If you’re in the mood for some local history while at this year’s Kenosha County Fair, be sure to check out the Western Kenosha County Historical Society’s display in the Commercial Building.
Here is a rundown of some of their offerings:
Is your name on this listing? The Western Kenosha County Historical Society has an all points bulletin out for you again this year, the fifth year running. This will be the last year. WKCHS believes that they have something of interest to you or to your family. It may be big or small but it is something that they would like to return to you or someone of your immediate family. Last year, over 30 people visited the WKCHS booth in the Commercial Building and received their family treasures. “We hope that all of the people listed visit with us this year,” said Society President Vi Miller.” “We have protected the items for over 20 years but now it is time to return them to family! Last year there were lots of smiles from those who saw their names and visited!” A few actually had tears in their eyes when presented with records that brought back memories of long ago. The names belong to people who attended Wilmot High School between 1975 and 1986 and had Dick Heigl as a teacher. Please notice, these items must be given to family members. Some information would be considered private in this day and age. The society does not have the ability to track people down. It publishes this list in an effort to allow family, friends and neighbors to contact those listed in turn to contact us.
This year, the Society will feature historic images of Powers Lake, Slades Corners, Wheatland Station, Honey Bear Farm and Bassett and welcomes information and recollections about life in the area. After the fair, these images will be on display at the Community Library in Salem.
The society also will have an Ice Harvesting display including tools that were used in the work. Ice Harvesting in Western Kenosha County was big business.
WKCHS will continue to collect names for the nameless students that they have published in the past and which are waiting publication in the historical schoolhouse calendars and hope for your help. “Last year we received many names for our unidentified students and teachers,” said Miller. “We’d like to have every student and every teacher named. A few of the images in this years’ calendar have some new unidentified students and we would like to have names for the photos as soon as possible.”
The society is also on a hunt for photos of students from Paddock Lake School. The society is surprised that after printing calendars since 1993, they do not have a single image of the school or of kids from that school. Can you help?”
This year, the society’s second calendar — Where We Live — is returning! Each month will feature a different area of Westeren Kenosha County in a collage format.
“Summer Enhancement – A History of Twin Lakes” also will be available. The society published in this book in 1994 and is a wonderful reminisce of Twin Lakes in an era of summer enchantment.
An HO scale model layout of the Trevor Yards also will be on display.
This year the society will be putting together some Christmas ornaments for the fun of it as a small craft table for adults and kids for a Society Tree this coming Christmas Holiday. You are welcome to join in.
The society can always be reached at wkenoshachs@gmail.com or on Facebook, which is viewable by anyone.
