Newsletter of the Stahl-Conrad Homestead
www.HistoricHalesCorners.org______
9724 W. Forest Home Ave., Hales Corners, WI 53130 July 2006
The Smithsonian is coming to the Homestead!
We’re proud to announce that the Homestead is one of six organi-zations selected by the Wisconsin Humanities Council (WHC) to host the Smithsonian Institution’s exhibition, Between Fences. The exhibition will be at the Homestead November 3—December 15, 2007.
Between Fences was designed by the Smithsonian Institution specifically for small and rural communities. The exhibition explores themes of land use, boundaries defining public and private space, and the boundaries of human relationships, using objects and images, including fences, tools, photographs, and publications.
According to Jessica Becker, program officer at the WHC and coordinator for the Between Fences tour, applications came from organizations in every corner of the state, all with populations under 10,000 people. A panel of WHC board members and humanities scholars selected the sites based on geographic distribu-tion, strength of proposed ideas for complementary programs, commitment from the community, and physical display space.
In Hales Corners, partners that will offer complementary programs include the Village of Hales Corners, the Hales Corners Historical Society, the Milwaukee Area Land Conservancy, and the Hales Corners Chamber of Commerce.
Between Fences is part of Museum on Main Street, a unique collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES), state humanities councils across the nation, and local host institutions. Support for Museum on Main Street is provided by the U.S. Congress.
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May 7—A day of celebration
The Homestead had a lot to celebrate on May 7—presentation of a brochure that tells the story of our property, remarks by Geoffrey Gyrisco about the German settlers who farmed the property and Delene Hanson about the native landscaping that is underway, and refreshments organized by Pat Warchol. We are indebted to Historic Preservation Commission chair Dave Zepecki, village president Jim Ryan, and village board members for their participa-tion in designating the Homestead as a local historic landmark. The brochure and event were funded by a grant from the WHC with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the State of Wisconsin, and the Jeffris Family Foundation.
Woman’s Club renews its support of the Homestead
The Hales Corners Woman’s Club has again allocated $300 to the Homestead for construction of bathroom facilities that meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. We are grateful for the Club’s continuing generosity, which brings the total of our funds earmarked for this purpose to $12,505.
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Farmers’ Markets have resumed
For those who like fresh produce, honey, coffee, handmade items from Curly Fleece Sheep Farm, and the creations of South African artists, the Homestead was the place to be on Saturday, June 17. The next market, July 1, will provide the fresh food you need for your July 4 celebration.
Special events are coming up as the season progresses. On July 15 and September 2, watch for John Munger and his Little German Band. The August 12 through October 14 markets will have one or both of our gourd art vendors. The Hawthorn Garden Club will stage its weed sale on September 16.
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Scout project adds benches to Homestead
Jacob Harycki of Boy Scout troop 574 has completed the Eagle Scout project for which he designed and created three benches for the grounds of the Homestead. He also painted the milk-house and spread wood chips around many Homestead trees. Thank you, Jacob, for your good work.
Gifts of goods and services
George Berger—garlic mustard removal from Homestead grounds
Kathleen and Ronald Dondlinger—cast iron stove, egg crate, shoe-maker’s kit, business promotional items, windup phonograph and records, men’s ice skates, old bottles and many other items
Dave O’Brien—photography for our May 7 event
Alice Palmersheim—two oak press back chairs
Mike Stockinger—more photography for our May 7 event
Tom Ueberroth—mowing at the Homestead
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What lies beneath the surface?
On June 14, we joined members of the Greenfield Historical Society at the Homestead for a demonstration by Tom Zeniecki of metal-detecting equipment. Greenfield society president Bob Roesler had invited Homestead members to attend, observe, and mark any spots where metal objects might be hiding. Only a few nails and bottle caps were found during the brief demonstration. A longer search over a larger area might be more productive.
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Genealogy events at the SHSW
The State Historical Society of Wisconsin has asked us to publicize the following events, all of which will occur in Madison.
September 23 and 30—Organizing and caring for family and personal photographs
October 20—The library will be open to genealogical researchers 6 p.m. to 12 midnight. Registration is required.
November 11—Using AncestryLibrary and HeritageQuest
November 18—Online family trees
December 2—How to tackle your German genealogical research
December 9—Court records (probate, divorce, adoption)
For more information, see the SHSW website at www.wisonsinhistory.org/libraryarchives/classes
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Civil War Dancing continues at the Homestead
It’s not too late to participate in dance instruction the fourth Thurs-day of the month. For information, call Patricia at 427-3776.
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The mission of the Stahl-Conrad Homestead is to create a museum focused on transitions in the land in Hales Corners and its environs from presettlement into the future and to preserve the Stahl-Conrad Homestead as a remnant of a bygone
lifestyle.
The Homestead’s vision: The land is restored and the buildings are renovated to accommodate changing exhibits and public events.
The Homestead is a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) organization. Your donations and in-kind gifts are tax deductible as allowed by law.
Officers and directors are president, Chris Lese; vice president, Delene Hanson; secretary, Sybil Grandeck; treasurer, Michael Jedrzejewski; directors: Bette Arey, Dara Chappie-Stockinger, Jay Galaska, Ruth Johnston, Nancy Kochis, and Pat Warchol.
New Members
(as of June 20)
Kathleen Dondlinger
LaFonda Kinnaman
Dan and Kayellyn Strasburg
Our membership now totals 123.
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Pruning improves health of Homestead trees
Under the watchful eye of instructor Mike Wendt, students from MATC’s arboriculture classes have given the Homestead’s trees some much-needed maintenance. The arrangement gives students pruning and tree climbing experience, while the Homestead receives free services. A winning situation for all!
Pruning the Homestead’s beautiful oak trees had to be put on hold after inclement weather forced cancellation of the first two scheduled sessions. Oaks should not be pruned after April 15 because of the threat of oak wilt. However, students were able to tackle other problems, including removal of dead wood from a very old apple tree that the Homestead hopes to save.
Many thanks to Sybil Grandeck for contacting Mike and introducing him to the Homestead and its trees.
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Fun events at Old World Wisconsin
Your choices include Pickles, Pre-serves, and Produce, Saturday, August 19—to learn about canning and preserving food. There’s also Rousing with the Roosters, which starts at 6:30 a.m. with a horse-drawn wagon ride to the Schottler Farm. For dates and fees, call 262-594-6309 or visit www.oldworldwisconsin.org
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Homestead has a new leader
Chris Lese has replaced Bette Arey as president of the Homestead board. Bette resigned the position in order to spend more time on grant writing, publications, and coordinating the Between Fences exhibit.