photo credit: Chrissy Widmayer

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 3rd, 2022 and we are planning another for April 2023.

We invite you to join us in the spring 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 is hosted by the Spooner Memorial Library & Wisconsin Humanities Community Powered Initiative in partnership with Wisconsin 101 and Badger Talks.

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 Emily at emily.riewestahl@wisconsinhumanities.org to get involved!

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.

Spooner Memorial Library
421 High Street
Spooner, WI 54801
Phone: 715.635.2792
Fax: 715.635.2147