The summer of 2024 is a big one for EHF.
In the spring of 1949, Helen Sohns approached Warren Davis to help save Ephraim’s one-room school house which had served the residents since 1880. Warren then secured pledges from the community to purchase the building, and founded a non-profit corporation that we now know as the Ephraim Historical Foundation. That was the beginning.
75 years later we are celebrating the contributions that so many individuals have made to preserve the history of this special place. The story of Ephraim is well illustrated by the hard work and vision of those who came before us. Their stories are endlessly fascinating, informative, and inspiring. Let them be our guiding lights when determining our own legacies.
This will be my last summer serving as president of the board. Rob Davis will be replacing me. He excels at nonprofit work and has deep roots in Ephraim. He and Cody have been invaluable in their support of me.
Cheers!
Julie Watkins, Board PresidentLegacy the word is at the forefront of my mind as we approach the beginning of the Ephraim Historical Foundation’s 75th Anniversary. What was the vision of the 12 founding members of the Ephraim Foundation regarding their legacy when they established a non-profit in 1949? And what legacy will our current efforts leave behind? This significant moment in our organization’s history offers us a chance to reflect on the past, concentrate on the present, and strategize for the future.
The legacy of countless individuals can be seen in every aspect of the work we do. Each historic property under the stewardship of the EHF has a unique story tied to it. In the past 75 years community members just like you and me have dedicated time, expertise, and resources to saving historic properties in Ephraim. Moreover, the research and interpretation of those properties was a result of the tireless efforts of volunteers and staff who sought to ensure that the stories of Ephraim would be preserved for perpetuity.
Legacy was surely on the minds of those who helped establish the Heritage Fund endowment in 1992. Through the generosity of private donations, the endowment was created to support the mission of the EHF and perpetuate its efforts well into the future. The foresight of that goal has served the organization well, as the EHF budget is supported annually by drawing from the endowment fund.
In short, the Ephraim Historical Foundation stands on the shoulders of those who, through their own individual contributions, created the organization we see today.
The question we now ask is:
How do we build on the legacy that was handed to us, and create a legacy of our own?
I encourage you to keep the word legacy in your mind this year. How can you make your mark on the Ephraim Historical Foundation? Even the smallest contribution can have a lasting impact on the organization. Whether it’s volunteering an hour of your time for a program or considering us in your estate planning, none of our work would be possible without all of you. Here is to the legacy we are building together.
Cody Schreck, Executive Director
by Cody Schreck
A75th Anniversary is worthy of recognition, and we have been incorporating the commemoration into many facets of our work at the Ephraim Historical Foundation. From retrospective articles, to fundraising campaigns, special programs, and more, we are excited to share in the celebration of this great organization with all of you.
Starting in January of this year, we have been releasing stories focused on important milestones from the past 75 years of the EHF’s history through our members-only email newsletter, History Hub. To date, we have recounted how the Pioneer Schoolhouse was saved from demolition, facilitating the creation of the Ephraim Foundation; how the Davis family arrived in Ephraim and became a generational advocate for preservation; how the Village and EHF came together for the preservation of Ephraim’s beloved Anderson Dock; and how community preservation efforts led to the creation of the Anderson Store museum. Stay tuned for more
articles each month, and visit the blog on our website to read them in full!
We aren’t the only ones who want to share the story of the Ephraim Historical Foundation’s seven-and-a-half decades of preservation. The Door County Pulse has been working on a feature article for their Summer 2024 edition of Door County Living magazine, focused on the origins of our organization, its major accomplishments over the years, and its current operations. Keep an eye out for the magazine’s release so you can read the story for yourself.
The 75th Anniversary is also an opportunity for us to support the longterm sustainment of the organization. This is the motivation behind our 75day, $75,000 campaign to benefit the Heritage Fund. Consider supporting the EHF through this campaign. Gifts of any size will be greatly appreciated. A generous group of supporters have already committed $44,500 cumulatively towards this overall goal. With your support, we can close the gap to $75,000 by July 20 and perpetuate the EHF mission well into the future!
Another great opportunity to learn more about the seven-and-a-half decades of EHF accomplishments and stories is by
attending our History Speaks evening talk at Ephraim Village Hall on July 16. The program will feature in-depth looks at some of the stories that brought the EHF to where it is today. More importantly, the program will feature a panel of guests with connections to the organization’s founding who will be sharing their stories. The program will be free to the public, and we hope to see you there!
The Annual Meeting of Members this year will also feature commemorations of the 75th. Join us on Saturday, July 20, at 9 AM, at Ephraim Village Hall for a presentation highlighting the latest developments within our organization. We’ll be joined by esteemed guests from the local historical community and beyond. Coffee and refreshments will be served. Keep an eye out for the invitation in your mailboxes!
Another invitation you will receive will be for our Summer Social Fundraiser on July 20 at 6:00PM at the Anderson Barn. The event will feature a pig roast, silent auction, vintage records, socializing, and much more! You won’t want to miss the EHF’s 75th Anniversary party!
The Heritage Fund supports the EHF. Join us in raising $75,000 for the Hertiage Fund in honor of our 75th Anniversary! History Speaks: 75th Anniversary Town Hall
We are thrilled to announce that longtime member, docent, and supporter of the EHF, Karen Ekberg, has been awarded the 2024 Country School Association of America’s (CSAA) Service Award. The award recognizes individuals across the country who have demonstrated extraordinary efforts in the preservation, restoration, and programming of historic school houses.
This recognition of Karen’s dedication is very timely as the EHF celebrates its 75th Anniversary. The Pioneer Schoolhouse was the structure that prompted the creation of the EHF in 1949 by caring community members, including former schoolhouse teacher and Karen’s mother, Helen Sohns.
Karen started as a student in the schoolhouse, and now for many years has served as a docent, carrying on her mother’s legacy by delivering multigenerational programming and giving visitors one-of-a-kind insight into the
daily life of the historic building. Her award will hang next to her mother’s portrait at the Pioneer Schoolhouse.
Karen has graciously given the stipend that the CSAA awarded her to the EHF, to be used to further preserve the building and Helen’s legacy.
Karen’s dedication to Ephraim and the Pioneer Schoolhouse will be recognized at the CSAA Conference in Toledo, Ohio, in June. Join us in celebrating Karen Ekberg and this well-deserved award!
75th Events
Ephraim Village Hall
July 16 at 6 pm
Annual Meeting of Members Ephraim Village Hall July 20 at 9 am
Social Fundraiser
Ephraim Historical Foundation
July 20 from 6 - 9 pm
We’re excited to see everyone at these events to help us celebrate our 75th!
big success!
The grounds are ready for summer!
Weare excited to announce the Ephraim Historical Foundation’s 2024 feature exhibit, Through Their Lens. The exhibit features photographs from three separate negative collections in the Ephraim Historical Foundation Archives: the Watson/Wolf Family Photographic Collection, the Anderson Family Negative Collection, and the Frieda M. Brenner Photographic Collection. These collections offer a variety of perspectives of Ephraim spanning the late 1800s to 1970, highlighting both local and visitor experiences throughout Ephraim’s history. The three featured collections in Through Their Lens focus on three particular photographers: Frank Gordon Watson, Frieda M. Brenner, and Frank Anderson.
Photography was only in its teenage years when the Village of Ephraim was founded in 1853. The first photographic processes were made commercially viable by 1839–just 14 years prior. However, easily accessible cameras would not become commonplace until later in the 20th century. The evolution of the camera came in tandem with the evolution of tourism in Ephraim, and through that lens we see two points of view. Early residents of Ephraim were predominantly first-generation immigrants from Scandinavia and Germany. They were working-class people whose lives focused on family, community, and work. Survival was very much the mindset in the early years, and as a result, photographs
that document early life in Ephraim, between the Village’s founding in 1853 and the late 1800s, are scarce .
As steamships began to call port in Ephraim in the late 1800s, they brought with them wealthier tourists from cities like Milwaukee and Chicago. These tourists could afford the latest portable cameras and began documenting their trips, not only making pictures of the beautiful scenery Ephraim had to offer, but also of their own families, hosts, and events. Frank Gordon Watson was one of these individuals. An insurance agent from Chicago, you might recall his story from the Fall 2023 EHF Newsletter. The Watson/ Wolf Family Photographic Collection boasts a collection of glass plate negatives which depict a view of Ephraim in its fledgling tourism era. Frank Gordon Watson shows us an Ephraim before paved roads, when cattle were watered in Eagle Harbor, and steamships made their regularly scheduled stops up and down the Door peninsula in the early 1900s.
Profiting from this new industry, the Anderson Family was still fresh from the passing of the head of the family, Aslag, in 1892. As Aslag’s children took
Frank Gordon Watson - Self portrait, Eagle Harbor, c. 1911over operations of the family dock, warehouse, and general store, each child found a niche in the business. Such was the case for Frank Anderson, second-youngest son of Aslag Anderson.
Helen Timmons describes Frank in her memoirs...
“Frank said that he was taken up to the farm in his baby buggy and had been there ever since. It may not have been his choice to become a farmer, but he accepted this responsibility just as other members of the family fulfilled what was expected of them.”
Her recollection of her “Norwegian bachelor Uncle” aligns with the view presented to us by his photography. Frank took a number of photographs of his work on the farm and the family and friends who surrounded him. He expressed a number of his interests through pictures from his pride in raising trotting horses to his love of automobiles. Many of Frank’s photographs featured in the exhibit date from the 1920s, when he was in his 40s.
Another familiar story: the final featured photographer is Frieda M. Brenner. She was discussed in the Fall 2023 EHF Newsletter along with her partner Mayble Holland. The pair, who were summer residents of Ephraim starting in 1939, invested their time in community, arts, and education in Ephraim. In the early stages of the Peninsula Arts Association’s development, Holland assumed an initial role as an arts educator for children. Brenner’s first portrait studio, opened in 1937 in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, served mostly families and children of the area. Brenner worked for nearly two decades at
this location, photographing two generations of Wauwatosa residents. As the pair aged and parents and family passed, they looked to Ephraim as a second home, first coming to the village in 1939 and eventually the pair purchasing property in 1945. In 1960, Brenner closed the studio in Wauwatosa and moved operations to Ephraim after moving to a new property on North Orchard Road. From capturing portraits of Ephraim’s Fyr Bal Chieftains since the event’s inception in 1965 until she stopped photographing in the early 1970s, to documenting the western landscape in the 1940s, Brenner showcased her professionalism in a predominantly male-dominated field during a pivotal period in the evolution of photography beginning in the 1930s.
Most importantly, Through Their Lens has served as a means for the EHF to better organize, digitize, and document our photographic collections . These three collections alone span over 1,000 separate negatives which have been rehoused and cataloged. We are excited to share these photographs and stories with you, and for you to share with us. Keep an eye out for announcements of programs associated with this exhibit, and expect an invitation to the member’s opening in the coming weeks!
There are many ways you can help...
The EHF relies on the generosity of its supporters to preserve Ephraim’s beloved history. There are many ways to donate including: designated and undesignated contributions, endowment funds, and planned giving. Please consider making a tax-deductible gift today.
Volunteers are a huge part of the general operations of the museum buildings and programs. They help ensure that we can share our precious history and artifacts with everyone! Visit our website or call to find out more!
Become a memberyour time
Join over 340 family and business members, and enjoy the best of everything. Not only do you get awesome benefits, but your membership also helps offset our operational expenses.
Child’s Play’s theme this year is “Reading Adventures Begin in Door County.”
Join the fun Thursdays, July 11 - August 1 10 - 11:15 am
Schoolhouse Lessons will continue Fridays in July 11 - 11:45 am
This exhibit opens to the public Tuesday, June 4, and runs for a month.
Ephraim Historical Foundation, in partnership with Northern Door Pride, is excited to announce the EHF’s Anderson Barn Museum will be hosting the Wisconsin Historical Society’s traveling exhibit, We Will Always Be Here: Wisconsin’s LGBTQ+ Historymakers, in the month of June to celebrate Pride Month. This exhibit explores the stories of Wisconsin’s LGBTQ+ historymakers through profiles of eight individuals across a wide spectrum of identities who have helped to empower others and to make a positive change in the world.
Join us for an opening reception on Tuesday, June 4, from 6-8 PM, at the Anderson Barn Museum, where we will be serving light refreshments and food, offering brief remarks, and celebrating the diversity which makes Door County the community it is. Learn more about this exhibit at wihist.org/ LGBTQexhibit.
This oil painting, entitled At Rest, was painted by longtime Ephraim resident and artist Martha Hachmeister-Cherry. It was donated recently to the EHF by Jackie Kahkonen, who was gifted the piece by the late Dr. Jon Kordon, DDS, for whom she worked for as a dental hygienist. Dr. Kordon was 2002 Fyr Bal Chieftain and a student in Ephraim’s Pioneer Schoolhouse in the 1940s. Jackie recalls, “Jon hung the painting in my operatory and I liked the picture so much so I would tell every patient
I had that the boats were The Hope and The Jen. There were local ‘kids’ that came in and knew the boats.” The piece, according to a tag attached to the backing, was shown at the 15th Juried Annual show at the Hardy Gallery in 1990. It will round out an already sizable collection of the art of Martha Hachmeister-Cherry found at the Ephraim Historical Foundation. Jackie made this donation in memory of Dr. Jon Kordon, DDS.
Thank you again to those who have donated items to the collection, including Jackie Kahkonen!
We are excited to announce that History Speaks will be returning as an evening lecture series for the 2024 Season! Join us for four talks, one a month from June to September, where we will be inviting speakers to present historical topics related to Ephraim, Door County, and Wisconsin at large. While the schedule is still being finalized, we are happy to say that all events will be hosted in the historic Ephraim Village Hall. We look forward to announcing the full season schedule in the coming weeks!
Special Event: Sun Prints and Pressed Flowers: Some History of Documenting Nature in Ephraim
Join Curator Jeff O’Keeffe on Friday, August 2, from 12-2 PM at the Anderson Barn Museum for a hands-on historical talk and workshop. The talk will discuss the practice of flower pressing in Victorian-era Ephraim and the early 18th century photographic process of sun-printing, also known as cyanotype or blueprinting. Learn more and register on our website!
The EHF has a variety of tours available this summer! Check the calendar on page 12 or head to our website!
▪ History Tram Tours ▪ Roots of Our Village Walking Tours ▪ Binkhaven House Tours ▪ Eagle Harbor Kayak Tours ▪
Signs at our museum buildings are getting a facelift!
We are very happy to be starting our 75th year with new signs!
A BIG thank you to Collin Kruger at Bay & Lake Creative Workshop for helping us with this process. It will be great to have new signage to better represent our museum buildings!
Special thanks to ALL our EHF members!
Your annual membership dues helped fund this project.
In late 2023, a gift from the Rankin family allowed the Ephraim Historical Foundation to begin a restoration project of the Groenfeldt Stable on the Iverson House property. The stable is dated to circa 1867 when the Groenfeldt family lived on the property, and was constructed as an outbuilding to house the family’s animals. Research by Laib Restoration has shown that portions of the building likely predate 1867, and that the structure itself is a case study for how the property has changed over the years.
Despite the property being home to the oldest frame home in Door County, there has been a very short list of owners, whose presence can be seen in the Groenfeldt Stable’s construction. Four rough-cut log walls inside the structure indicate that the first iteration of the building may have been a storehouse built around the same time as the Iverson House in 1853. In 1867, the Groenfeldts raised the gable and redid the exterior creating a stable to replace the original one located at the ground level of the Iverson House. Finally, in the early 1900s, the
Field family added a carport to the south wing of the building. No major alterations were made during the Field family’s ownership of the property, and the Groenfeldt Stable has been in its current state since the EHF purchased the property from them just over 20 years ago.
Today, the building stands as a testament to Ephraim’s changing history, but restoration work is needed to protect it for the future. An excavation around the foundation of the structure will be done to
assess the condition of the original dry-stacking. Once this is complete, and the dry-stacking is repaired as needed, Matt Laib of Laib Restoration will begin work on restoring the original cedar boards and wood construction. Decisions on the future use of the structure are yet to be made, with a goal of increasing the interpretation there. We sincerely thank the Rankin family for their support of this important project, and look forward to sharing updates on the restoration as it unfolds.
This spring, the Ephraim Historical Foundation partnered with the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Museum Studies Program to begin the first stage of a new Strategic Plan for the organization. Graduate students have already begun gathering data from around the community and within the organization to build a report that will be presented to the Board of Directors and Long Range Planning Committee this summer.
On April 7, the UW-Milwaukee graduate students were led on a tour of the Ephraim Historical Foundation properties by Executive Director Cody Schreck. The students were able to see all the historic buildings owned by the EHF, as well as all the behindthe-scenes spaces to help them formulate a better understanding of the organization.
Schreck is a graduate of the UWMilwaukee Museum Studies Program and is excited for this opportunity to not only receive valuable strategic planning assistance from a respected program in the field, but also to provide emerging museum professionals with valuable strategic planning experience.
Executive Director Cody Schreck, Volunteer and Membership Coordinator Samantha Gray, and Curator Jeff O’Keeffe were at the State Capitol in Madison earlier this month speaking with local legislators for the Wisconsin Historical Society’s 7th Annual History Advocacy Day! They discussed the importance of our state and local history organizations, and thanked them for the State’s continued support. As a proud affiliate of the WHS, the EHF directly benefits from the resources made available by the WHS!
Thank you for supporting local history!
May 23
EHF Museum Buildings Open for season
June 4 6 - 7 pm We Have Always Been Here Exhibit Reception Anderson Barn Museum
June 6 1 - 2 pm
June 13 1 - 2 pm
June 13 5 - 7 pm
Roots of Our Village: Goodletson Cabin and Bethany Lutheran Church Bethany Lutheran Church
Roots of Our Village: Iverson House and Ephraim Moravian Church
Ephraim Moravian Church
Members-only Exhibit Reception: Through Their Lens Anderson Barn Museum
June 14 5 - 7 pm Through Their Lens Exhibit Reception Anderson Barn Museum
June 15 All Day Fyr Bal
June 17-21
June 18 6 - 7 pm
June 20 1 - 2 pm
Ephraim Harbor Front
Heritage Alliance of Door CountyDoor County History Days Countywide
History Speaks
Ephraim Village Hall
Curator’s Tour: Through Their Lens Anderson Barn Museum
June 29 10 - 11 am Binkhaven House Tour Binkhaven
June 29 1 - 2 pm Binkhaven House Tour Binkhaven
July 4
EHF Museum Buildings Closed for Fourth of July
July 5 11 - 11:45 am Schoolhouse Lessons
July 11 10 - 11:15 am
July 11 1 - 2 pm
Schoolhouse Museum
Child’s Play: Adventures in Sailing Anderson Dock
Roots of Our Village: Iverson House and Ephraim Moravian Church
Ephraim Moravian Church
July 12 11 - 11:45 am Schoolhouse Lessons Pioneer Schoolhouse Museum
June 13 1 - 2 pm
July 16 6 - 7 pm
Curator’s Tour: Through Their Lens Anderson Barn Museum
History Speaks: 75th Anniversary Town Hall
Ephraim Village Hall
Date Time
July 17 10 - 11 am
July 18 10 - 11:15 am
July 17 1 - 2 pm
Binkhaven House Tour Binkhaven
Child’s Play: Adventures in Nature
Pioneer Schoolhouse Museum
Binkhaven House Tour Binkhaven
July 19 11 - 11:45 am Schoolhouse Lessons
July 20 9 - 10 am Annual Meeting of Members
July 20 6 - 9 pm EHF Summer Social: 75th Anniversary
July 23-29
July 24 11 am - 3 pm
Pioneer Schoolhouse Museum
Ephraim Village Hall
Ephraim Historical Foundation
Door County Plein Air Festival Countywide
Booking Signing with author Sue Jarosh Anderson Store Museum
July 25 10 - 11:15 am Child’s Play: Document Your Adventures
Ephraim Historical Foundation
July 25 7 - 8 pm Harmony on the Harbor: Ukulele Sing-a-long Harborside Park
July 26 11 - 11:45 am Schoolhouse Lessons
August 1 10 - 11:15 am
August 1 1 - 2 pm
Child’s Play: Adventures with Animals
Pioneer Schoolhouse Museum
Ephraim Historical Foundation
Roots of Our Village: Goodletson Cabin and Bethany Lutheran Church Bethany Lutheran Church
August 2 12 - 2 pm Sun Prints and Pressed Flowers: Some History of Documenting Nature in Ephraim Anderson Barn Museum
August 6 4 - 6 pm Volunteer Appreciation Iverson House Museum
August 8 1 - 2 pm
August 9 10 - 11 am
August 9 1 - 2 pm
August 9 4 - 6 pm
Roots of Our Village: Iverson House and Ephraim Moravian Church Ephraim Moravian Church
Binkhaven House Tour Binkhaven
Curator’s Tour: Through Their Lens Anderson Barn Museum
Binkhaven House Tour and Event
Binkhaven
August 17 6 pm
August 20 6 - 7 pm
September 2
September 5 1 - 2 pm
September 17 6 - 7 pm
Speaks: The Cherry Land Problem
Fall hours begin for EHF Museum Buildings
Roots of Our Village: Goodletson Cabin and Bethany Lutheran Church
October 1 10 - 11 am Binkhaven House Tour
October 1 1 - 2 pm
October 15
December 2 TBD
House Tour
EHF Museum Buildings close for season
Anderson Store is open for Ephraim’s Christmas in the Village
Lutheran Church
Originallyfounded in 1882, Bethany Lutheran Church has been a center of community in Ephraim throughout its existence. Over one hundred and forty plus years the church has had a lasting impact on both locals and visitors. The building has been a host to significant moments in many families’ lives, and it stands today as one of the central pieces of Ephraim’s skyline.
However, there was once a point when the future of Bethany Lutheran was very uncertain. In the mid-1960s, the congregation had been reduced to only a handful of members, there was no longer a full-time pastor, and services were held on a limited schedule. Only through the dedication and passion of the remaining congregation members did Bethany continue operations into the 2000s.
In 2011, the Ephraim Historical Foundation entered into an easement
agreement with Bethany Lutheran Church to ensure the historic church properties would be preserved should the congregation cease to exist. As a part of this agreement, an endowment goal of $500,000 was established to help the church fund maintenance of its properties. For the past decade, donations and support for the church have helped this endowment grow closer and closer to the $500,000 goal.
In July of 2023, the generosity of Sue Christensen helped achieve that goal, and much more. Sue was a teacher, and after her retirement she spent much time at her home in Ephraim as a loved member of the community and a volunteer for many local organizations. She was an active member of Bethany Lutheran and a charter member of the Eagle Society at the Ephraim Historical Foundation. After Sue’s passing in August of 2022, a bequest of $500,000 from her was given to Bethany Lutheran Church that exceeded the endowment goal and has now ensured the church can continue to care for the historic
properties for many years to come.
In spring of 2024, the impact of Sue’s care and generosity was amplified with an additional $1,000,000 bequest to the Bethany Lutheran Endowment Fund, as well as a bequest in excess of $2,000,000 to the Ephraim Historical Foundation Heritage Endowment Fund.
One cannot overstate the importance of individuals like Sue Christensen, whose generosity has secured the future of a historic Ephraim property and organization. The Ephraim Historical Foundation celebrates Sue’s legacy and thanks her for her impact on our village.
Our volunteers are the backbone of the EHF. Make a difference and get involved!
We are always looking for extra support, especially during the busy summer months. We offer a variety of volunteer opportunities including:
• Museum Steward
• Flower bed caretaker
• Adminstrative assistance
• Docent
• Program support
• Special event support
• Archives Join the fun this summer... Volunteer with the EHF
Cody Schreck
Executive Director cschreck@ephraim.org
Find out more at ephraim.org
Jeff O’Keeffe
Curator and Collections Manager jokeeffe@ephraim.org
Samantha Gray
Volunteer & Membership Coordinator sgray@ephraim.org
Board of Directors
President - Julie Watkins
Vice President - Rob Davis
Treasurer - Karen Bierman
Secretary - Sherry Moore
Past President - Kathy Pentler
Marcia Ellis
Marsella Fults
Bill Hoag
Sally Jacobson
Monique McClean
Windsor McCutcheon
Jim Peterman
Heritage Fund Directors
President - Tony Beadell
Vice President - Mardi Glenn
Treasurer - Bill Schumann
Secretary - Jim Rankin
Assistant Secretary/TreasurerCody Schreck
Larry Balistreri
Tom Boldt
Dick Christensen
Marilyn Cushing
George Drost
Sally Jacobson
Dick Volkmann
From November 16, 2023 through May 9, 2024
Robert D. Bentley
Dave and Betty Chomeau
Daniel Dineen and Linda Vanden Heuvel
Susie Samson
Corli & Ron Cramer
Chris Cramer
Marjorie Burger Gunnell
Dave and Betty Chomeau
Susan Gebhardt
Gregory and Ann Goltermann
Michael Hoesly and Nan Zimdars
Susie Samson
Richard and Susan Volkmann
Itsie & Janet Krause
Rachel Willems
Carl D. Lenz
Dave and Betty Chomeau
Susie Samson
Roland “Ron” Litterst
Anthony and Priscilla Beadell
Richard Christensen
Marilyn Cushing
Tim and Marsella Fults
Susan Gebhardt
Roy and Leslie Harsch
Marvin and Ceil Oakes
Richard and Susan Volkmann
Gretchen Meilinger
Larry and Joan Balistreri
John and Carrie Castleman
Dave and Betty Chomeau
Marilyn Cushing
Laura Geis
Marvin and Ceil Oakes
Susie Samson
Martha Sauter
Armella R. Norton
Dave and Betty Chomeau
Susie Samson
Katherine W. Oneson
Christopher Jaworski
Meadows of Scandia Village
Eleanor McCullin
Paul and Mandy Miller
John Minke and Ruth Oneson
Gary and Nancy Seabrook
Charles “Chuck” W. Pearson
Larry and Joan Balistreri
Dave and Betty Chomeau
Marilyn Cushing
Marianne Diekman
Marvin and Ceil Oakes
Glenn and Kathy Pentler
James and Margaret Peterman
James and JoAnne Rankin
Susie Samson
Richard and Susan Volkmann
Jim Reeve’s Birthday
Jon and Libby Baranko
Robert “Bob” J. Schaupp
Aliece Dorsch
Marvin and Ceil Oakes
Michael O’Donell
“from his friends at Stuart Tank Sales”
James and JoAnne Rankin
Susie Samson
Thomas and Meredith Scrivner
Jeff Sturm
Thomas Sturm
Hubert and Mary Tressler
Timothy Vivian
Judith A. Schumann
Anthony and Priscilla Beadell
Frank “Bud” C. Weaver
Larry and Joan Balistreri
Richard Christensen
Dave and Betty Chomeau
James Crane and Bonnie Johnson
Marilyn Cushing
Marianne Diekman
Rem and Jennifer Fairlamb
Michael and Suzanne Lisle
Nancy Nicholas
Marvin and Ceil Oakes
James and Margaret Peterman
Glenn and Kathy Pentler
Carole Pyle-Weaver
James and JoAnne Rankin
Susie Samson
Christopher and Janine Schmeltz and family
Thomas and Meredith Scrivner
Richard and Susan Volkmann
Thank you to all of our donors who gave in honor or memory of EHF members, family, and friends.
In Honor of Ann Reeve’s Birthday
Jon and Libby Baranko
Peter Byfield
Courtney Waack
Our members are very dear to us. They play such an integral part in the Ephraim Historical Foundation, and our small Ephraim community as well. With heavy hearts we acknowledge the passing of our members and friends who have left us since November 16, 2023.
Frank J. Capozzi
Robert D. Bentley (August 18, 2023)
Carol Gresko-Lyons
Marjorie B. Gunnell
Lynda Hanaway
Carl D. Lenz
Gretchen Meilinger
Armella R. Norton
Charles W. Pearson
Robert J. Schaupp
John C. Turner (July 15, 2023)
Frank C. Weaver
If there are notifications that you would like to send out to the EHF email list, please let us know either by phone or email.
Door Garden Club, Inc.
Julie-Anne Kress and Susan Reinfeldt
Gary and Shireen Moore
Pearl Wine Cottage
Lisa Reardon and Dan Smith
Robin Schreck and Bob Rypkema
Nancy Steinke
Established in 1949, the Ephraim Historical Foundation emerged from a collective desire to preserve and celebrate the heritage of this quaint village nestled along Wisconsin’s Door County peninsula. Since its inception, membership has been the lifeblood of the EHF, fueling its mission to safeguard Ephraim’s cultural legacy for generations to come.
In its early years, membership in the Ephraim Historical Foundation was a privilege primarily extended to local and summer residents passionate about their community’s history. Families whose roots ran deep in Ephraim’s soil were among the first to join, eager to contribute to the EHF’s efforts to document and protect the village’s historical landmarks, artifacts, and stories. These founding members, through their commitment and dedication, laid the groundwork for what would become a cornerstone institution in Ephraim’s cultural landscape. The enduring legacy and commitment of these original members has been transmitted across generations, with a substantial portion of our present membership continuing the legacy of their families.
As Ephraim’s reputation as a historic destination grew, so too did interest in the EHF’s mission. Visitors enchanted by the village’s charm and allure sought to become part of its ongoing narrative by
becoming members. The EHF embraced this influx of new members, recognizing the value of diverse perspectives and contributions in preserving Ephraim’s heritage. Over time, membership evolved to encompass a broad spectrum of individuals, from longtime residents to seasonal visitors, historians, scholars, and enthusiasts from across the country and even Canada.
Membership in the Ephraim Historical Foundation is more than just a symbolic gesture; it’s a tangible investment in the preservation of Ephraim’s past and the promotion of its cultural heritage. Since the begnning, members have contributed not just financial support, but also devoted numerous hours to maintaining our structures and narrating the tales of Ephraim’s residents. While members appreciate various perks, the most significant is the sense of belonging to a close-knit community and the assurance that their ongoing support is safeguarding Ephraim’s legacy for future generations to uncover and value.
Today, the Ephraim Historical Foundation continues to thrive, buoyed by the enduring support and engagement of its members. Together, they form a community united by a shared passion for Ephraim’s history, bound by the belief that preserving the past is essential for shaping the village’s future.
For 2023
Charles Anderson
Henry Anderson III and Shirley Levine
Marilyn Backer
Lawrence and Joan Balistreri
Anthony and Priscilla Beadell
Richard and Karen Bierman
OC and Pat Boldt Fund via Patricia Boldt
The Bernal T. Chomeau Private Foundation
Trustees: Kathleen & Matthew Andrews, Douglas & Mary Chomeau, and Stuart & Susan Chomeau
David and Elizabeth Chomeau
Douglas and Mary Chomeau
Richard Christensen
Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region
James Crane and Bonnie Johnson
John and Victoria Cultra
Robert Davis III
Door County Community Foundation, Inc.
George and Beth Drost
Thomas and Anne Dukehart
Wendell and Shanna Ellsworth
Robert and Nancy Evanson
Eric and Patrica Fess
The 1949 Society recognizes those who have given $1,000 or more to the EHF during a given calendar year. This consistent annual giving makes it possible for the EHF to maintain and staff our buildings while supporting our programs and projects.
Thank you!
Fidelity Charitable
Richard and Ellen Glaisner
Marjorie Glenn
Jack Godshall and Kate Later
Gregory and Ann Goltermann
Barbara Gould
George and Judith Harmon
Paul Heim and Julie Watkins
William Hoag
Ralph and Genevieve B. Horween Foundation
Trustees: Stuart & Gabriella Chase, Frederick Stow, Jr., Ashley Stow, and Margaret Meg Stow Crawley
Thomas and Katherine Hughes
Minahan-MacNeil Ephraim Fund via Douglas MacNeil
John Minke and Ruth Oneson MD
James and JoAnne Rankin
Susie Samson
William Schumann
Schwab Charitable
Cynthia Stiehl
Robert and Norma Thorne Charitable Fund via Roger Thorne
Julia and David Uihlein
Richard and Susan Volkmann
Frank* Weaver and Carole Pyle-Weaver
Kathi Whiteside
Thank you to our volunteer editors: Betty Chomeau, Susie Samson, and JoAnne Rankin
Thank you to everyone who helped us document our events!
In honor of the Ephraim Historical Foundation’s 75th Anniversary, we are excited to announce a fundraising campaign to benefit the Heritage Fund. The Heritage Fund serves the critical role of administering the EHF’s endowment, which presently provides funds to support half our annual operating budget. With a goal of raising $75,000 in 75 days, ending on the night of the Summer Social, you have an opportunity to make an incredible impact on the longterm sustainment of EHF by supporting this campaign. Gifts of any size will be greatly appreciated. A generous group of supporters have already committed $44,500 cumulatively towards this overall goal. With your support, we can close the gap to $75,000 by July 20, and perpetuate the EHF mission well into the future!
Telephone: 920-854-9688
E-mail contact: info@ephraim.org
Website: www.ephraim.org Celebrating 75 years