In honor of syttende mai (Norwegian Constitution Day), our collection item of the week is this rosemåled plate painted by Per Lysne. Lysne was born in Norway where his father taught him to rosemål. In 1907 Lysne came to the United states with his wife. He was employed as a wagon painter in Stoughton, Wisconsin. When business slowed during the Depression he began to rosemål again. The smorgasbord plate became his signature piece. By the early 1940's, his work was in such demand, visitors to his back yard studio were told they would have to wait up to a year for a rosemåled plate. The revival of rosemåling in the Norwegian-American community is often credited to Per Lysne. To learn more about Per Lysne, visit the Stoughton Historical Society website: http://www.stoughtonhistoricalsociety.org/Photo_Per_Lysne.htm
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Its that time of year, graduation in Story City is almost here. This photo is one of the oldest Story City High School graduation photos we have in our collection. This is Bertha (Olson) Bartlett's high school graduation photo. Bertha was the librarian in Story City from 1927 until 1964. Bertha often told her daughter, Frances Bartlett Kinne, that the class was upset when a man joined the class in the 12th grade. Story City High School class of 1905 Back row left to right: Inger Grotness, Carrie Larson, Bertha (Olson) Bartlett, Alonzo Donhowe, Edith Ericson, Martha Gravdahl Front row left to right: Ellen Jorgenson, ___, Hagen (teacher), Neah Paulsen The historical society recently received this plan drawing of Lake Comar from Katherine Munsen. Lake Comar is a former recreation area once located just 1.5 miles south of Story City. It offered a park, outdoor auditorium, swimming and boating area, golf course, and many special events that attracted area residents up to the late 1930s. This plan was drawn up in 1926 when Fred Corneliussen, the owner of Lake Comar, was adding the 9 hole golf course on the right hand side of the plan. Katherine Munsen co-wrote a book entitled "Lake Comar" with Steve Corneliussen. Katherine and Steve spent much of their youth at Lake Comar. Katherine Munsen and Celia Corneliussen 1926. Tower with high diving board in background. The boating lake was a popular attraction at Lake Comar. Photos courtesy of Katherine Munsen.
This metal spatula from Charlson's Clothes Shop was recently donated by the Hook & Eye Questers. As you can see from the photos below, one side of the handle has "Charlson's Clothes Shop, Story City, Iowa". The other side has "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year". Items like these were often given to customers to show appreciation for their business. Charlson's Clothes Shop was a long-standing business in the Story City community. The Charlson Building is located on the southwest corner of Broad St and Pennsylvania Ave. Today the building houses Edward Jones, InVintg, and the Story City Greater Chamber Connection. If you have Story City memorabilia that you would like to donate to the Historical Society, please contact us. The Historical Society recently received this beautiful quilt from Dr. Frances Bartlett Kinne. It was made for Fran by her mother Bertha Bartlett and hand quilted by the ladies at Grace Church here in Story City. Bertha Bartlett (6/14/1888-8/27/1988) was appointed librarian in Story City in 1927 and held that position until 1964. She was the only person to hold the distinction of being a student, alumni, teacher, school secretary, board secretary, and president of the school board - all within the Story City Public School System. Our current library, the Bertha Bartlett Public Library, was named in honor of Bertha. It was built in 1994 and is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. As a way to share more of our collection, we will be posting a new collection item each week. Since its spring and baseball season has begun, our first collection item of the week is a 1993 Conlon Collection reproduction Hank Severeid St. Louis Browns baseball card. Hank Severeid was born in Story City in 1891. He played baseball locally for many years and was signed by the Cincinnati Reds in 1911. Hank played for 4 major league baseball teams throughout his career, including the Reds, St. Louis Browns, Washington Senators, and the New York Yankees. He played in 2 back to back World Series, one in 1925 with the Senators and the second in 1926 with the Yankees. Hank caught all 7 games of the 1926 World Series. Some notable teammates were Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. Severeid spent over a quarter century as a scout, for the Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox, from 1944 until his 1968 passing, in San Antonio, Texas, at the age of 77. |
AuthorKate Feil Archives
February 2023
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