BURLINGTON HISTORIAN September 2016 |
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BURLINGTON HISTORIAN September 2016 |
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Burlington History | | Society History | Newsletters | Articles | Photo Collection | On-line Records | Publications for Sale |
A- | A | A+ | Home Contents Search Visit Us Join Us Related Sites Notices Contact Us |
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Burlington History | | Society History | Newsletters | Articles | Photo Collection | On-line Records | Publications for Sale |
September 2013
Society’s Home Page
Revamped and Updated If you haven’t taken a look recently at the Society’s website, you’ve missed a remarkable transformation of our home page to a more colorful and eye-pleasing format. The transformation is both the idea and the handiwork of Jeff Kiekenbush, the Society’s webmaster, who has revamped and updated the home page at "burlingtonhistory.org." Following our securing of a new internet host after our previous one "lost" a server, took our website with it, and couldn’t tell us when we would be back online, Jeff thought it was time to modernize the website. We had had the previous format since we went online about 2002. You can get an idea of the new format in the following "screen capture" of the top portion of the home page. However, because the image cannot do full justice to the artistic quality of the site, you’ll have to visit the site to appreciate the transformation.
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President’s Message As we approach the end of summer, we find that the seasons seem to change faster every year. A "not so warm" summer weekend put sort of a damper on the Society’s annual "Ice Cream Social" at Wehmhoff Square at the end of July. We just about broke even for the event which found a few brave souls wandering around in jackets and extra layers of clothing to keep warm. Looking back in the publications and newsletters of our Society, which can be found on our re-designed website (burlingtonhistory.org), I found an article used to promote an open house at the museum many years ago that I thought was worthy of a "re-print": Have you ever wondered . . . . . . what main Native American tribe populated the Burlington area in the 1800s and what their Indian name for Browns Lake was. . . . what Burlington’s name was just prior to becoming Burlington. . . . why the city streets do not run true north and south. . . . what the names Origen, Perkins, Whiting, Gardner, Lewis, and Conkey have in common. . . . where the oldest building in the state that has continuously housed a bank is located. . . . what houses in town were part of the underground railroad for fugitive slaves before the Civil War. . . . how many bottling companies (breweries included) were started in Burlington. . . . what is the oldest business in Burlington. . . . what patented inventions were manufactured here in Burlington. . . . what the Town Pump, Purple Cow, Skyscraper, and Carousel have in common. A visit to our museum almost any Sunday afternoon will give you the answers to those questions. Also, we ask our members to share our newsletters with others that may have an interest in the history of the Burlington community and may consider becoming a supporting member. Christmas Program to be Held December 1 The Society’s Christmas program this year will be held on Sunday, December 1, at Veterans Terrace. Featured will be Rochelle Pennington’s presentation of "Stories Behind Our Most Loved Christmas Hymns and Carols." Ms. Pennington – a church organist / pianist / guitarist for over 30 years – will explore the fascinating history of dozens of our most memorable Christmas carols. Ever wonder about the origin of your favorite holiday hymn or song or what events inspired its lyrics to be written? Ms. Pennington will offer factual perspective, behind-the-scenes trivia, and little-known insights into well-known carols. The audience will be invited to sing with gusto (or simply hum along) during the program’s musical conclusion. The program will start about 1:30 p.m. It will be preceded by a short business meeting to elect four members to the Society’s board of directors. The program is free of charge and refreshments will be served. "Dollar a Day Boys" Program to be Held at Public Library on September 21 Author / songwriter Bill Jamerson will present a music and storytelling program about the Civilian Conservation Corps at the Burlington Public Library on Saturday, September 21, at 1 p.m. He will share stories about the CCC, a federal works program that operated during The Great Depression. During its 9 years, about 92,000 young men worked in Wisconsin camps earning $1 a day, with $25 a month sent home to their families. In Wisconsin, they planted 265 million trees, built 483 bridges, erected
over 4,000 miles of telephone poles, constructed 4,300 miles of truck
trails, stocked half a billion fish, fought forest fires, and built several
state parks, including Rib Mountain, Interstate, Devil’s Lake, Peninsula
Park, Copper Falls, and Wyalusing. They also worked with hundreds of farmers
terracing hills, putting up fencing, and repairing gullies. |
Did You Know . . . . . . that the cuspidors (aka spitoons) used in the Wisconsin legislature from 1911 to 1955 were made in Burlington? The Burlington Brass Works made 24 of them. They were about 12 inches in diameter and 8 inches high, with a removal pot and a cover. Each weighed about 40 pounds and were taken to Lake Mendota to clean. For the sample sent for approval, George Klein created the pattern, Arthur G. Weiss machined the parts, and Charles Brenton, Sr., shined it up. |
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Last modified: 10/9/2013