What is a History Harvest?

A history harvest brings community members together to share their own personal and family histories through photos and objects to help us celebrate and preserve our local history. The first Spooner History Harvest was hosted on December 2022 and the second was hosted in April 2023.

We invite you to join us for future history harvests to build connections through stories about meaningful photos and objects. If you are worried that you don’t have an object that is “historically significant” we challenge you to see yourself as a part of history. We are all history in the making! You could bring in a photo of your family farm, a medal you received during military service, your grandmother’s favorite recipe book, a piece of mail delivered by railroad etc. These are all historical treasures and they help us see how we connect to the people and places around us.

This event began through the 2022-23 partnership between the Spooner Memorial Library & Wisconsin Humanities Community Powered Initiative.

Metal Objects: Remants of the Wisconsin Logging Industry in the 19th Century

Click the photo to hear about these three metal objects that Ivo found in Rusk County, WI that he believes are remnants of Wisconsin’s Logging Industry.

Grandparent's Wedding Ring, Gloves, and Photo

Click the photo to Listen to the story of these three wedding objects that illustrate Katy’s grandparents’ love story.

model of tractor from Nicki's husband's family farm

Family Farm: Tractor & Photo

Click the photo to hear about Nicki’s husband’s family farm.

Hand Crocheted Blankie

Click the photo to hear Avalyn’s story about her beloved blanket that was crocheted for her when she was born!

Handmade Cat Stuffed Animal

Click the photo to hear Vanessa’s story about her adorable handmade cat stuffed animal that was made from a baby quilt she received from her aunt!

Early 20th Century Glass Bottles from Rice Lake Bottling Works

Click the photo to hear about these glass bottles that Ivo found that are over 100 years old and were crafted in Rice Lake, WI!

Clay Sculpture/Vase

Click the photo to hear about Angie’s heirloom sculpture made by her grandmother.

Arrowheads

Click the photo to learn about the arrowheads that Laura found in Washburn County.

Scarf from India

Click the photo to listen to Chris share the story behind this gorgeous scarf she received as a gift while she was living abroad.

Trego Mercantile Bells

Click to hear Laura share about why the Trego Mercantile doorbells are an object she treasures.

Metal Ball

Click to hear about this mysterious metal ball that Laura found in Washburn County. Can you help us identify this object?

Fossils

Click to hear from Laura share about some of the fossils that she found in the Great Lakes Region.

Star Ornament

Click the photo to hear Nicki’s story behind this star ornament that was made out of her grandmother’s baby quilt.

Beard Competition News Article

Click to hear Emily share about her grandfather who competed in the controversial 1965 Chippewa County Beard Competition.

Interested in Joining Us for the next History Harvest?

We are always looking for folks interested in history, photography, or sharing their objects and stories!

You can contact Angie at director@spoonerlibrary.org.

We are all history in the making…

Community Powered is made possible thanks to a Capacity Building Grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. Other financial support is provided by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the National Endowment for the Humanities, and a generous private donor.