History Sunday moves to VIP

Have you ever wondered what happened to our downtown? Or wondered what it will be in the future? If so, you may find our November History Sunday very interesting. This Sunday at 2 p.m., you are invited to listen to a panel discussion between past and present mayors as they talk about their struggles and successes with downtown revitalization. Because we are inviting the public to a community discussion as our November History Sunday, we are moving this event to VIP Restaurant at 1201 Tower Ave. instead of having it at our headquarters at 1101 John Ave. Our building is not yet accessible and we want everyone in the community who is interested to attend this panel discussion. The History Sunday program is free.

All of this year’s History Sundays follow the theme of downtown, in connection with our latest exhibit called “Open ‘til 9: Thursday Nights on Tower” in reference to when stores in Superior’s downtown stayed open late for shoppers. Along with Superior mayors, former mayors of Ashland, Ed Monroe, and Duluth, John Fedo, will give the perspective of their experiences in our neighboring cities. The public is invited to join this community discussion, which will be moderated by DCHS board member Drew Mannetter. Preceding the History Sunday Ellsworth Brown, the Ruth and Hartley Barker director of the Wisconsin Historical Society, will be presenting the Wisconsin Historical Society’s annual Public Program award for last year’s exhibit, Central High: What in the James J. Hill was Going On Here? The exhibit, as is the current exhibit, was partially funded by the Wisconsin Humanities Council.

Since moving to John Avenue, DCHS members have looked at many possibilities at becoming handicap accessible but didn’t know where to turn to find the money to make that happen. This summer, we submitted a proposal to the city for a Community Development Block Grant, which will go before the city council in December. If approved, we will know how much more will be needed to complete the project and begin a campaign for in-kind donations. Hopefully next year DCHS will be much closer to becoming accessible for everyone to enjoy our history programs.

Northwest Wisconsin has a new representative of local history. With my tenure up, Duane Lahti from Oulu will now sit on the Wisconsin Council for Local History and serve as the voice of northern Wisconsin’s history as well as keep abreast of opportunities statewide. Duane has worked to preserve his grandparents’ homestead in Oulu, placing it on the Register of Historic Preservation and is now working on another similar project.

The Old Brule Heritage Society (OBHS) has also been very busy preserving history. On Sept. 28 members of OBHS moved the old Taylor’s bridge that, for almost 70 years spanned the Middle River on Bayfield Road just southeast of Poplar to its new location at the Davidson Windmill site on Highway 13. Built in 1930, the 40-foot bridge is made mostly of wood and suspended and bound by iron and is the last remaining queen-post truss bridge in the state. A car accident on the bridge in 1982 initiated discussion on two issues: safety and its historical value. When it was decided to replace it, the State Historical Society of Wisconsin was concerned about the Town of Amnicon’s plans for the bridge and efforts were made to preserve it. In 1996 the bridge was determined eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. Part of the terms of the Federal funding that helped build a replacement bridge in 1998 was that suitable recognition was to be given to the historic bridge and that it remain available for public viewing. A few years back, DCHS partnered with OBHS and the town of Amnicon and with a grant from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, placed an informational sign at the site. The bridge itself has been safely tucked away at the neighboring farm of David Williams until a plan of action could be made.

Help to move the large bridge came from a variety of sources including Pete Waletzko, Dean Amys, Ron Hendrickson, the Williams family, Mike Woodhull, Iron River Sand and Gravel and Reuben Johnson & Sons. The organization, however, has to pay for an easement to place the structure at the Windmill site and could use help to pay for this expense. Potential donors can send a designated check to Old Brule Heritage Society, P.O. Box 24, Maple, WI 54854.

November’s Adopt-A-Day program donation is by Chuck Swanson as memorial for Lisette K. Swanson of Iron River and Boscobel, Wis. For $100.00 you can “adopt a day” in your name, as tribute to or memorial for a loved one, or in honor of an event. This will help DCHS continue its mission and ensure that we are here to serve citizens of Douglas County.

Tickets are on sale for our fourth annual USO Canteen Radio Show, featuring our own Bob Hope and friends swinging to the music of Randy Lee and the Northland Youth Music Group (NYMG). Tickets to this sell-out show will be sold in advance for $10 up until Dec. 2 at 2 p.m. After that, they will be $12 at the door. Part of the proceeds goes towards the NYMG and to our History Theatre and programs.

The Douglas County Historical Society is located at 1101 John Ave. To contact us, please email us at dchs@douglashistory.org or call us at 715-392-8449.

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