Merrill Historical Society announces series of History Talks
The Merrill Historical Society will present a series of three History Talks this winter season beginning Feb.16 with an exploration of law enforcement in the community over the years. The programs begin at 7 p.m. in the upper level of the Heritage Center located at 100 E. 3rd St., Merrill.
Feb. 16- Merrill natives and historians Greg Hartwig and Michael "Gus" Caylor will open the series with "History of the Merrill Police Department." They will explain how police patrol was conducted during Merrill's early years, describe changes in methods throughout the years, and tell the story of the shooting of Capt. Elmer Krueger, the only officer killed in the line of duty. Early Merrill Police Department memorabilia will be displayed.
Hartwig is currently a Lieutenant and Shift Supervisor with the Merrill Police Department. Caylor is a Lincoln County Sheriff's Department 911 Dispatcher and son of Michael Caylor, a police department lieutenant who preceded Hartwig as department historian.
March 22- Karen Karow will present the history of the Church Mutual Insurance Company. The company is the largest insurer of churches and church property in the United States and Merrill's largest employer.
Karow is Vice-President of Corporate Services and company historian. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Upper Iowa University and the Certified Professional Insurance Woman designation. She has been with the company since 1981. She is also the president-elect of the Merrill Rotary Club.
April 19- Dr. Brett Barker, Associate Professor of History, University of Wisconsin - Marathon County, a Civil War historian, will present "Civil War on the Home Front" in commemoration of the sesquicentennial of the U.S. Civil War.
Barker has been a UWMC faculty member since 2002. He teaches a variety of courses on the subjects of the Civil War, American Indians and Wisconsin. He holds a PhD from the University of Wisconsin - Madison and is the author of "Exploring Civil War Wisconsin: A Survival Guide for Researchers." Barker's book will be available for purchase.
May- A History Talks program is being planned for May.
The public is invited to attend the History Talks series. A $5 donation will be asked at the door. Admission is free to Merrill Historical Society members and students.
Historical Society Memberships will be sold at each event. Membership levels and amounts are Individual $17, Senior Individual (62 and older) $14, Family $22, Senior Family $19, Organization $16, Business $26, and Sustaining Member $50. Lifetime Memberships are Individual $200 and Family $300.
For more information, telephone 715-536-5652. Historical Society office hours are Tuesday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., or by appointment. The office is closed on Monday.
Capital Campaign Update
The It's About time Capital Campaign for the Merrill History & Culture Center building project has received donations and pledges from individuals and organizations amounting to $339,203 according to Bea Lebal, President.
Lebal said the new building will address the need for exhibit space and public access. There currently is limited display space and access to photographs, documents and rare or fragile artifacts for research.
The Merrill Historical Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. All contributions are tax deductible to the full extent of the law. Contributions can be made by check, pledge or bequest to: Merrill Area Historical Society, 102 E. 3rd St., Merrill, WI 54452. Contributions can be made online at: merrillhistoricalsoc.com.
Feb. 16- Merrill natives and historians Greg Hartwig and Michael "Gus" Caylor will open the series with "History of the Merrill Police Department." They will explain how police patrol was conducted during Merrill's early years, describe changes in methods throughout the years, and tell the story of the shooting of Capt. Elmer Krueger, the only officer killed in the line of duty. Early Merrill Police Department memorabilia will be displayed.
Hartwig is currently a Lieutenant and Shift Supervisor with the Merrill Police Department. Caylor is a Lincoln County Sheriff's Department 911 Dispatcher and son of Michael Caylor, a police department lieutenant who preceded Hartwig as department historian.
March 22- Karen Karow will present the history of the Church Mutual Insurance Company. The company is the largest insurer of churches and church property in the United States and Merrill's largest employer.
Karow is Vice-President of Corporate Services and company historian. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Upper Iowa University and the Certified Professional Insurance Woman designation. She has been with the company since 1981. She is also the president-elect of the Merrill Rotary Club.
April 19- Dr. Brett Barker, Associate Professor of History, University of Wisconsin - Marathon County, a Civil War historian, will present "Civil War on the Home Front" in commemoration of the sesquicentennial of the U.S. Civil War.
Barker has been a UWMC faculty member since 2002. He teaches a variety of courses on the subjects of the Civil War, American Indians and Wisconsin. He holds a PhD from the University of Wisconsin - Madison and is the author of "Exploring Civil War Wisconsin: A Survival Guide for Researchers." Barker's book will be available for purchase.
May- A History Talks program is being planned for May.
The public is invited to attend the History Talks series. A $5 donation will be asked at the door. Admission is free to Merrill Historical Society members and students.
Historical Society Memberships will be sold at each event. Membership levels and amounts are Individual $17, Senior Individual (62 and older) $14, Family $22, Senior Family $19, Organization $16, Business $26, and Sustaining Member $50. Lifetime Memberships are Individual $200 and Family $300.
For more information, telephone 715-536-5652. Historical Society office hours are Tuesday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., or by appointment. The office is closed on Monday.
Capital Campaign Update
The It's About time Capital Campaign for the Merrill History & Culture Center building project has received donations and pledges from individuals and organizations amounting to $339,203 according to Bea Lebal, President.
Lebal said the new building will address the need for exhibit space and public access. There currently is limited display space and access to photographs, documents and rare or fragile artifacts for research.
The Merrill Historical Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. All contributions are tax deductible to the full extent of the law. Contributions can be made by check, pledge or bequest to: Merrill Area Historical Society, 102 E. 3rd St., Merrill, WI 54452. Contributions can be made online at: merrillhistoricalsoc.com.
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