Spring - Waseca County Historical Society

History Notes
Volume 24, Issue 2
P.O.Box 314, Waseca
Waseca County Historical Society
www.historical.waseca.mn.us
I was watching
famous speakers at
graduation
of
commencements
t
are
Marg
on T.V. The one
n
n
that impressed
Si
me the most was
the man who
said, "We are not all
here because we are not all there".
I really got a laugh out of it and thought you might
also. Such a simple statement that says so much. It
has to be one of the cleverest sayings I have heard for
awhile. Laughing seems to carry a lot of weight this
year with all the budget shortfalls and illness that
seems to be in all our lives. We are trying to balance
it out with things that are a little tongue in cheek.
esk
the D
m
o
r
F
The Trowbridge Manor fundraiser. The final
expenses are not in yet but I’m guessing that the
society made somewhere right around $4,000.00 on
the event. It allowed us to make payroll before the
city appropriation comes in July. For this I am very
thankful. I also went down to 3/4 time. I haven't
found where I am working 3/4 time yet but maybe
when things slow down. We built our corporate
membership this year without a doubt. We also gave
them something for their sponorship. They are listed
elsewhere in the newsletter and are the reason we
could have the 2nd performance also. We thank them
for making up some of the slack and hope you do
also.
The fundraiser was not meant to hurt any feelings.
We did not advertise it because we knew that the
number we could accommodate was low. We hoped
that it would spread by mouth. I don't think it did
spread as well as I expected it to. It was such a new
Spring 2003
(507) 835-7700
concept for us. I have been told that we hurt
feelings of a person that we feel is very close to
us. A loyal supporter we owe a great deal to.
Honestly I can understand it and I do take full
responsibility for it. If we do this again - believe
me you will be the first that will hear about it.
We have many wonderful supporters, and no one
knows that or appreciates you more than I do.
I wish more of our own board could have seen it.
I think board president Don and Margaret
Wynnemer were the only ones of the twelve that
shared the experience with us. I know that several
were out of town and the rest missed a really great
time.
The actors - I can not say enough good about..
They gave of their time for many hours getting
ready for as well as the actual performance.
Silvan Durban, Pat Abbe, Gwen Buschow and I
wrote the basic play. There was no script. Each
person was given his or her part and then through
group discussion the performance was formed.
The outcome could turn on a dime and did with
two different endings on two different evenings.
My sincere appreciation goes to all of you. I hope
you had fun along the way. I know that you gave
me my share of laughs. Perhaps next year you
will all come back together to try it again. You
can do it again for those that did not have the
opportunity to see it. To those that didn't get to
see it and would like to - let us know.
Please Join us for the Waseca County Historical
Society “Chautauqua 2003”. Saturday July 5th at
Maplewood Park. See inside for more details!
Have a wonderful summer.
event.The day begins with an ecumenical Gospel
service under the big tent, followed by storytellers
Michael Cotter and Bev Jackson. Walking the
Chautauqua
woodland paths will be Al Batt, sharing his
JULY 5, 2003
interpretation of the flora and fauna living in the
Maplewood Park
park. Picnic lunches and hot dogs will be on the
Moms! Dads! Boys! Girls!
menu or bring your own picnic lunch, the
Come one, come all!
Minneapolis Police Band will be performing
We are fortunate to
under the big tent early afternoon ,
magician
Sponsored by the
have
a
well
Tom Terrific will be circulating around the park
Waseca County Historical
documented history
as well. Arts and Crafts for kids will be provided
Society
of
by Waseca Healthy Community/Healthy Kids
Initiative. Lace making demonstrations will be
the Chautauqua
given by Pam Rosen, Johnny Appleseed will be
assembly that came to
here for the day and for the final act we present
Waseca in the late 1800’s . Maplewood Park was host
under the big tent “Professor Wyllie’s
to this popular event. People came by rail, boat,
Magnificent Moving Panorama” show!
carriage and horseback. Hundreds of people came from
Admission is 5 cents, children
all over Minnesota and surrounding states to the
under ten and servants free!
Maplewood for the event.
WASECA, MN
The Waseca County
Historical Society is
bringing the
Chautauqua back to
Maplewood Park on
Saturday July 5th.
2003 .
What is Chautauqua?
Chautauqua is a community-based, cultural and social
movement that started in the 1870's and flourished in
America until the mid 1920's.
During this time there existed hundreds of touring
"Chautauquas" that presented lectures, dance, music,
drama, and other forms of
"cultural enrichment."
The movement is named for a
lake in upstate New York that
was the site of the first
Chautauqua, which consisted of
Sunday school teachers
lecturing outdoors about the
moral issues of the day.
Eventually it
broadened and organizers
brought in great orators, added
music, and later theater.
Performing in tents across the
country, Chautauquas were
once called "the most American
thing in America" by Teddy
Roosevelt.
The Waseca County
Historical Society Chautauqua
committee will again host this
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Bring your blankets, picnic baskets
and lawn chairs(and perhaps, bug
repellant) and enjoy a day of cultural
enrichment in historic Maplewood
Park. Sorry no overnight camping in the park.
Maplewood Chautauqua, Waseca Mn. ca 1898
Maplewood Hotel as viewed from a boat on Clear
Lake; the staircase and pier at lake side are visible.
A porch of a cottage in Maplewood Park during the time
of the Chautauqua Maplewood Park, Waseca MN.
The pavillion or shelter at Maplewood Park; shown
is a wood structure, open on all four sides, a
ventilated roof with clerestory windows on this side of
the structure,Christmas 1906.
Unidentified man standing on a log, and woman
sitting on the log at Maplewood Park, in front of the
Pavillion.
Maplewood Hotel, Maplewood Park, Waseca MN.
33
Waterslide, Maplewood Park, Waseca MN.
Tents were available to rent ,furnished or unfurnished.
They sat on raised wooden platforms.
Unidentified people camping at Maplewood
Park, Waseca Mn.
The Everett family and friends picnicing at Maplewood Park.
The Everetts cleaning their catch. Maplewood Park.
Bring this ticket to the
Chautauqua 2003
for free admission.
Remember, children under 10 and
servants free!
This program is made possible from grants
provided by NorAm Minnegasco, Prairie Lakes
Regional Arts Council and the Waseca Area
Tourism and Visitors Bureau
4
Taking a cue from the Chautauqua event
to be held at Maplewood Park on July 5,
the museum is currently displaying
Curator’s artifacts that represent summer
Corner recreational pastimes of the family and
community at the turn of the 20th
century. Some of the items you will see in
our display cases during June and July include:
♦ Men’s, women’s and children’s summer attire of the era
including bathing suits and straw hats;
♦ Band instruments and sheet music reflecting the
popularity of outdoor summer concerts;
♦ Picnic baskets and accessories for summer outdoor
eating and recreation;
♦ Flags and bunting representing the Independence Day
celebrations; and
♦ Popular novels and reading material of the day for
leisurely hammock reading.
The museum is open every day from 8 a.m. to noon, and
from 1 – 5 p.m.
Opening August 3, Quilt Show and Waseca
Garden Walk!
The invitation read as follows:
T
he
Waseca
County
Historical
Society
Presents:
Mystery Night
at Trowbridge
Come for a
night of gourmet appetizers, wine and intrigue.
The scene is set in June of 1910. The Countess
Maria has arrived from Romania to be introduced
to Waseca’s high society by Edward and Belle
Trowbridge. Be amused by a travelling psychic, a
renowned opera singer, and classical
pianist, as well as the intermingling actors
involved in a mysterious plot.
played convincingly well by Pat Abbe, was offed each
night. All characters were suspect for each had a
motive that was revealed as the mystery unfolded.
The first night the butler, played by Owatonna Art
Center Director Silvan Durban, was the murderer and
the second night the murderer was Count Edwardo
played notoriously by Mick Barens. Also involved in
the plot were Rick Roberts as Edward Trowbridge,
Teri Pribble as Mrs. Trowbridge, Marcia Priebe as the
mysterious psychic Desdemona, University of
Minnesota archeologist Digger Jones,played by Tim
Penny, Rick Morris as Inspector Hector Clueless
solved the mystery within minutes of the crime each
night! Sheila Morris and Margaret Sinn were upstairs
and downstairs maids as well as myself
(Joan Mooney)playing personal attendant to the
Countess, Georgene. And for the evening’s
entertainment, Rebecca Sommers as Rebecca
Longnecka delighted the crowd with her wonderful
voice as her accompanist the talented Eric Eichorst
played the piano. Behind the scenes as real servants
were Don and Margaret Wynnemer, Mary Allen,
Donna Fostveit, Pauline Fenelon, Marita Wadd, John
Pribble, Susie and Dennis Keuffner, Sue Boje, Stacy
Larson, Barb Noble, Gwen Buscho, Jan Schistle,
Terrie Barens and Boyd Abbe was our bartender.
Other contributors were; Waseca Senior Center,
Gustavus Adolfus College, Jack Williams, Wayne
Jertson, Frannie Anderson , and Tim Dann.
Thank you to all who helped with this event and also
to all of the wonderful guests who participated and
made this fund raising event a success.
NEXT YEAR MYSTERY NIGHT TRAVELS TO
JANESVILLE TO THE FENELON HOUSE.
The guests started arriving at 6:45 pm. at the home
of Edward and Belle Trowbridge ( John and Teri
Pribble). Many came dressed in their best attire!
Unfortunately all of the WCHS staff were deeply
involved in the production and were unable to take
photo’s of the event. Images shown are courtesy of
Carol Wobschall (Hedda the gossip columnist),
who was kind enough to share them with as as well
as play the part of Hedda.
To make a long story short..., The Countess,
Home of John and Teri Pribble, built by Ira
Trowbridge in 1893.
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Mystery Night Cast
Seated left to right ;
Margaret Sinn (housekeeper)
Marcia Priebe (Desdemona) Joan
Mooney (Georgena) Pat Abbe (the
Countess) Mick Barens (Count
Edwardo) Carol Wobschall
( Hedda ) Belle Trowbridge
(Teri Pribble)
Digger Jones ( Tim Penny)
Edgar Trowbridge
( Rick Roberts)
Standing left to right ;
Silvan Durban(the butler)
Sheila Morris (the maid)
and Rick Morris (Insp. Clueless)
Sheila, the dutifull downstairs maid.
The lovely hostess, Belle Trowbridge.
Terrie Barens and Marita Wadd, the real
servants, kept the hors d oeurves coming and the
glasses full !
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The Waseca County Historical Society would like to thank the following
Corporate Sponsors for Mystery Night At Trowbridge Manor
(507) 835-1146—14595 Hwy. 14 East—Waseca, MN 56093
(507) 835-1940 Hwy. 14 West—Waseca, MN 56093
Waseca Ink
(507) 835-1251—108 2nd Ave. N.W.—Waseca, MN
(507) 835-5415—313 2nd St. N.W.—Waseca, MN 56093
(800) 210-8692—711 N. State St., Waseca, MN 56093
(800) 800-CABLE—1504 2nd St. S.E.—Waseca, MN
Bob DeKruif
Broker Associate
GRI / ABR
(507) 835-3495
1209 S. State St.—Waseca, MN 56093
(507) 835-1466—216 S. State St.—Waseca, MN 56093
(507) 835-1320
4th St. at 5th Ave. S.W.
Waseca, MN 56093
(507) 835-1136—200 N. State St.—Waseca, MN 56093
(507) 835-2410—2300 Brown Avenue—Waseca, MN 56093
(507) 835-1097—121 N.W. 2nd St.—Waseca, MN 56093
First National Bank
Kinder-Dennis
Waseca / Northridge / Ellendale / Hope
Home for Funerals
(507) 835-2740—101 N. State St.—Waseca, MN
(507) 835-2190—109 3rd St. N.E.—Waseca, MN 56093
(507) 835-4220—200 2nd St. N.E.—Waseca, MN 56093
207 N. State St.—Waseca, MN 56093
(507) 835-2540—407 5th Avenue S.E.—Waseca, MN 56093
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(507) 837-4300—2401 N. State St.—Waseca, MN 56093
NON-PROFIT
U.S. POSTAGE PD.
WASECA MN.56093
PERMIT # 41
WASECA COUNTY
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
P.O. BOX 314
WASECA MN. 56093
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
Memorials
Milton Clemons, Ray Cahill, Anna Middlestead, Dorothy Born
Phil Allen
New Members and Renewals
Allen County Public Library, Iraline Eichhorst, Ronald Mentjes, Harry Schroeder, J.Paul Ward, Robin Terrell,
Larry Fischer, Janette Larson, Harold Habein, Gene Miller, Virginia Swenson, Roberta Walker,
Tesch Service Center, Connie Hall, Mert Schwarz, Robert Frisk, Eldora Frisk, Elizabeth Noetzel, Ferne
Thursdale, Peggy Hildebrandt, Leslie Barr, Deborah Ziesmer, Carolyn Nelson,
Wilton Township, Jean Miller, Waseca Education Association, Vivian Township, Helen Greenwood, David
Hause, Al Butler, Beverly Webb, Susan Hoverlund, Frank Phillip, Forst National Bank, Annola Born, Winegar
Inc., Pearl Hoversten, Gail Stanley, Dan Hughes, State Bank of New Richland, Francis Fitzsimmons, Ervin
Wille,
Gwen Buscho, Patrick Madden, Woodville Township, Sharon Schuler, Barbara Graham, Marie Querna,
Leone Benson, Dallas McColley, Francis Miller, Lisa Ward, Dave Dunn, Linda Taylor, Patricia Wuger,
Jeanette Rosenthal, Dennis Wolff, Selma Reb, Bruce Stauffer, Andrea Olson, Elaine and Rick Westrum,
Jean Byron, Scott Young, Warren Krienke, Kathleen Rosenthal, Patrick Bowen, Myrwood Bagne,
W.H.Rethwill Jr., Carol Wobschall, Kirsten Muotka, Elaine Flathers, Karen Lechner, Dorothy Gigeay, Alan
Twisselman, Harry Iverson, Donna Miller, Judy Joecks, Brad Larson, Andrew Miller, Arnold Deverell, Alton
Township, Marilyn Wright, Matthew Schmitz, John Priebe, Betty Kuntze, Leo Fette, New Richland Care
Center, Bonnie Gallagher, R.P. Madel, Laurie Behn, N.Ione Nibler, Al Ruland, Michael Linnihan, Betty
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