1

THE NEWSLETTER OF THE MARATHON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY • 2018 NO. 1

19th Annual Valentine Tea

Relax & enjoy an elegant afternoon tea with delicious

sweets & savories, flowers, linens and a special

program to top off your afternoon.

Thursday, February 8, 2018 At 2:00 pm

Woodson History Center 410 McIndoe Street, Wausau

Members $30.00 Non-members $35.00

Space is limited Reservations are required

Call us at 715-842-5750 and talk to Sara or Janet

about reserving your spot today!

2

The Marathon County Historical Society

is supported in part by

City of Wausau Room Tax Funding.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Dorothy Maxfield, President

John Hattenhauer, Vice President

Gary Frary, Treasurer

Jane Janke Johnson, Secretary

Brett Barker

Bill Bertram

Sandi Cihlar

Robert Hagge, Jr.

Laurel Hoffman

Greg Huber

Richard Lohr

Donald Prehn

Mary Roberts

Gerald Viste

Brian Williams

Russell Wilson

Kelly Zagrzebski

DuWayne Zamzow

STAFF

Mary Forer, Executive Director

Mary Jane Hettinga, Historic Preservation

Consultant

Gary Gisselman, Librarian/Archivist

Anna Chilsen Straub, Curator of Education

Sara K. Goetsch, Curator of Events

Gary Walters, Curator of the Yawkey House

Janet Klutterman, Administrative Director

Sandy Block, Program Director

Ben Clark, Archivist

Mike Bresnahan, Maintenance

Kathy Volkmann, Curator of Artifacts

Linda Forbess, Curator of Textiles

George Alafouzos, Weekend Curator

Jessica Sandene, Weekend Curator

Emily Schreiner, Weekend Curator

Liane Worden, Bookkeeper

PRINTING OF THE WANIGAN

Editor: Sara K. Goetsch

Co-Editor: Anna Straub

Welcome To Our New Members

Roxanne Gisselman

Arlene Lambert

Scott Campbell

Ann Sczygelski

Bill & Cindy Owen

Mike & Kathy Olson

Phyllis Lehmann

Tammi Rodemeier

Suzette Sasman/River’s Edge Quilting LLC

THANK YOU •

Thank you to our volunteers and re-enactors

who made our Christmas at the Houses so

Successful.

Thanks to Bonnie Ostrowski, Sharon Ostrowski,

Mary Moltzan, Kathy Anderson and Mike

Bresnahan for all their help decorating the two

houses for Christmas.

Thank you to the volunteers who helped us with

the Member Holiday Reception. It was the most

attended party to date.

A special thank you to Alyssa Frierson for her

help on our website and all the oral history

transcribing she did since last October.

1) a. Florence Henderson 2) c. Gregory Hines

3) c. Lorentz Hart 4) d. 1913 5) c. from prison

6) c. Bear Hug 7) d. 85 8) b. Ares 9) d. Venus

10) a. fertility 11) c. 12 calories 12) c. teachers

13) b. Verona 14) a. nectar 15) d. beauty

16) b. England 17) a. liver

Answers for Valentine Trivia on page 8~

No Cheating!

3

GIFTS RECEIVED •

-A donation from Lou Ann Bohn in memory of June Paul

-A donation from Carol Reitz in memory of Carol Torresani

-A gift from the H.J. Hagge Foundation Fund within the Community Foundation of North Central

Wisconsin

-A gift from the WI Valley Model Railroad Club

Misc…

We Could Use Your Help

Our vintage board game collection has grown to about 150 games! We are in need of additional bins to help us

transport games to off premise events and for storage between game nights. Please consider donating tubs that

that are either medium (about 20x17) or large (about 30x17), preferably with lids. Clear is best, but we will

certainly accept those that are solid colors as well. We appreciate your help! See you at Vintage Board Game

Night the 1st Thursday (at Limericks in Downtown Wausau) or the 4th Friday at the Woodson History Center.

These photographs from the MCHS archives show the Wausau teams participating in the girl’s hockey and

basketball competition during the second annual Wausau Winter Frolics in 1927. The event was a celebration

of winter sports in the Wausau area, including competitions in skating, curling, cross-country skiing, ski

jumping, tobogganing, horse racing, target and trap shooting, a dog derby, and the odd pairing of basketball

and hockey. The sports joined other spectacles put on during the festival, including a parade, large bonfire,

fireworks, and the crowning of a Frolic Queen. It was an interesting time when Marathon County girls could

participate in a pageant, play competitively in hockey, or simply enjoy the winter festivities as a spectator.

4

Upcoming Events

3rd Annual

Houses in Bloom March 6-March 11

This popular event is back and better than ever. It keeps “growing” bigger every year!

This exciting floral event at both the historic Yawkey House and Woodson History

Center will be sure to cure the winter blahs and give you a whole new reason for

visiting! Immerse yourself in the sights and scents of the awakening season of spring

as local florists and creative experts fill the ornate rooms of our grand homes with their

unique creations.

Members Only Sneak Peek Tuesday, March 6

5:30-7:30 pm

Both houses will be open for

members to get a first look at all the

fresh designs. You’ll be able to talk

with local florists about their creative

ideas and enjoy light refreshments.

Watch the mail for your

personal invite.

Weekend tours at 1:00,

2:00 & 3:00 pm

Weekday tours on the

hour starting at 9:00 am,

last tour at 3:00 pm.

Mother & Child Tea Saturday, February 10, 2018

2:00 pm Woodson History Center

A fun afternoon for mothers & their children. Grandmas, Aunts & special guests are also

invited. Learn proper etiquette, make a Valentine craft to take home and enjoy

yummy sweets & treats

$15 per adult & $10 per child. Reservations are Required and can be made

by calling 715-842-5750.

5

Upcoming Speakers

The Marathon County Historical Society continues its popular lecture series History Speaks, which

includes a wide variety of topics presented by local experts and history enthusiasts.

All lectures are presented at the Woodson History Center, have no admission fee, and no

registration is required. However, donations are always appreciated. All presentations begin at 2 pm, unless

otherwise noted.

Saturday, January 27 Forward: Progressive Era Women Reformers Paul Clark, Wausau East History teacher, will focus on Wisconsin women reformers in the early 20th century,

with emphasis on women's suffrage (voting rights), the Temperance movement, Settlement houses, and

children's advocacy.

Saturday, February 17 Between Two Cultures: The Story of a First Generation Hmong

American Who Becomes a Professional For a Hmong woman, finding balance between career, community, culture, and family can be challenging.

Maysee Yang Her shares personal stories and reflections of how she has been challenged by social and cultural

expectations, and how she has overcome them.

Sunday, March 25 Advances in the Treatment of Heart Disease Since 1970, with Dr. Rick

Engelmeier Little could be done for heart patients until the 1970s. Research since then has uncovered significant

knowledge, and the treatment of heart disease now includes dietary and lifestyle changes, surgery,

medications, and cardiac catheterization procedures, leading to better outcomes.

Sunday, April 8 John James Audubon and ‘The Birds of America’ Dr. Brett Barker of UWMC History Department will explore the life of the “bird man”, his contributions to

ornithology and art, and the ways in which his book “The Birds of America” continues to inspire and intrigue

people today.

Sunday, April 29 Streets of Downtown Wausau Gary Gisselman will take a look at downtown buildings through the 1950s, especially on Third Street,

including buildings torn down to make way for the Wausau Center Mall.

Sunday, May 19 150 Years of the Wisconsin Valley Fair Ben Clark will present a special “History Speaks” on the history of the Wisconsin Valley Fair to coincide with

Wausau’s Downtown Open House. The open house will be held in different locations throughout Wausau,

and will run from 10-4. The talk will take place at 2:00.

6

Upcoming Events

Vintage Board Game Nights

Game nights will run from 7 pm to 10 pm on the fourth Fridays each month at the Woodson History Center.

Join us for one or all of these nights of gaming fun for all ages. Bring your own board game or use one of ours.

During the evening, you can test your knowledge with a “What's The Historic Artifact?” contest.

Among the games we already have are Mastermind, Connect 4, Twister, Aggravation, Go to the Head of the

Class, Yahtzee, Labyrinth, PayDay, Cootie, Mille Bornes, Clue, Tiddly Winks, PassWord, Kerplunk, Nick at

Night Classic TV, Rook, and Apples to Apples.

Watch our Facebook page for a longer list of games and future dates for Vintage Board Game Night!

2018 Civil War Book Club 7:00 pm at the Woodson History Center

Led by Prof. Brett Barker-University of Wisconsin Marathon County On the 4th Thursday of the Month

Jan 25: James McPherson, The War That Forged a Nation: Why the Civil War Still Matters.

ISBN: 978-0190658533

Feb 22: Scott W. Berg, 38 Nooses: Lincoln, Little Crow, and the Beginning of the Frontier’s

End. ISBN: 978-0307389138

Mar 22: Jonathan Horn, The Man Who Would Not Be Washington: Robert E. Lee's Civil War

and His Decision That Changed American History. ISBN: 978-1476748573

Apr 26: Peter Svenson, Battlefield: Farming a Civil War Battleground. ISBN: 978-1580801867

Note: This is a reprint of Svenson’s 1992 book. Its release date is Dec. 7, 2017, so it should be

available by April, which is why it is listed last. It should currently be listed as out-of-print.

21 Plus Game Night

Vintage Board Game Night just for those 21 and older every first Thursday of the month! Games begin at 7 pm

at Limerick’s Public House, 121 Scott Street, downtown Wausau.

The Marathon County Historical Society will bring its own vintage game collection of almost 150 games to

Limericks for a night of vintage game night fun! We also invite you to bring your own vintage board games

along. Limericks will even have vintage cocktail specials in addition to their regular drink specials. A different

decade will be highlighted each month. Participants can bring along their own snacks to enjoy while playing!

No drinks may be carried in, and please no popcorn. Games are free to play- but donations are always

appreciated!

Please note that Limericks does not accept credit cards. However, they do have an ATM on site.

Don't forget to invite your friends and share the event to help spread the word!

7

Valentine Trivia

1. What famous actress was born on February 14? a. Florence Henderson b. Audrey Hepburn c. Patricia Richardson d. Farrah Fawcett-Majors 2. What famous actor was born on February 14? a. Gary Coleman b. Ashton Kutcher c. Gregory Hines d. Billy Crystal 3. Who wrote the lyrics to "My Funny Valentine"? a. Richard Rogers b. Barabara Striesand c. Lorenz Hart d. Miles Davis 4. In what year did Hallmark makes its first Valentine card? a. 1957 b. 1941 c. 1924 d. 1913 5. Where was the first Valentine's Day card sent from? a. the battlefield b. a monestary c. a prison d. a hospital 6. What conversation heart saying was added in 2005? a. Be Mine b. Love Me Tender c. Bear Hug d. Heart of Gold 7. Approximately what percentage of Valentine’s Day cards are purchased by women? a. 24 b. 47 c. 68 d. 85 8. Who was Cupid's father? a. Eros b. Ares c. Vesta d. Anteros 9. Who was Cupid's mother? a. Aphrodite b. Artemis c. Hera d. Venus

10. According to mythology, what was once celebrated on Val-entine's Day? a. Fertility b. Virginity c. Romance d. Marriage 11. Approximately how many calories can be burned by pas-sionately kissing for one minute? a. 0 calories b. 2 calories c. 12 calories d. 22 calories 12. According to statistics, in what profession do people re-ceive the most Valentine's Day cards? a. Nurses b. Secretaries c. Teachers d. Librarians 13. What Italian city receives thousands of cards addressed

to Juliet every Valentine's Day?

a. Rome

b. Verona

c. Venice

d. Florence

14. According to Roman mythology, what liquid that spilled by

Cupid caused roses to grow?

a. nectar

b. rose oil

c. patchouli oil

d. red wine

15. What were Esther Howland's valentines known for?

a. price

b. color

c. availability

d. beauty

16. In what country's museum can you find the oldest known

Valentine still in existence?

a. Italy

b. England

c. Greece

d. France

17. In Shakespearean times what bodily organ was associated

with love?

a. liver

Answers can be found on page 2 of the Wanigan

8

Our Mission Statement

To collect, preserve, advance, and disseminate the

knowledge of the history of Marathon County and

the State of Wisconsin

LOCATIONS AND HOURS

WOODSON HISTORY CENTER

410 McIndoe St., Wausau, WI 54403

Office: 715-842-5750 Library: 715-848-0378

Fax: 715-848-0576

Library Hours: Tuesday through Friday

9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Web site: www.marathoncountyhistory.org

YAWKEY HOUSE MUSEUM

403 McIndoe St., Wausau, WI 54403

Hours: Tuesday through Friday

9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday

1:00 - 4:30 p.m.

Yawkey House tours are offered on the hour,

last tour starts at 3:00 p.m.

Closed on Mondays and Holidays.

Marathon County Historical Society

410 McIndoe Street

Wausau, Wisconsin 54403

Non-Profit

Organization

U. S. Postage

PAID

Wausau, WI

54403

Permit #550 Return Service Requested