Menomonee Falls Historical Society
Newsletter
September 2013
110 years and counting…
1930’s Silver Tea- December 8
The end of August marked the 110th
Anniversary of Harley Davidson motorcycles.
With the weekend festivities at full speed, it is
hard to believe that our museum has a
connection to that same motorcycle. In 1942, what
was the Miller property was sold to Emma Davidson.
Emma Davidson was the wife of young entrepreneur
Walter Davidson. Walter, his brothers and friend
William Harley had developed a motorcycle that is
world famous 110 years later. As the company grew,
Emma traveled around the world collecting antiques
wherever she went.
After Walter’s death, Emma fell
in love with and purchased the Miller home and land.
She used this house as her summer home and as a
getaway from the city and into the country. She
furnished her country home with the antiques she
collected on her travels. In 1965, Emma Davidson
sold the home and property to the Village of
Menomonee Falls under the agreement that it would
become a public museum. She donated her entire
collection of antiques to the museum.
Emma passed away in 196--.She would be happy
to know that her museum has become a village of 9
buildings and is still being enjoyed by all generations!
So, Here’s the lowdown
Looking for a keen time?
Get your stems moving
Leave your cave
Hop in your Duesenberg
And come out to the Silver Tea.
Even if you’re beat- no problem , it’s free
Although a little kale will be appreciated
For the upkeep of this aces museum
So if all you cats
Want a ring-a-ding-ding
Conga or swing on down, December 8
It’s just gonna be, murder!
We hope to see everyone at this year’s silver
Tea.
Thank You
We would like to say a huge “Thank you” to
Doug Schmidt for his time and dedication to
Old Falls Village. Doug will be leaving us by
the years end for Colorado where he will be
closer to his family. Doug has had a strong
connection to the bar, where he is very
knowledgeable. He enjoys giving tours in the
barn, especially to the school groups at In
Halloween Family Fun Nights
Touch with History. Doug has spent countless
hours in the barn cleaning and restoring the
October 25 and 26 - 6 to 9 pm
tools and researching their markings to gain
Come join us for an evening of fun and activities.
more information to share with others.
We will have Trick or Treating at each house, Puppet
Doug has also worked with the inventory and
Story Theater will be back again this year , Hayrides,
a story teller, marshmallow roasting, cookies and juice past perfect committee. He has used his
knowledge and skills to point us in the right
and much more. This year’s Admission Cost is $4 per
direction with this project. We all wish you the
person – each child gets a pumpkin.
Donations for Halloween Family Fun Nights are greatly very best Doug! You will be missed!
appreciated. We are in need of the following: Apple
Juice, Candy for trick or treating, & cookies.
Quarterly Meeting October 8th
Cash donations greatly appreciated as well. Please bring Our next meeting will be October 8th
your donations to the Quarterly meeting on October 8 th. beginning at 6:00, the presentation will begin
If you are able to volunteer, please contact Marilyn at
at 6:30. We will serve refreshments and
262-251-7682.
desserts. We welcome our speaker
Chad Lewis. He will share with us the “Strange
Photography Policy
Past of WI”. This presentation explores
We have developed a photography policy for
hundreds of newspaper accounts of the strange,
photographers who use OFV Museum as a background
for their photographs. Photographers will now be asked bizarre, and unusual from 1870-1910. To see
to become a Photography member and will be required more, go to his website at
www.unexplainedresearch.com. Please RSVP
to pay a yearly fee to use OFV Museum for
Photography. If you are in need of a membership form, by calling Katrina at 414-702-5572 on or
please see our website for the Photography
before October 6th.
membership. Photographers are also asked to call
ahead to verify park availability.
UPCOMING
EVENTS
2013
September 20 - 22
Artist Ride Photoshoot
October 8
Quarterly Meeting TBA
October 25-26
Halloween Family Fun Night
6–9pm
December 8
Silver Tea
2014
January 26
Annual Meeting
May 30
In Touch with History
May 31 & June 1
Old Falls Village Days
July 19-20
War Encampment
Menomonee Falls Historical Society
Newsletter
P.O. Box 91 Menomonee Falls, WI 53052
www.oldfallsvillage.com
Our interest in Menomonee Falls
2013 Executive Board
Warren Granke- President
Katrina Ludin- Vice President
Jeff Steliga- Treasurer
Christine Schultz- Secretary
Vikki Schmidt- Past President
Board Members
Bob Cowan
Nancy Greifenhagen
Marilyn Schneider
Gene Schneider
Diane Harley
Carol Friese- Member at Large
Ken Pruess
Jack Tindall
Jill Schmidt
Jim Jeskewitz
Caretaker
At the Menomonee Falls Historical Society
we help manage and maintain the homes at
Old Falls Village Museum. We also preserve
history, especially when it comes to our own
community. We take in any acquisitions that
we feel are important to the preservation of
history. We collect anything that is 50 to 60 years
and older, with some exceptions. The Major
exception being any item relating directly to our
own Menomonee Falls history.
As a society, we have a great interest in
Menomonee Falls and the history surrounding
our community. Please contact us if you have any
information about Menomonee Falls history,
questions or would like to know more about the
Menomonee Falls Historical Society.
We can be reached at:
262-250-3901
mfhistory@yahoo.com
www.oldfallsvillage.com
and like us on Facebook!
Artist Ride Photoshoot Sept 20-22
This newsletter is published quarterly for the members of the
Menomonee Falls Historical Society.
Old Falls Village hosted their 3rd annual Artist Ride
Photoshoot on September 20-22. Artists and
Photographers came to photograph scenes posed by
reenactor models in historical themes such as Native
American Indians, mountain men, prairie settlers, early
1900s city folk, and old west cowboys. This is a unique
opportunity to record living history to later paint, sculpt
or even draw. If you have not had a chance to
experience this fantastic event, please mark your
calendars for September 19 to 21, 2014. You can also
go to the website at www.artistridewi.com to see more!
Thank you Nancy for all your hard work!