MUSEUM MUSINGS
A NEWSLETTER OF THE GENEVA LAKE MUSEUM
WINTER 2015
Maxwell’s Return to Lake Geneva
Open House to meet the Maxwell’s at the museum
Thursday – February 19th 5 to 7 PM ALL welcome!
Thanks to all our WONDERFUL volunteers!
Winterfest at Geneva Lake Museum
Saturday, January 31st 10 AM to 6 PM
Special Admission: $5 adults
children free
4 PM: Ice Harvesting Workshop
5 PM: Ice Sailing Workshop
Mill Street Center open all day for
warm up and refreshments
Above is when Lori Grove, of the Maxwell Institute, brought
the Maxwell portraits home in 2014. They have now settled into
the museum and we are pleased to “open” our museum as their
new home February 19th!
2015 promises to be a year full of new views for our guests.
Check out our “Undressed” exhibit opening February 28th! A
“brief” exhibit on ladies under garments…oh my! Then get on
your dancing shoes as we open The Roaring 20’s Exhibit this
Spring! Flappers, gangsters, Art Deco and all that Jazz!
This summer we celebrate The Blakeslee Art Collection from
around the lake in the 1920’s. We are here to preserve our
history for our future generations, thank you for your continued
support.
Karen Jo - Executive Director
When visiting the museum take a little time to check out the Gift Shop.
Our list of book titles & gift items continues to grow. For children we have
many hard to find cut out and coloring books that educate & entertain.
AND members get a 10% discount on their purchases
(excluding discount shelf items)
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT
James Gee
VICE PRESIDENT
Dale Buelter
SECRETARY
Vern Magee
INTERIM TREASURER
Mary Olson
DIRECTORS
Richard Bain
Barbara Buelter
Marianne Bonifacic
Chuck Ebeling
Patricia Gee
Dana Hagenah
Vern Magee
Joanne Niessner
Mary Tanner
Dee Bark-Fiske
Dale Buelter
Jim Davis
James Gee
E. Lynn Grayson
Betty Less
Mary Olson
Don Rutkowski
David C. Williams
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
Director
Karen Jo Walsh
Curator
Helen Brandt
Office Manager
Pat Cramer
MUSEUM MUSINGS is a periodic
newsletter by Geneva Lake Museum
that provides pertinent information
to museum members and supporters.
The museum is located at the
intersection of Mill Street and
Highway 50. 255 Mill Street
Lake Geneva, WI 53147
(262) 248-6060
www.GenevaLakeMuseum.org
[email protected]
Representatives from the Education Committee got new ideas after
visiting the Burlington Historical Museum and their “Old” Cabin.
Come check out GLM’s updates in our cabin on Main Street with
“new sausages, fresh baked bread, red onions!”
Can you find the ball of yarn?
Jan. Feb. March April Events:
Tuesdays @ 2 – Workshops
Tuesday, Jan. 20: Glass Paper Weights with Rex Newcomb
Tuesday, Jan. 27: Sanitariums with Sonja Akright
*** Saturday, Jan. 31: Ice Harvesting @4, Ice Sailing @5 ***
Tuesday, Feb. 3: Glass Etching with Dori Davis/Beck
Tuesday, Feb. 10: Historical Post Cards with Tom Laughlin
***
Saturday, Feb. 14th Annual Train Show
***
Tuesday, Feb. 17: Wisconsin Wine with Helen and Ken
*** Thursday, Feb. 19th Maxwell Grand Opening 5 to 7 PM ***
Tuesday, Feb. 24: World’s Fair of 1893 with history buff Cathy
***
Saturday, Feb. 28th Undressed Grand Opening
***
Tuesday, Mar. 3: Falling for the Falls-Part 2 of Africa Safari
Tuesday, Mar. 10: Foodies at the Fair with Bob McCormick
Tuesday, Mar. 17: Chudnow Collection with Steve (don’t miss!)
Tuesday, Mar. 24: History of Furniture with Bonnie & Judy
Tuesday, Mar. 31: The Belfry is BACK! Transforming with Anne
Tuesday, April 7: Beyond the Jiggle! Jell-O with Joan
Tuesday, April 14: FIELD TRIP to Midway Museum
Reservations required & seating on bus is limited! Book NOW!
Tuesday, April 21: Hale to the BALE planting with Diane Bauman
Tuesday, April 28: Prohibition: government at its best! Pat Gee
Curator’s Corner
Pantaloons and Petticoats
Track
The
Past
2015
WEBSTER'S ENCLOPEDIC UNABRIDGED DICTIONARY, New
Revised Edition, defines Pantaloons as "A man's close fitting garment for
the hips and legs, worn especially in the 19th century, but varying in
form from period to period." It is also defined as a type of tights.
Further research informs us that Pantaloon was a form of "wide"
breeches that were worn in England, especially during the reign of
Charles II (1660-1685). Another definition mentions that pantaloons,
besides being a close-fitting trouser, had straps under the insteps, and
were in use mainly in the 19th century.
Closely associated with the word pantaloon, is pantaloun a silly old man
in Italian comedy, who wore tight trousers over his skinny legs. The
derivation here is from the Middle French (1580-1590). It is interesting
to note that the modern term "Pants" is a shortened form of Pantaloons,
which first appeared in 1840.
Spinning toys: still a popular game
at the Victorian Christmas Party!
Pantaloons will be prominently featured in a new exhibit the Geneva
Lake Museum is mounting on Vintage Underwear. The exhibit will
debut on Main Street February 28th, 2015. The museum wishes to thank
all who have donated or put on loan pantaloons, as well as other articles
of vintage undergarments.
Please visit the museum website: genevalakemuseum.org for information
regarding the upcoming exhibit, as well as future exhibits and events.
Helen Brandt,
Curator GLM
Santa and Aunt Ivy listen
to kids of all ages, all year:
so better be good!
By the Numbers 2014
435
MEMBERS
20
19,234
47
workshops
Tuesday @ 2
ATTENDANCE
39 STATES
Open
262
days
11,445.5
hours
Total of 31,482.5 = 1 GREAT MUSEUM!
Do you recognize this building? Original
“light” building which now serves as our
home…so be sure to “STOP” in!
in the
museum
 IN TO SEE THE
TRAIN SHOW
 VALENTINES DAY
 10 TO 4 FREE
ROLL out the New Year: come by to
see our under wear exhibit
“Undressed” opening February 28th
Great way to celebrate
Valentine’s Day!
BE A MEMBER

Established in 1984 by the Geneva Lake
History Buffs. We moved to our present
location in July 2004.

Our exhibits and programs create a
connection between today’s world and that
of the19th-century Geneva Lake Area.

Our museum serves as a family-oriented
educational and entertainment venue telling
the story of how life developed around the
shores of Geneva Lake.
Our reference library contains thousands of
books, photographs and other archival
reference materials to aid in a variety of
research goals.
Our museum preserves Geneva Lake area’s
history to build a collective memory of our
unique and rich heritage.
Member contributions are invaluable to
furthering the museum’s mission.




Members of the Geneva Lake Museum
become part of a like-minded community
dedicated to preserving our heritage.
Our mission: Geneva Lake Museum discovers and
preserves the rich history that hides throughout Geneva
Lake and the surrounding communities. The exhibits
within the walls are time capsules that capture every
essence of Geneva Lake and its people, people with
amazing stories that unravel with every scene and
every word led by our exclusive guides. These stories
wait for people young and old who have the ears eager
to listen, the eyes that are ready to be awakened
and the open mind waiting to learn.
The Geneva Lake Museum appreciates the support of its members and volunteers. If you want to be a part of the museum and
support the preservation of local area history, please complete and submit the membership form with your payment. Thank you!
Remember: members of the GLM enjoy FREE admission all year 
Members enjoy FREE Tuesday @ 2 workshops all year 
Members enjoy a 10% discount on all store purchases (except discounted items)
Share with a friend to join – remember “History Loves Company”
Name______________________________________________________________________Phone________________________
Address________________________________________________________________________________________________
E-mail__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Please support your museum by choosing one of the following:
Life Membership (Includes 4 passes) $500.00
Benefactor (Includes 3 passes per visit) $100.00
Supporting (Includes 1 pass per visit) $50.00 Patron (Includes 2 guest passes per visit) $75.00
Adults only $30.00
Seniors (with I.D.) $15.00
Students (with I.D.) $10.00
Commercial/Business Sponsorship $50.00 annually (does not include free admissions)
Please accept my additional gift of $__________
Please make checks payable to the Geneva Lake Museum, 255 Mill St., Lake Geneva WI 53147.
*Memberships and contributions may be tax deductible under Sec. 501 (c) (3) of the
Internal Revenue Code, please consult your tax advisor.
The Art of Welding
Sculpture by Brady Lueck
Brady Lueck is a prominent metal sculptor from
Southeastern Wisconsin focusing on welded steel as
a direct metal art medium.
In 1999,
from a
overseas
program
become a
launching into a sculpture career.
learning the trade and exploring
medium. It is with this confidence
can
after returning
long-term
management
assignment in Thailand, Lueck entered a welding
at a local technical college. “It was important to me to
skilled welder before
So I spent two years
welded steel as an art
in my technical skills that I
tackle challenges of large
structural art projects.”
Many
are
As a
welds
believe
my
works
unconventional approaches
employed to texture the sculpture surfaces.
result, surface welds and other non-critical
are often subjected to artistic license. “I
that some of these techniques might make
work notable and discernable from the
of others.”
Lueck also invests considerable
project engineering is important
elements of design but is also
effort planning each composition. This
so that each piece serves not only the
functional and structurally sound.
Artist’s statement
I believe that art should elevate human
achievement and communicate the rational
of mankind. My focus is to create work
tells a story and uplifts people in the spirit
Romanticism. My objective is to create
that inspires and engages the viewer.
Contact the artist
Lueck Sculptural Steel
8210 Summit Place
Burlington, WI 53105
[email protected]
www.sculpturalsteel.com
(262) 949-6400
Keep in touch at
www.pinterest.com/touchhistory/
geneva-lake-museum/
We thank Brady and all the
others who volunteer their
time to be a part of our
Tuesday @ 2 workshop series.
If you would like to join our
speakers group OR know
someone, please contact
Karen Jo at
[email protected]