To celebrate Archives Month in October, the Manitowoc County Historical Society are going to delve into the archives of the Manitowoc County Historical Society to show the kinds of interesting and unique items, stories, and files the Society has in its archives collection.

The Manitowoc County Historical Society, formed in 1906, is one of the oldest historical societies in Wisconsin. It is also one of the earliest societies to become an affiliate of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin. The Manitowoc County Historical Society collects, interprets, preserves, and promotes the history and heritage of Manitowoc County, Wisconsin.

One of the many  “scrapbooks” in the Society’s permanent collection is a crocheted yarn pattern book from between 1895-1898. This book came into our collection in the 1990s. Earlier this year, Society staff set out to learn more about this interesting piece beyond its acquisition information and donor. There is light lettering on the cover of the book that took some time to decipher. What could easily be read was "Francis Creek Manitowoc County Wis. 1897". There was a line above that was assumed could be a name but it was difficult to make out. By creating a digital scan of the cover and playing with brightness and exposure levels, staff were able to make out what says “Mrs. Josie Maresh”. The Historical Society team then searched their archives and other sources to see what could be found on the possible scrapbook creator.
 
Mrs. Josie Maresh was born Josephine Peterson in 1869 and married Fred Maresh of Francis Creek. The crochet book has the years 1895-1897 written in pencil in the margins of some of the pages. Theoretically, she could have started this book while still living with her in-laws in the early years of her marriage. It was a wonderful discovery when Society staff found Fred and Josie’s wedding pictures in their archives. She and Fred were married in her sister’s home on October 9, 1890. They welcomed a son, Lester, two years later.
 
Museums often rotate items that are on display for condition and preservation. Until earlier this year, there was an example of a Civil War officers uniform on display in our Flag of Company A exhibit. The items displayed were an overcoat and capelet. As staff removed the uniform, it was learned that the clothing belonged with a vest and jacket that were also in the Society’s clothing collection. These four pieces, after making references to their catalog numbers within our database, were donated together in the 1940s. The vest, jacket, overcoat and capelet were worn by Captain George Waldo, Manitowoc County’s first Civil War casualty. These pieces were Captain Waldo’s first uniform, as Civil War uniforms at the time Waldo enlisted were not provided by the government. Folks can hear more about Waldo’s story and his uniform at the Society’s upcoming Hungry For History series program, Behind the Seams-Military Edition, on November 18 at 11 am. Advanced registration is required for this program.

While those are just two examples of items in the Society’s collection, over the past 120 years the organization has acquired 10,000 3-D artifacts, 16,000 document records, and 25,000 photographs that document Manitowoc County history. In addition to compiled local history books and artifacts, the archives includes many materials that may help in your family history search. These materials include: Manitowoc County plat books for family owned land, Manitowoc County immigration dates and declarations from 1848 to 1929, Manitowoc County cemetery lists, Manitowoc County Civil War veterans biographies, compiled village and town histories, various church records, city and county directories beginning in 1864, various one-room school materials, attendance records, and yearbooks. A collection of early Manitowoc newspapers is also available for limited examination and referencing. There are also oral histories have also been collected and are available in various formats on a wide-range of subjects.

Those that are interested in having research compiled should go to the Society’s website at https://www.manitowoccountyhistory.org/research and fill out a request form. A research request must be made prior to making an appointment. After volunteer archivists receive the request and browse files for related materials, the Society will be in contact to set up an in-person research viewing appointment or send you digital copies of materials found.
 
If you have an item you would like to donate to the Society’s archives, you can fill out our online form on the website https://www.manitowoccountyhistory.org/donatetoarchives. As the organization plans for the future, prudent development of the artifact collection is especially important. Decisions are based on your object’s history and significance to the history of the Manitowoc County region, and its relationship to artifacts already in our collection. The Manitowoc County Historical Society accepts donations of original materials documenting the history of our community. Items cannot be dropped off at the museum without prior approval by museum and archives staff.

The Historical Society is also in need of volunteers to assist with the archives. Are you interested in history and data collection? Do you enjoy doing research and answering peoples questions? You can find our volunteer form online at https://www.manitowoccountyhistory.org/volunteers or you can email GuestServices@manitowowccountyhistory.org.



About the Manitowoc County Historical Society Museum and Pinecrest Village
Nestled in the scenic rolling Ice Age Kettle Moraine countryside of Eastern Wisconsin, the Manitowoc County Historical Society is a museum of living history. This 60-acre interpretive museum of local history features a Welcome Center with local history exhibits and research services and the outdoor Pinecrest Historical Village - a collection of over 25 historic buildings with period furnishings from Manitowoc County's early settlers.

Pinecrest Historical Village began in 1970 with a land donation from the Hugo and Eleanor Vetting family.  The Village has grown to represent a reproduction of a small Wisconsin community during the early 1900s. The buildings form the commercial, social, and political core of a town and they represent several architectural styles of Wisconsin's history. The furnishings, items, and tools in the various buildings used by the Pinecrest Village interpreters are either original pieces or carefully researched reproductions.

For more information on the Manitowoc County Historical Society, contact the museum at (920) 684-4445 or ManitowocCountyHistory.org.