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Happening
at the Crossroads:
June 28,
2010
by Coggin
Heeringa
We
don’t “do politics” at Crossroads at Big Creek, but we have decided to
make an exception on Independence Day. Our guest politician,
Congressman Edward S. Minor, died in 1924, so we don’t think we will
risk our non-profit status.
Every Sunday afternoon, the Door
County Historical Society hosts a special event at The Historical
Village at the Crossroads in an effort “to make history come alive.”
What could be better on the 4th of July than to have a “
visit” from a historical Door County civic leader on Sunday
afternoon between 1:30 and 3:30.
According to Historical Village
Coordinator Joe Knaapen, who will assume the role of the
Congressman, “Minor was born in New York in 1840, but moved with
his family to Wisconsin in the 1850s. The Minors made their way to Fish
Creek, where they engaged in the merchantile business.”
Knappen
explains, “Minor was 19 when the Civil War broke out, and he walked to
Fond du Lac to sign up with the 2nd Wisconsin Cavalry, a volunteer
regiment that saw plenty of action keeping the Confederacy from
spreading beyond Missouri and Arkansas into the West.
“Minor’s
military background – he started out as a private and was promoted to
lieutenant before mustering out under Gen. George A. Custer in 1865 –
helped him build a successful career in the hardware business and as
superintendent of the Sturgeon Bay-Lake Michigan Ship Canal.”
"He
represented Door County in the Wisconsin Assembly and State Senate
before winning his first election to Congress in 1894. A contemporary
of President Theodore Roosevelt, Minor esposed a solid Republican
philosophy and was a leader in public thought and ideas.”"He played a
major role in the harbors and rivers and chaired the Expenditure
Committee of the Department of Interior. Minor also was elected twice
as mayor of Sturgeon Bay and served as the city postmaster from
1911-1915.”
During the summer months, the Historical Village at
the Crossroads and Collins Learning Center will be open 1:30-3:30
Sunday through Thursday. (Rain barrels will be available those
hours.) The Summer Educator, Joan Wilkie will be offering Family
Programs Monday through Thursday during July.
Crossroads at Big
Creek is a donor supported learning preserve offering experience based
activities in science, history and the environment for learners of all
ages. The Collins Learning Center and The Historical Village at The
Crossroads are located at 2041 Michigan in Sturgeon Bay.
Wednesday, June 30, 1:00 Family Program: Birds and Wildflowers
Look and listen for summer birds and discover what’s blooming in meadow. About an hour. Meet at the Collins Learning Center.
Thursday, July 1, 1:00 The 1900 Chapel
Visit
the chapel to hear hymns on the pump organ and stories of the the first
Peioneer church in Door County. Meet at the Chapel in The Crossroads
(in The Historical Village.)
Sunday, July 4, 1;30-3:30 Historical Presentation at The Historical Village
Congressman
Edward S. Minor (as portrayed by Joe Knaapen) will talk about “current
events” such as Congress during the Teddy Roosevelt era and about
building the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal. Costumed members of the
Historical Society will be on hand to give tours of the buildings. Free.
Monday, July 5, 11:00 Family Program: A School Day in 1900
Enjoy
lessons in a country crossroads school where reading, writing and
arithmetic, history, science and music were taught in one room. About
an hour. Meet at the Vignes School in The Historical Village at
The Crossroads. Free
Tuesday, July 6, 11:00 Family Program:Great Lakes Fish
Think
you know all the fish that live in Lake Michigan, right at our shores.
Discover them and learn much more. About an hour. Meet at the Collins
Learning Center. Free
Wednesday, July 7, 11:00 Family Program: “Warren House”
Visit
a log home built in the 1970s. Explore a “keeping room”, a parlor, and
a summer kitchen. About an hour. Meet at the Warren House in The
Historical Village at The Crossroads. Free.
Many of
the Past News articles may be retrieved from this directory,
indexed and named in the following manner: 080101-news.htm
where
the first two numbers are the year, the second two the month and the
last two the date.
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