What's Happening at the Museum
Coming Events
Concerts at the Museum
Classical music concerts. Sept. 28 to feature the music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Performed by The Garland City Chamber Players, featuring Andrew McInnes, on violin & Neil Paynter, on The Beaser Piano; at the Museum, 216 Main Street West. October & November programs TBA. (Admission free, donations welcome).
Concert times, dates
3-4 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 28
3-4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 26
3-4 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 16
Mural Fest & Car Show, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Sept. 7, between the Court House & Museum, with coffee and cookies outside the Museum.
Ashland Historical Society’s Annual meeting: 6 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 9 (Open to the public; refreshments will be served).
Classical music concerts. Sept. 28 to feature the music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Performed by The Garland City Chamber Players, featuring Andrew McInnes, on violin & Neil Paynter, on The Beaser Piano; at the Museum, 216 Main Street West. October & November programs TBA. (Admission free, donations welcome).
Concert times, dates
3-4 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 28
3-4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 26
3-4 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 16
Mural Fest & Car Show, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Sept. 7, between the Court House & Museum, with coffee and cookies outside the Museum.
Ashland Historical Society’s Annual meeting: 6 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 9 (Open to the public; refreshments will be served).
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'New' Phones at the MuseumHere are the two "new" phones now set-up at the Ashland Historical Society Museum, 216 Main Street West. Bring the whole family down and give them a try! I-house calls between vintage phones are free.
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Pie & Ice Cream Social
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Ashland Historical Society Museum board members and volunteers Betty Preston, left, and Mary Gruper are poised and ready for the nearly 100 visitors who were in attendance for the Museum's Pie and Ice Cream Social on September 8.
Enriching Display
Patti Jellish stands next to the traveling exhibit on loan from the Ashland Historical Society Museum, and on display at The Enrichment Center, located at 400 Chapple Avenue in Ashland. The exhibit features beach glass from the shores of Chequamegon Bay, concretions, and wood creations from Prentice Avenue Beach. The display was created by Rita Kovach, a board member of the AHSM.
The 2018 Cemetery Walk: Mt. Hope Cemetery
The 2018 Cemetery Walk was held at Saron Lutheran Church in Ashland, WI with information on Mt. Hope Cemetery on July 4, 2018. Information on the family histories of ghosts also available at the museum.
May is "Wisconsin Historic Preservation Month" and Bob Klamerus, left, and Sam Solberg, Board members of the Ashland Historical Society Museum, proudly display the poster that trumpets this special event.
Spilling the beans: May is for history in Wisconsin
By Richard J. Pufall
Never was much good at keeping a secret. Working 40 years in the newspaper business will beat the secret-keeping right out of you. One of my first editors called news, “the beans.” He always said reporters should spill the beans, not swallow them.
That’s why the last two years as manager of the Ashland Historical Society Museum have been a bit strange for me. It’s like we’ve been swallowing the beans at 216 Main Street West and keeping a huge secret down here at the old history factory.
You see, that secret is the Museum itself. At times it seems people couldn’t find us with a GPS, a bloodhound and Sherlock Holmes leading the search party. Yes, our visitor attendance and the quality of our presentation is much better since we moved to our spiffy new digs across from the Court House in late summer of 2016. So no complaints from here.
But things could be better, especially this month. May is “Wisconsin Historic Preservation Month.” (Now there’s a bean that needs spilling).
Historical Society President Tory Stroshane will tell you that every month is “Historic Preservation Month” at our Museum. So help us spill the beans by visiting our Museum and taking advantage of what we have to offer. Here is some of what you’ll find:
We present a family-friendly, lifelong-learning experience when you walk through the door, admission free.
On computer we have nearly 90,000 biographies – long and short – of people who have lived in or around Ashland. Looking for old Uncle Ollie and Auntie Tina? Chances are we can find them.
And if you like pictures of old Ashland’s people and places we have more than 55,000 digital and hold-in-your-hand-print photos. Board member and volunteer Rita Kovach, our talented, meticulous archivist, has for years maintained, organized, numbered and filed the treasures donated to the Museum by our many friends and benefactors. The objects/memorabilia in Rita’s charge total more than 6,500 items, stored in our basement or currently on display in our first-floor showroom. And with a little volunteer help, Rita also wrangles more than 2,000 reference books and other printed material.
Fixtures in our exhibit room include the iconic Beaser Piano, originally in Buffalo, N.Y. and brought here in 1849 from Ontonagon, Mich., by Ashland pioneer Martin Beaser. This 73-key Chickering marvel is the first piano ever to come to the shores of Lake Superior. If you play well, stop in and entertain us.
…Then there’s our free-play juke box from the 1980s, featuring 1950s, ’60s and ’70s hits. But it’s historically inaccurate because like today, nothing was free in the ’80s.
…Our military display is a popular fixture, which is frequently changed by U.S. Army National Guard veteran and Museum volunteer Jason Janecek.
We try to change major exhibits as much as possible to keep a fresh face on the Museum. But some of those exhibits (Admiral William D. Leahy, the Edmund Fitzgerald, and the grand old profession of ore punching) were such a significant part of our history that we have maintained small segments of the original displays.
Two popular photo exhibits appear here to stay: The complete collection of “Throwback Thursday” photos, as seen in the Ashland Daily Press, and selected by Board member Jeff Cate; and the “Then & Now” photo pages, which feature Ashland from yesteryear and today.
And then there’s our second-best-kept secret: It’s the Museum Gift Shop, which is managed by Board member Barbara Suminski. The shop features a wide variety of gifts that can be found nowhere else in the area. Barbara has her hands full, also serving as the Museum treasurer and creative designer of our eye-popping window displays. This girl’s got game.
If you become a member of the Historical Society you will receive a 10% discount on all gift-shop items as well as our quarterly newsletter, The Garland City Gazette. And you’ll enjoy the warm feeling that comes from helping our non-profit museum stay open to serve you. Annual membership is just $15.
If you need a third-best-kept secret, go to our website (ashlandwihistory.com) and click your mouse until it coughs up cheese. And since you’re here now, get to clicking!
Of course, if you want to see much, much, more you’ll have to walk through our front door and spill your own beans.
Richard J. Pufall is the manager of the Ashland Historical Society Museum.
Never was much good at keeping a secret. Working 40 years in the newspaper business will beat the secret-keeping right out of you. One of my first editors called news, “the beans.” He always said reporters should spill the beans, not swallow them.
That’s why the last two years as manager of the Ashland Historical Society Museum have been a bit strange for me. It’s like we’ve been swallowing the beans at 216 Main Street West and keeping a huge secret down here at the old history factory.
You see, that secret is the Museum itself. At times it seems people couldn’t find us with a GPS, a bloodhound and Sherlock Holmes leading the search party. Yes, our visitor attendance and the quality of our presentation is much better since we moved to our spiffy new digs across from the Court House in late summer of 2016. So no complaints from here.
But things could be better, especially this month. May is “Wisconsin Historic Preservation Month.” (Now there’s a bean that needs spilling).
Historical Society President Tory Stroshane will tell you that every month is “Historic Preservation Month” at our Museum. So help us spill the beans by visiting our Museum and taking advantage of what we have to offer. Here is some of what you’ll find:
We present a family-friendly, lifelong-learning experience when you walk through the door, admission free.
On computer we have nearly 90,000 biographies – long and short – of people who have lived in or around Ashland. Looking for old Uncle Ollie and Auntie Tina? Chances are we can find them.
And if you like pictures of old Ashland’s people and places we have more than 55,000 digital and hold-in-your-hand-print photos. Board member and volunteer Rita Kovach, our talented, meticulous archivist, has for years maintained, organized, numbered and filed the treasures donated to the Museum by our many friends and benefactors. The objects/memorabilia in Rita’s charge total more than 6,500 items, stored in our basement or currently on display in our first-floor showroom. And with a little volunteer help, Rita also wrangles more than 2,000 reference books and other printed material.
Fixtures in our exhibit room include the iconic Beaser Piano, originally in Buffalo, N.Y. and brought here in 1849 from Ontonagon, Mich., by Ashland pioneer Martin Beaser. This 73-key Chickering marvel is the first piano ever to come to the shores of Lake Superior. If you play well, stop in and entertain us.
…Then there’s our free-play juke box from the 1980s, featuring 1950s, ’60s and ’70s hits. But it’s historically inaccurate because like today, nothing was free in the ’80s.
…Our military display is a popular fixture, which is frequently changed by U.S. Army National Guard veteran and Museum volunteer Jason Janecek.
We try to change major exhibits as much as possible to keep a fresh face on the Museum. But some of those exhibits (Admiral William D. Leahy, the Edmund Fitzgerald, and the grand old profession of ore punching) were such a significant part of our history that we have maintained small segments of the original displays.
Two popular photo exhibits appear here to stay: The complete collection of “Throwback Thursday” photos, as seen in the Ashland Daily Press, and selected by Board member Jeff Cate; and the “Then & Now” photo pages, which feature Ashland from yesteryear and today.
And then there’s our second-best-kept secret: It’s the Museum Gift Shop, which is managed by Board member Barbara Suminski. The shop features a wide variety of gifts that can be found nowhere else in the area. Barbara has her hands full, also serving as the Museum treasurer and creative designer of our eye-popping window displays. This girl’s got game.
If you become a member of the Historical Society you will receive a 10% discount on all gift-shop items as well as our quarterly newsletter, The Garland City Gazette. And you’ll enjoy the warm feeling that comes from helping our non-profit museum stay open to serve you. Annual membership is just $15.
If you need a third-best-kept secret, go to our website (ashlandwihistory.com) and click your mouse until it coughs up cheese. And since you’re here now, get to clicking!
Of course, if you want to see much, much, more you’ll have to walk through our front door and spill your own beans.
Richard J. Pufall is the manager of the Ashland Historical Society Museum.
'Chili Feed' leaves us all with a warm feeling
By Jeff Cate - AHSM Board Member
Late Thursday afternoon, Feb. 15, it was my pleasure to witness a great event at the Ashland Historicial Society Museum. Our museum held a "Chili Feed" fundraiser and we had a huge turnout of more than 70 people.
The generosity of local folks was evident in full force. Most people, while paying for the event said, “keep the change.” A few handed us generous donations. We survive on memberships and donations from the community and have been blessed with strong support in the last year.
We have a fantastic cadre of volunteers, a super working board, and a dedicated manager. The chili was all donated, with George Rydberg making a huge, delicious vat full. Karolyn Solberg also made and donated a large pot of chili as did AHSM Board President Tory Stroshane. So we had a variety of tasty chili from which to choose.
And when we ran low on chili, with about an hour left for the event, the Breakwater Restaurant came to our rescue and donated a batch of their excellent chili.
Trivent Financial and Kwik Trip also made generous donations to help make the event possible.
I am a Historical Society board member and spend my mornings going through our photo archives. I get to pick the historic photo for the popular "Throwback Thursday" feature that runs in The Daily Press. I'm always looking for pictures for the throwback feature and welcome contributions from the public.
The museum is planning to put together an exhibit of the old airport that was located on U.S. Highway 13, south of Northland College. If anyone has photos or other memorabilia from the old airport, please contact us at the museum: 715-682-4911.
Late Thursday afternoon, Feb. 15, it was my pleasure to witness a great event at the Ashland Historicial Society Museum. Our museum held a "Chili Feed" fundraiser and we had a huge turnout of more than 70 people.
The generosity of local folks was evident in full force. Most people, while paying for the event said, “keep the change.” A few handed us generous donations. We survive on memberships and donations from the community and have been blessed with strong support in the last year.
We have a fantastic cadre of volunteers, a super working board, and a dedicated manager. The chili was all donated, with George Rydberg making a huge, delicious vat full. Karolyn Solberg also made and donated a large pot of chili as did AHSM Board President Tory Stroshane. So we had a variety of tasty chili from which to choose.
And when we ran low on chili, with about an hour left for the event, the Breakwater Restaurant came to our rescue and donated a batch of their excellent chili.
Trivent Financial and Kwik Trip also made generous donations to help make the event possible.
I am a Historical Society board member and spend my mornings going through our photo archives. I get to pick the historic photo for the popular "Throwback Thursday" feature that runs in The Daily Press. I'm always looking for pictures for the throwback feature and welcome contributions from the public.
The museum is planning to put together an exhibit of the old airport that was located on U.S. Highway 13, south of Northland College. If anyone has photos or other memorabilia from the old airport, please contact us at the museum: 715-682-4911.
Social crowd gathers for cake, ice cream and fun
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The Ashland Historical Society Museum was host to a cake and ice cream social from 1-3 p.m. on Wednesday, July 12 at 216 Main Street West.
About 50 guests enjoyed the sweets and the good conversations that come with sharing time with family and friends. And the crowd was also entertained by Karolyn Solberg, who played several selections on the Museum's historic Beaser Piano. |
John Kovach, left, talks to the crowd gathered at St. Agnes Cemetery on the 4th of July for the annual Cemetery Walk.
John spoke fondly of the life and times of his grandfather, Michael Kovach,
Cemetery Walk, 2017, draws a crowd
The annual Cemetery Walk was featured this year from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at St. Agnes Cemetery on the 4th of July.
Six individuals shared their personal relationships and stories about ancestors buried at the cemetery. Each ghost story shared how these individuals made their way in our City of Ashland.
This Year's Ghost Stories:
The annual Cemetery Walk was featured this year from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at St. Agnes Cemetery on the 4th of July.
Six individuals shared their personal relationships and stories about ancestors buried at the cemetery. Each ghost story shared how these individuals made their way in our City of Ashland.
This Year's Ghost Stories:
- Rudy Hagene, by his nephew Bob Klamerus.
- Stanley Maliszewski, by grandson-in-law Ray Koch and granddaughter Sue Sandstrom Koch.
- Mildred Fitzgerald Garvin-Wilson, by granddaughter Pat Erickson Lindholm.
- Mike Kovach, by his grandson John Kovach.
- John Pufall, by his grandson Richard J. Pufall.
- Franciscan Priests and Brothers, by Father Paul Pare, OFM.
Huge Pizza Party crowd honors memories of Mickey & Chuck Iverson
A Pizza Party held on Saturday, Feb. 11 to honor the memories of Mickey and Chuck Iverson, who owned and operated Frankie's Pizza in Ashland for 50 years, turned out to be the most successful one-day fundraiser in museum history.
There were 95 tickets sold in advance of the party and another 68 at the door on Saturday. The party featured delicious Frankie's pizza, soft drinks, and music from the 1960s and 70s, played on an old-time juke box.
And there was a drawing for door prizes, a Frankie's Pizza trivia contest, and voting to determine the favorite waitress/waiter in the restaurant's 54 years in business. Joyce "Peppy" Barry Kabasa was the winner. Also, party guests had the opportunity to enter their fondest recollections of Frankie's into a Memory Book.
There were 95 tickets sold in advance of the party and another 68 at the door on Saturday. The party featured delicious Frankie's pizza, soft drinks, and music from the 1960s and 70s, played on an old-time juke box.
And there was a drawing for door prizes, a Frankie's Pizza trivia contest, and voting to determine the favorite waitress/waiter in the restaurant's 54 years in business. Joyce "Peppy" Barry Kabasa was the winner. Also, party guests had the opportunity to enter their fondest recollections of Frankie's into a Memory Book.
Museum awarded mini-grant to help protect collection
By Amy Tromberg
Board Vice President
The Ashland Historical Society Museum applied for a Wisconsin Historical Society (WHS) and Wisconsin Council for Local History Affiliate Mini-Grant for Collections Care and Management this spring. We are pleased to announce that we were awarded our mini-grant.
The Mini-Grant Program supports projects and activities that strengthen a local organization’s ability to manage and preserve historical collections. We worked with Janet Seymour, WHS Northern Region Field Services Representative, who was able to review a draft mini-grant application and answer questions.
Grant funds received need to be matched on a dollar-per-dollar cash basis, and we are able to use donations from the calendar year 2016 Fund Drive as match. The goal of our mini-grant project application was to help protect our museum collection by purchasing dehumidifiers for improved climate control and archival supplies such as acid-free boxes (above left) and archival sleeves to house archival and photographic materials.
Ashland Historical Society Museum Board Member Amy Tromberg is also a former curator of the Museum.
Board Vice President
The Ashland Historical Society Museum applied for a Wisconsin Historical Society (WHS) and Wisconsin Council for Local History Affiliate Mini-Grant for Collections Care and Management this spring. We are pleased to announce that we were awarded our mini-grant.
The Mini-Grant Program supports projects and activities that strengthen a local organization’s ability to manage and preserve historical collections. We worked with Janet Seymour, WHS Northern Region Field Services Representative, who was able to review a draft mini-grant application and answer questions.
Grant funds received need to be matched on a dollar-per-dollar cash basis, and we are able to use donations from the calendar year 2016 Fund Drive as match. The goal of our mini-grant project application was to help protect our museum collection by purchasing dehumidifiers for improved climate control and archival supplies such as acid-free boxes (above left) and archival sleeves to house archival and photographic materials.
Ashland Historical Society Museum Board Member Amy Tromberg is also a former curator of the Museum.
29 good men lost with The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald
Senior wheelsman Johnny Simmons, 62, of Ashland and all 28 of his shipmates were lost on Nov. 10, 1975 when the SS Edmund Fitzgerald, loaded with 26,116 tons of taconite pellets, sank in Lake Superior in 530 feet of water.
Loaded in Superior on Nov. 9 and bound for Detroit, the Fitzgerald was just 17 miles from safe harbor in Whitefish Bay when she vanished in a horrific storm near the Sault Ste. Marie cities of Michigan and Ontario.
Four other men from the Chequamegon Bay area perished with Simmons, who at 62, had come out of retirement to make one last voyage as a favor to his long-time friend, Ernest M. McSorley, captain of the Fitzgerald.
Joseph W. Mazes, 59, of Ashland, a 1934 graduate of DePadua High School, was a special maintenance man on the Fitzgerald.
Allen G. Kalmon, of Washburn, the ship’s second cook, was just 43 years old and the father of two daughters and a son.
Blaine H. Wilhelm, 52, of Moquah, was a 1942 graduate of Ashland High School. He worked as an oiler on the Fitzgerald.
Michael E. Armagost, just 37, was third mate from Iron River.
For more on Simmons and the Edmund Fitzgerald see Museum Manager Richard J. Pufall's story in The Ashland Daily Press: http://www.apg-wi.com/ashland_daily_press/news/simmons-shipmates-legends-live-on/article_45b7f0a0-3f2c-11e6-a65e-9f980b186031.html
Loaded in Superior on Nov. 9 and bound for Detroit, the Fitzgerald was just 17 miles from safe harbor in Whitefish Bay when she vanished in a horrific storm near the Sault Ste. Marie cities of Michigan and Ontario.
Four other men from the Chequamegon Bay area perished with Simmons, who at 62, had come out of retirement to make one last voyage as a favor to his long-time friend, Ernest M. McSorley, captain of the Fitzgerald.
Joseph W. Mazes, 59, of Ashland, a 1934 graduate of DePadua High School, was a special maintenance man on the Fitzgerald.
Allen G. Kalmon, of Washburn, the ship’s second cook, was just 43 years old and the father of two daughters and a son.
Blaine H. Wilhelm, 52, of Moquah, was a 1942 graduate of Ashland High School. He worked as an oiler on the Fitzgerald.
Michael E. Armagost, just 37, was third mate from Iron River.
For more on Simmons and the Edmund Fitzgerald see Museum Manager Richard J. Pufall's story in The Ashland Daily Press: http://www.apg-wi.com/ashland_daily_press/news/simmons-shipmates-legends-live-on/article_45b7f0a0-3f2c-11e6-a65e-9f980b186031.html
John F. Kennedy campaigned for President here in 1960
John F. Kennedy, while campaigning for the Presidency of the United States in March of 1960, visits Ashland and delivers a speech in front of the Ashland County Court House on March 18, above.
Seated directly behind Kennedy is Ashland Mayor Harry Simon. At left, Kennedy’s wife, Jacqueline, chats with Ashland attorney Thomas Anich. To the far left is Mayor Ivan Nestingen of Madison. Nestingen was also the president of the Wisconsin Kennedy for President Clubs.
This image is a featured photo in the Ashland Historical Society Museum’s 2017 calendar. The calendar is on sale at the front desk of the museum. Read the complete story on JFK's visit to Ashland in 1960 on the website of The Ashland Daily Press: http://www.apg-wi.com/ashland_daily_press/news/kennedy-campaigned-in-ashland/article_fc655ae0-2929-11e6-9236-27794f13cbe8.html
Seated directly behind Kennedy is Ashland Mayor Harry Simon. At left, Kennedy’s wife, Jacqueline, chats with Ashland attorney Thomas Anich. To the far left is Mayor Ivan Nestingen of Madison. Nestingen was also the president of the Wisconsin Kennedy for President Clubs.
This image is a featured photo in the Ashland Historical Society Museum’s 2017 calendar. The calendar is on sale at the front desk of the museum. Read the complete story on JFK's visit to Ashland in 1960 on the website of The Ashland Daily Press: http://www.apg-wi.com/ashland_daily_press/news/kennedy-campaigned-in-ashland/article_fc655ae0-2929-11e6-9236-27794f13cbe8.html
Famous face in the crowd: Eleanor Roosevelt visits in 1956
She won’t be the new face on the $10 bill. But nearly 60 years ago, she was the most famous face in town and the honored guest of the City of Ashland.
She was Eleanor Roosevelt, wife of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and she had spent 12 years in the White House as the longest-serving First Lady in United States history. And on the morning of Thursday, Oct. 4, 1956 she stood out in the crowd of hundreds gathered at the Dodd Gym at old Ashland High School. Mrs. Roosevelt was here for the North Wisconsin Lake Superior Education Association’s convention.
She was Eleanor Roosevelt, wife of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and she had spent 12 years in the White House as the longest-serving First Lady in United States history. And on the morning of Thursday, Oct. 4, 1956 she stood out in the crowd of hundreds gathered at the Dodd Gym at old Ashland High School. Mrs. Roosevelt was here for the North Wisconsin Lake Superior Education Association’s convention.
Ashland's favorite son: Fleet Admiral William D. Leahy
William D. Leahy was an 1892 graduate of Ashland’s old Central High School long before going on to become Fleet Admiral Leahy, and the top advisor to Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman during World War II.
Leahy’s lofty position drew national attention and he was honored as the cover story of “Life” magazine on Sept. 28, 1942.
See the Leahy legend come to life in the newest exhibit at the Ashland Historical Society Museum, located at 509 Main Street West. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturdays.
Leahy’s lofty position drew national attention and he was honored as the cover story of “Life” magazine on Sept. 28, 1942.
See the Leahy legend come to life in the newest exhibit at the Ashland Historical Society Museum, located at 509 Main Street West. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturdays.
Reuben Pingel was an enduring tribute to a bygone era: Ore punching
Reuben Pingel was the oldest and last surviving full-time ore puncher in Ashland's history.
He passed away on August 22. He was 102 years old.
What’s an ore puncher?
Well, these were burly, hard-working musclemen with families to feed.They worked Ashland’s five ore docks from the late 19th century until 1965. They worked 8- to 12-hour days, sometimes seven days a week, wielding eight-foot-long steel bars that weighed more than 30 pounds.
To do their work, the ore punchers perched precariously on eight-inch wooden planks atop the ore cars. Each car had a trap-door at the bottom that, when opened, would allow the iron ore to fall down into the huge pockets on the sides of the ore dock.
More often than not, the ore refused to cooperate. So the ore punchers used those heavy bars to literally punch the stubborn ore that would sometimes clog the opening at the bottom of each car.
For more on Reuben Pingel and the story of ore punching, visit The Ashland Historical Society Museum at 509 Main St. West and go to Richard J. Pufall's article on the website of The Ashland Daily Press: http://www.apg-wi.com/ashland_daily_press/news/pingel-is-a-living-tribute-to-a-bygone-era/article_b5c45118-ed6f-11e5-ad0c-a70ec2070e85.html
He passed away on August 22. He was 102 years old.
What’s an ore puncher?
Well, these were burly, hard-working musclemen with families to feed.They worked Ashland’s five ore docks from the late 19th century until 1965. They worked 8- to 12-hour days, sometimes seven days a week, wielding eight-foot-long steel bars that weighed more than 30 pounds.
To do their work, the ore punchers perched precariously on eight-inch wooden planks atop the ore cars. Each car had a trap-door at the bottom that, when opened, would allow the iron ore to fall down into the huge pockets on the sides of the ore dock.
More often than not, the ore refused to cooperate. So the ore punchers used those heavy bars to literally punch the stubborn ore that would sometimes clog the opening at the bottom of each car.
For more on Reuben Pingel and the story of ore punching, visit The Ashland Historical Society Museum at 509 Main St. West and go to Richard J. Pufall's article on the website of The Ashland Daily Press: http://www.apg-wi.com/ashland_daily_press/news/pingel-is-a-living-tribute-to-a-bygone-era/article_b5c45118-ed6f-11e5-ad0c-a70ec2070e85.html
The Ashland County Courthouse Turns 100
Ashland County, established in March of 1860, was formed from a portion of La Pointe County. It covered the entire area from Chequamegon Bay and the Apostle Islands to the now city of Hurley and south to the now town of Butternut. The city of Ashland became the county seat in June of 1860. By 1893, the eastern portion of Ashland County had become Iron County.
The Ashland County Board of Supervisors voted to purchase lots to be used for a courthouse in Block 72 of the Vaughn Division for $3,500.00, located between Front Street and Second Street on what is now Chapple Avenue. The architect was SV Shipman and contractor BF Bicksler was awarded the contract and the cornerstone was laid on October 3, 1877. The building was touted as the finest courthouse in Northern Wisconsin and served as the Ashland County Courthouse until 1915.
The present day courthouse, located at 201 West Main Street, was designed by well-known Ashland architect Henry Wildhagen and built by contractor Herman W Buemming. It opened its doors on December 27, 1915. It is an example of Classical Revival and Beaux-Arts architecture. In 1982, the building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. At one time, the Ashland Police Department was housed in the courthouse, but today it is reserved for county offices and court.
Photos below: Ashland County Courthouse celebrating 100 years, summer 2015 photo from Ashland Daily Press.
Ashland Historical Society Museum, photograph collection # 2-12-004 Ashland County Courthouse.jpg
The Ashland County Board of Supervisors voted to purchase lots to be used for a courthouse in Block 72 of the Vaughn Division for $3,500.00, located between Front Street and Second Street on what is now Chapple Avenue. The architect was SV Shipman and contractor BF Bicksler was awarded the contract and the cornerstone was laid on October 3, 1877. The building was touted as the finest courthouse in Northern Wisconsin and served as the Ashland County Courthouse until 1915.
The present day courthouse, located at 201 West Main Street, was designed by well-known Ashland architect Henry Wildhagen and built by contractor Herman W Buemming. It opened its doors on December 27, 1915. It is an example of Classical Revival and Beaux-Arts architecture. In 1982, the building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. At one time, the Ashland Police Department was housed in the courthouse, but today it is reserved for county offices and court.
Photos below: Ashland County Courthouse celebrating 100 years, summer 2015 photo from Ashland Daily Press.
Ashland Historical Society Museum, photograph collection # 2-12-004 Ashland County Courthouse.jpg
Volunteer Rose Knapp
On April 9, 2015, our volunteer, Rose Knapp, came to the museum in period dress to celebrate the end of the Civil War 150 years ago.
National Register of Historic Places - New - Ashland, Wisconsin designation!
The Chapple and MacArthur Avenues Residential Historic District was listed on the Wisconsin State Register of Historic Places during the winter of 2014, and on the National Register of Historic Places in May, 2014.
On the National Park Service notice it says: WISCONSIN - Ashland County. Chapple and MacArthur Avenues Residential Historic District, 507-1023 Chapple, 600-810, 814 & 822 MacArthur Aves., 618-622, 700-722, 9th Ave., W., 706-721 6th St., W., Ashland, 14000266.
Questions about the State Register and National Register programs in Wisconsin should be addressed to the Division of Historic Preservation-Public History, Wisconsin Historical Society, 608-264-6501.
Do you know what this is?
This was found within a box labeled military items. If you know what it is or what it would have historically been used for please email or call the Museum! And the answer is ... Jeff Bowman, of Sugar Land Tex., identified this object as a German rifle grenade from World War I. Jeff is a native of Eau Claire. |
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Soo Line ore dock demolition, Ashland, WI - picture on top right taken 9-11-2013
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