The Iron County Wisconsin Historical Society Museum will be having our Open House on Friday, July 24 from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
This year, we will be having two special presentations during our open house this year. They are as follows:
Frederick Douglass’ 1857 Dred Scott Decision Address Presented by Steven Cole at 11 a.m. & 1 p.m.
Steven Cole has portrayed Frederick Douglass, the famed abolitionist orator for many years. Mr. Cole is a living history presenter who uses period music, songs and Frederick Douglass’ eloquent speeches to convey a message of equal rights, patriotism and justice. Steven Cole is a retired tradesman who moved to this area 12 years ago. He is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution and a passionate Historian! He will be delivering an address Frederick Douglass gave in 1857 following the Dred Scott Decision.
Bill Jamerson Presents: Dollar-A-Day Boys: A Musical Tribute to the Civilian Conservation Corps at Noon
Ironwood based singer/storyteller Bill Jamerson will present a 50 minute long program about the Civilian Conservation Corps. The Civilian Conservation Corps (also known as the CCC) was a federal works program created in the heart of The Great Depression. From 1933 to 1941, over 92,000 young men served in Wisconsin in over two hundred camps. The camps were run by the army but there were no military drills since the enrollees were civilians. The 17–25-year-olds were paid $1 a day with $25 sent home to their families each month. Dressed in uniform, Jamerson tells stories, reads excerpts from his book, shows a clip from his PBS film and sings original songs with his guitar. It’s a nostalgic, fun-filled program with much laughter and many heartfelt stories. He has performed at CCC reunions around the country and at dozens of state and national parks. The program is as entertaining as it is important; as honest as it is fun. It’s about people both ordinary and extraordinary; with stories of strength, wit and charm.
Besides the live presentations, you are invited to view and vote for the entries in the 2nd Emma Sackett Memorial Photo Showcase. Come observe our weavers in action as they make rag rugs on our looms (we have quite a few available for purchase in the weaving room and in the main floor hallway), check out our new addition to our model train area, view the class photos hung in the hallway on the second floor, browse through our collection of yearbooks (we do have some extra copies for sale in our research room) and scrapbooks, do some family research or look up information on our area’s rich past with our dedicated volunteers, and more!
Photo: Pictured are presenters Steven Cole and Bill Jamerson who will be presenting during the open house on Friday. Source: The Iron County Museum.
