September 29, 2014 at 4:35 p.m.
Pioneer Park Historical Complex celebrates end of the season with chili
Pioneer Park Historical Complex celebrates end of the season with chili
By Kayla Thomason-
For a dollar donation, guests enjoyed a bowl full of filling chili.
"It's excellent, very, very good," said guest Maggie Vesely. Vesely described the chili as medium in heat, but noted that she is from the south so that may skew her perception a little.
Sandy Todd, kitchen manager at Sportsman's Cafe, started heating the chili over a fire at 10 a.m. An hour later it was hot.
She said a number of people came in to try the chili and tour the museum for a final time before it closes for the winter.
Todd hopes the chili fundraiser is held again.
"There's no reason why we wouldn't [do this again]," she said. "They've been so kind to let us borrow this pot to do different caterings and there's no reason we can't return the favor by helping them out to get donations."
The historical complex welcomed over 11,000 people during the summer of 2014.
Guests could wander into the Red Marquardt's Sawmill which includes various items. It also houses a working mini sawmill.
The one-room schoolhouse on the property is set up as it had been years ago when the children would walk in, take a seat facing the chalkboard and look at maps.
Another building holds pictures, uniforms and other items from the Civilian Conservation Corps, displayed like camp in the 1930s-'40s.
"[The government] put young men, 18 to 24, to work in logging, replanting trees, reforesting. They started some of the hatcheries in the Wisconsin area, they built lodges all over the country," said Aprelle Rawski, historical complex coordinator.
Featured at the museum is a train and the original train depot which was built in the 1890s.
Vesely was partial to the railroad because her father worked on them.
"[The museum] has a great variety, they've done a great job," she said. "It's well done, [it has] a lot of information."
Also on the property is an antique fire truck and fire wagon, antique boats and motors from Duke Montgomery.
"You look at the whole concept of [the museum], it's like a park within the park," Rawski said.
It has ramps for three of its buildings to make it more accessible to families and those in wheelchairs. The rest of the area is level for easy access.
Teachers are welcome to set up tours by calling the main number (715) 369-5004.
"We appreciate everybody coming in and it's been wonderful," Rawski said. "We appreciate the donations and people have to remember that every museum here is free and the donations help to upkeep the buildings."
Kayla Breese may be reached at [email protected].
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