News: Neillsville Jail Museum (Nov Meeting - 2012)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Roberts, Erpenbach, Pischer, Klopf, Pierce

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 11/14/2012

The 1897 Clark County Jail Museum (November Meeting - 6 November 2012)

The monthly membership and board of directors meeting of the 1897 Clark County Jail Museum was called to order by president Steve Roberts at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 6, at the Jail Museum.

The September 2012 secretary’s report and the Oct. 31 treasurer’s report were each read and approved. Roberts then gave an update of the prior month’s activities. The Museum was open for tours and visitors Sunday, Oct. 14, as part of Neillsville’s Autumn Fall harvest event. While the Neillsville Area Chamber of Commerce, the local businesses and invited craft vendors had done a wonderful job preparing for the day, the weather certainly did not want to cooperate. Those visitors that did brave the rain and cold had a chance to tour the Museum and visit with the volunteers on duty that day. It was noted there is one private group tour scheduled in later November, and Natalie Erpenbach has agreed to be a guest speaker for a Cub Scout meeting later this month.

The next event scheduled at the Museum will be participation in the upcoming Neillsville “Christmas Tour of Homes,” Friday, Dec. 7, and Saturday, Dec. 8. President Roberts asked for volunteers to help decorate the house and for tour guides to be available during the actual open house dates.

Harvey Pischer updated the group on the status of any building or maintenance issues. He indicated that, while three have not been any further roof leaks this past month, some maintenance will be needed next spring on the third floor attic space. He also requested approval to have the furnace system serviced before the really cold weather arrives.

Natalie Erpenbach, curator and administrator, and President Roberts described the work they have accomplished to date for the “Images of Clark County” book they are working on. The final draft will be sent to the publishers by the first of December, with the finished book available for sale in spring 2013.

An inventory of Museum collection items was recently completed for the dining room, front parlor and the kitchen, and the Listeman display in the music room has been reorganized. The jail Museum Board is greatly appreciative of all the members who took the time to get these projects completed in October. A few items were donated to the Museum this past month, primarily from the Klopf and Pierce families. Many of the documents received are over a hundred years old.

The Museum appreciates receiving documents, artifacts and/or photographs regarding Clark County families. If anyone is interested in donating items to the museum or would like to make a financial contribution, contact the Museum office by calling 715-743-2150 or by e-mailing 1897ccjm@tds.net.  There are many different opportunities for people to volunteer their time and talents. Those who have an hour or two to spare should call and you will be started on a project as soon as you are available. Discover more about the 1897 Clark County Jail Museum by checking out its website (www.1897clarkcountyjailmuseum.com) or the Facebook page (www.facebookcom/189CCJM).

The next monthly membership meeting, which is open to the public, will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4, at the museum, 2156 East Fifth St. Neillsville.