OCONOMOWOC AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND MUSEUM

QUARTERLY MEMBERSHIP MEETING

April 26, 2008

At the Museum

 

 

1.  The meeting was called to order by President Don Wiemer at 10:03 am.  Everyone in attendance was welcomed.

 

2.  Secretary’s Report: It was moved by Shirley Hinds and seconded by Nancy Lins to suspend the reading of the previous quarterly meeting’s minutes.  Motion carried.

 

3.  Treasurer’s Report: Hilton Neal reported that the financial situation of the OAHS&M is “very solid” and in “good shape”.  The following assets (approximations) are:

$ 4,400 checking account

   32,000 savings account

   65,000 CD

   77,000 index fund account

            $110,000 Total Assets

Additionally, there is approximately $6,000 in restricted funds set aside for Terry Kaldusahl’s next DVD that will be completed this Fall as the Annual Campaign’s incentive gift, and funds have also been set aside for a self-guided audio tape system being developed.  The Certificate of Deposit listed above has recently been renewed at a 3.75% rate at First Bank Financial Centre.  Expenses for the current fiscal year will exceed income (anticipated).  The 2007-08 Annual Campaign has raised $12,800 to date.

 

4.  Administrator’s Report:  Nancy Lins reported that volunteers are doing an awesome job in keeping the museum up and going, from cleaning, exhibits, staffing, research and other jobs.  Spring cleaning is continuing to ready the museum for its May 1 opening, and new ideas are welcome for sprucing up the front area of the building. 

 

If anyone has not received an invitation to the annual Volunteer Breakfast, to be held Thursday, May 1, 2008 at 9am at the Lake Terrace Clubhouse, they should let Nancy know.

 

Scharnell’s Deli, located just north of the Oconomowoc Post Office, will be sponsoring “Deli Dollars” to benefit the museum on Friday, May 1, 2008.  Ten percent of all sales will be donated back to the OAHS&M.  Coupons were distributed and attendees were encouraged to participate and spread the word.

 

An attendance sheet was circulated.

 

5.  Committee Reports: 

MEMBERSHIP: Barb Elwood-Goetsch reported that membership is stable with approximately 371 individual memberships plus numerous organizational/business memberships and free memberships.  There are currently 67 delinquent memberships.

 

EDUCATION:  No report.

 

LOCAL HISTORY:  Wiemer reported that a brochure has been developed that contains an  Oconomowoc Timeline from 1837-2008.  It was originated by Fran Durkin but has been completed by the committee and is now at the printer.  Duane Hoffman secured a $500 donation to offset printing expenses.  Colored timeline brochures will be sold for a nominal fee but black photocopies will be free of charge when used by the Education Committee as part of group presentations.

 

EXHIBITS:  Shirley Hinds reported that the Past Wars exhibit, America Calls – Oconomowoc Answers – has been completed.  It contains information from the Civil War through the Vietnam War.  The Oconomowoc Library exhibit is still being worked on.  The Victorian Era display will begin shortly and should open this summer.  Lastly, a Dorothy Smith watercolor exhibit will open during Festival Week in August.

 

NOMINATING COMMITTEE:   Wiemer reported that after 30 years of dedicated service, Chuck Herro has decided to resign from the board.  The crowd thanked him with their applause. There are currently three board positions that need to be filled and candidates with strengths in the following areas are needed: fundraising, marketing, graphic design and an attorney with estate planning expertise. Anyone with recommendations of suitable candidates is asked to provide such names.

 

6.  New Business: Wiemer reported that the Society has recently undergone a name change to more accurately reflect our location and purpose.  It changed from the Oconomowoc Historical Society and Lake Country Museum to Oconomowoc Area Historical Society and Museum.  He also reported that the society’s Collection Policy has been written and is nearing final approval by the board.  This policy will document the steps for accepting, with discretion, all donations and acquisitions that fit the Society’s needs.  He noted that a fundraiser is scheduled for Friday evening, August 8 at the museum that will be called, “A Night at the Museum.”  It is hoped the event’s costs will be totally underwritten and will net $10,000.  Fabulous finger foods, desserts and wine/beer will be provided.  The tickets will sell for $50 a piece.  Live entertainment will be provided.  Details will follow in the society’s next newsletter. Lastly, Wiemer noted that the Society’s branding process is underway which will result in a new logo and related branding formats.

 

7.  Old Business:  No report.

 

8.  Adjournement:  The meeting ended at 10:20 am.  No motions were entertained for closure.  Attendance was approximately 25. 

 

Following the business meeting, Marty Perkins, Curator of Old World Wisconsin, presented a program entitled Vintage Baseball, having to do with baseball’s beginnings in Waukesha County and Oconomowoc.  It ran from 10:20 to 11:07am and was enjoyed by the audience, with many questions asked.  A synopsis of the program is attached.

 

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Margie Krauski, Secretary

VINTAGE BASEBALL PRESENTATION RECAP

Presented by Marty Perkins, Curator of Old World Wisconsin,

April 26, 2008, at the Quarterly Meeting of the

Oconomowoc Area Historical Society and Museum

 

Marty Perkins entertained the group with a wonderful program supplemented by photographs and a vintage uniform replica.  Currently there is a resurgence of vintage baseball in the US (about 300 teams).  Four years ago, Perkins decided to organize an area team, the Waukesha Diamonds, after he uncovered the wonderful early history of baseball in Waukesha County and beyond.  The Waukesha Diamond’s was first formed in 1868, when baseball was a gentleman’s game that became very popular following the Civil War.  Today the team wears exact replica jerseys.  Caps are royal blue pancake style with a white brim and large star emblem on the top.  The shirts are long-sleeved wool in a rugby style with a large “D” on a diamond-shaped detachable logo that buttons onto the front.  Wool pants are held up by a unique two-buckle leather belt .  The uniform is completed with high cotton socks, but the captain’s socks are horizontally striped.  Shoes look much like today’s modern men’s black dress shoes, sans spikes.  The current cost is $175 per replica uniform.  Dry cleaning is required at the end of the season, with manual touch-ups after each wearing.  Bats have small or no knob endings and are reproductions of originals. The ball used is 9” in circumference, brown with large white stitching, and is stuffed with rags, cork and other materials.  Originally, only one ball per game was used which presented problems when a ball was hit long and lost – the game couldn’t resume until the ball was retrieved, sometimes in a quarry next to the Diamonds original 1800’s home at Carroll College.  Initially teams played until a score of 100 was reached (scores were often very high such as 49-24) but scoring was changed to 9 innings post Civil War.

 

Today the new Diamonds team is comprised of a small number of players, like the original team, about 9-10, with many today coming from Mukwonago High School, with new players welcome.  Home field is just that, a field at Old World Wisconsin.  The diamond is 60’ between bases, and bases are stuffed with straw and affixed to the ground.  The Diamonds today primarily play Wisconsin and Illinois teams, although occasionally they play more distant teams at tournaments.  Even today, the team replicates old-time procedures, such as drinking water from a crock using tin cups.  A large chalk board posts the score as the game progresses.  The game follows 1860’s rules, with the home team’s rules followed by the opponent.  Just as before, a barrister serves as today’s version of an umpire, dressed in formal, proper clothing.  The barrister stands about 10’ to the right of home base and only intercedes if teams can’t agree on a call they make themselves.  When appropriate, today’s barrister speaks to the crowd to explain the game’s rules.  Originally, batters informed pitchers as to where they wanted the ball thrown (always underhanded), and compliance was considered the gentlemanly thing to do.  The second baseman stands within 1 step of the base.  Originally no gloves were used and an “out” was called for catches on the fly or after one bounce.  Gloves originated in the 1880’s when underhanded pitching was replaced by overhanded pitches, with catchers using them first and others following suit a few years later. A pitcher pitched the entire game. No lead-offs or stealing was ever permitted (very un-gentlemanly).  The losing team always saluted the winning team.  Players did not start wearing numbers until post 1900.  Visiting teams sometimes traveled by omni buses, or large enclosed wagons, that were usually used to transport folks from train stations to hotels.  They were pulled by teams of horses.  Teams usually had their origins in college towns. Professional baseball morphed from the original style in the late 1870’s for players who demonstrated superb ability.

 

In doing his research, Perkins found that old time local Oconomowoc and Waukesha area newspapers were very valuable resources.  For example, the papers reported that the Oconomowoc Brown Stockings were the Waukesha County Champs in 1877 and the word “Cooney” was used.  Ringers were secured by an opponent in a series of 5 games where Waukesha locals raised $5,000 total, or $1,000per game, as a purse for the winners. Three hundred spectators attended one of those games.  Of local note, the Oconomowoc Businessman’s Ball Club operated from 1908-1910.  The Oconomowoc Land O’ Lakes team was crowned champion in 1923.

 

This summer the Waukesha Diamonds will play 4 home games at Old World Wisconsin.  Cost is free after paying the park entrance fee.  Visit www.owwfriend.org for more information.