October 7, 2016 at 2:40 p.m.
Rhinelander Historical Society has big goal for 25th anniversary
Rhinelander Historical Society has big goal for 25th anniversary
By Kayla Thomason-
The Rhinelander Historical Society was incorporated as a non-profit organization in December 1991. The group purchased and refurbished a house at 9 South Pelham St. to serve as the museum.
By Christmas of 1992 the interior refurbishing was not completed but enough was done that the group held its first open house.
"We figure we've got that span between December of '91 and December of '92 for the creation of the foundation and the first viewing by the community, so that's what we look at as our 25th anniversary," said Bill Vancos, vice president of the Rhinelander Historical Society.
The group has preserved special treasures from the past in the house-sized time capsule, giving people a glimpse of a common home in the 1900s.
"When the historical society was formed it really had a dual mission, one was to bring this house back to what a house would have looked like around 1900, so that when people came in they could visualize what a house looked like, and the other one was to be a depository for Rhinelander-related items," Vancos said.
When the early residents started passing away their relatives didn't know what to do with some of the items. Some people threw things away but others made donations to the museum.
"It's worked phenomenally, I mean the house is full of cool things that in many cases this is the only place you'll be able to see those things," Vancos said. "Where else are you going to see silverware from Gene Shepard's boat?"
Shepard, of course, invented the city's Hodag mascot when he convinced the townsfolk he had discovered a monster hiding in the woods.
The house was constructed in 1894 and, like any old structure, it needs a few touch-ups.
The group has been diligently fixing things as they have come up, but board members want to use the milestone anniversary to raise money to get the museum back to the condition it was 25 years ago.
The group will kick off the anniversary celebration, and fundraisers, with a museum open house from noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 29, the same day as the downtown trick-or-treating.
Visitors can tour the museum, sip delicious apple cider and children can get Halloween treats.
Concerts used to be held at the museum, and Vancos is hoping they will resume.
"We used to have some concerts here years ago, we're looking at doing that again, things like that, open houses so the community can come and initially see what work needs to be done and hopefully come back and see the finished product," he said.
Vancos is also thinking about a possible Christmas open house where the museum would be decorated as it would have been in the 1900s.
The group is open to ideas from the community as to the types of fundraisers that can be held.
"If somebody has good ideas we're open to suggestions," Vancos said.
The funds that are raised during the year will go toward remodeling and maintenance projects at the museum.
The first item on the list is to repair a few cracks on the ceiling and wall.
Next, the group would like to freshen up the exterior by scraping the old paint off and applying a fresh coat of yellow, blue and white paint.
The third item on the list is tackling the landscaping. Currently the plants at the front of the museum have crowded the railing and Vancos would like to have a foot or two of space between the foliage and structure to reduce moisture by the foundation. He would also like to tackle the invasive species and buckthorn that have taken over the backyard.
The fourth item on the list is roof work, as it has been about 25 years since the roof was replaced and a couple shingles are starting to lift.
If there are additional funds left over, museum officials would like to consider installing air conditioning so they can better preserve the items in the museum and give the staff who work up on the third floor some relief during the summer heat.
They are also looking into seeing if they can apply for grants.
"The community has been so supportive of this, this wouldn't exist without community support," Vancos said.
If the group is able to raise more than $25,000, the remaining funds will be earmarked for future remodeling and landscaping projects.
The group will be looking for volunteers to help with the preparation to help reduce the costs and have a professional paint outdoors.
Those with ideas, or who would like to volunteer, should contact Bill Vancos at (715) 360-0400 or [email protected].
Kayla Breese may be reached at kayla @rivernewsonline.com.
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