was donated by the Rakow family of Curtiss. Items from an old Danish church were loaned by the holms of Withee. Edison graphophone, loaned by the York’s, played religious songs on round disks. Elsie Halle donated her father’s ministerial coat.

Violet Anderegg, a director, worked all three-days spending most of her time in the upstairs rooms of the Sheriff’s home. She was assisted by Mrs. Vernice Schafer, Marcia Crothers and Della Botnen. In the hall on the second floor was a cradle made in 1860 by Cyrus Forman, the great-grandfather of the late Albert Holt. (Mrs. Albert Holt donated the cradle on behalf of her family.) Jennie Tuft loaned dolls, gathered from around the world. Natalie Scherf and her sister, Mrs. Parkinson, loaned their dolls for the opening. Another case in the southwest room featured accessories of a by-gone day such as hats, gloves, and purses, loaned by Ruth Ebert.

Visitors also saw the Listeman bedroom, completed last year, and were impressed with the exceptional marble dresser tops.

Countless other items are on display, and many have been offered. A dozen or more articles were loaned or donated and brought in during the opening.

If you missed the museum’s open house or would like to visit at your leisure, the tentative schedule for visiting hours is from 9:30 to 3:00 Tuesday through Friday. If there are enough volunteers, the museum will be open from 2:00 until 4:00 on Saturday and Sunday also.

Groups who wish to tour are urged to write to make arrangements. (Address the Clark County Historical Society, Inc. 215 East Fifth St., Neillsville, Wis. 54456) Groups of school children are welcome, but plans should be completed well in advance.