QUIET WINTER MONTHS AT THE CALEDONIA HISTORICAL VILLAGE

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THANKS FOR THE SUPPORT!

A grateful thank you to everyone who supported the Caledonia Historical Society(CHS) in 2023.  The winter months are quiet at the Caledonia Historical Village, but plans are underway for the 2024 projects.  For example, if anyone wants to help scrape and paint the 1927 Caboose, please contact the CHS through this website.  The caboose will be returned to it’s original yellow and green colors.

MEETINGS

Although there will be no membership meetings until April 18th, 2024, there will be board meetings.  The first board meeting of 2024 will be January 29th at 6:30 pm.  If you are interested in participating, contact the CHS through this website.

Raised Bed Gardens

There are two raised bed gardens at the Caledonia Historical Village.  If anyone is interested in growing fresh produce, contact the CHS through this website.  The first year of rent is free, water is provided, and assistance from a master gardener is available.

MEMBERSHIP FORMS AND DONATIONS

The link for the membership form and donation information can be found on the ABOUT page.  You need to scroll down the page.  You can donate by either mailing a check or online.  The CHS is a 501(c)3.

VISIT THE BEAUTIFUL GROUNDS OF THE CALEDONIA HISTORICAL VILLAGE

The grounds are open from dawn to dusk.  If you use the grounds for special event photography, please make a donation.  The CHV is owned and operated by the volunteers of the Caledonia Historical Society with funding from membership dues, donations, grants and fund raising activities. There is no funding from a governmental source.

SPECIAL EVENTS AND MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

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CHS GUEST SPEAKER AT THE NOVEBMER 16TH MEETING

The Caledonia Historical Society (CHS) October meeting will be held Thursday, November 16th at 6:30 pm at the Caledonia/Mt. Pleasant Park, 9614 Hwy K, Franksville. The public is invited to join the CHS in welcoming guest speaker, Chuck Miles, who will speak on “The January Harvest.”  He will explain what and how the January harvest was accomplished in the 1800’s.

Mr. Miles is a past President of the CHS and has volunteered in many capacities since moving to Caledonia forty-five years ago.  He enjoyed working with local youth in the Boy Scouts and the Youth Conservation Corps.  He has provided motorcycle safety training and was the lead motorcycle trainer throughout Wisconsin.  He also conducted driver safety courses for AARP.  He is a veteran and was an electronic technician while in service.

This opportunity to hear Mr. Miles speak is free of charge, but donations are welcome to enable the CHS to maintain the Caledonia Historical Village located east of Hwy 38 on 5 Mile Rd.

CHS CHRISTMAS BAKE SALE AND ARTIST SHERRY LOU CHRISTMAS BOUTIQUE

 The Caledonia Historical Society is holding a Christmas Bake Sale on December 1st from 4 pm to 7 pm, December 2nd from Noon to 4 pm, and December 3rd from Noon to 3 pm at the Caledonia Historical Village located at 7330 5 Mile Rd, Racine, just east of Hwy 38.

The Christmas Bake sale will be held in the 1877 Town Hall.  Cookies available will be molasses cookies, chocolate cashew cookies, decorated sugar wafers, cherry chocolate chip, sugar cookies, coconut bars, cutout cookies, and peanut butter blossoms as well as divinity, cinnamon rolls, scones, and breads.   There will also be hand craft items such as wreaths and door hangings.

Artist Sherry Lou will be holding a Christmas Gift Boutique in the 1840 Cabin starting December 1st from 4 pm to 7 pm, December 2nd from Noon to 7 pm, and December 3rd from Noon to 4 pm.  There will be quilts, jewelry, handmade greeting cards, wood crafts both indoor and outdoor, and much more.

All proceeds from the bake sale benefit the Caledonia Historical Society, and a percentage of the boutique sales will benefit the Caledonia Historical Society.

MEET TIM CRAWFORD

Tim is a life long resident of the Caledonia/Racine area other than when he was away for school.  He graduated from law school in 1972 and practiced in Racine until his retirement in 2017.

Tim grew up on the Crawford farm on 4 Mile Road.  His father and his brother both worked for the highway department.  His brother was influential in having the 39 acres near Hwy 32 and 4 Mile Rd donated to Caledonia.  The park that was built on the donated land was named Crawford Park upon his brother’s retirement.

Tim is an active member of the Caledonia Historical Society as a docent in the 1877 Town Hall during the CHS open houses.  Tim enjoys talking to the visitors and educating them on Caledonia History.  Tim is in the 1877 Town Hall in this picture.

MEMBERSHIP FORMS AND DONATIONS

The link for the membership form and donation information can be found on the ABOUT page.  You need to scroll down the page.  You can donate by either mailing a check or online.  The CHS is a 501(c)3.

VISIT THE BEAUTIFUL GROUNDS OF THE CALEDONIA HISTORICAL VILLAGE

The grounds are open from dawn to dusk.  If you use the grounds for special event photography, please make a donation.  The CHV is owned and operated by the volunteers of the Caledonia Historical Society with funding from membership dues, donations, grants and fund raising activities. There is no funding from a governmental source.

FALL AT THE CALEDONIA HISTORICAL VILLAGE

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LAST OPEN HOUSE OF 2023

The Caledonia Historical Society will be hosting an open house at the Caledonia Historical Village on Sunday, October 15th from 12 pm until 4 pm.  All the buildings will be open with docents.  The Village is located at 7330 5 Mile Rd, just east of Hwy 38.  Admission is free but donations are appreciated towards the maintenance of the historic buildings.

GUEST SPEAKER AT THE OCTOBER 19TH MONTHLY MEETING

The Caledonia Historical Society October meeting will be held Thursday, October 19th at 6:30 pm at the Caledonia/Mt. Pleasant Park, 9614 Hwy K, Franksville. The public is invited to join the CHS in welcoming guest speaker, Jim Mercier, who will speak about old Racine advertising signs and trays used at Racine breweries, dairies, and stores.  He will be sharing advertising pieces from his collection of Racine memorabilia.

Mr. Mercier began collecting old Racine memorabilia 50 years ago due to his interest in Racine history.  Some of his collection can be seen at the “Spirit of Racine Entrepreneur’s Exhibit” located in the Racine Business Center, 1405 16th St.

Mr. Mercier has presented many programs and written several articles about Racine history.  He also writes a column about products once made in Racine for the Preservation Racine Newsletter.

This opportunity to hear Mr. Mercier speak is free of charge, but donations are welcome to enable the CHS to maintain the Caledonia Historical Village located east of Hwy 38 on 5 Mile Rd.

CONSTRUCTION AT THE VILLAGE CONTINUES

The shed that will be used to house the CHS mowers is almost done.  Just needs some trim and some paint.  This will allow for better use of the space in the Botting Shed.  The construction has been accomplished by the CHS volunteers.

The new doors for the 1902 Milwaukee Road Depot are progressing.  The next piece of the puzzle is making them fit into the old doorways and installing the glass.  A CHS volunteer is responsible for creating the beautiful new doors.

MEMBERSHIP FORMS AND DONATIONS

The link for the membership form and donation information can be found on the ABOUT page.  You need to scroll down the page.  You can donate by either mailing a check or online.  The CHS is a 501(c)3.

VISIT THE BEAUTIFUL GROUNDS OF THE CALEDONIA HISTORICAL VILLAGE

The grounds are open from dawn to dusk.  If you use the grounds for special event photography, please make a donation.  The CHV is owned and operated by the volunteers of the Caledonia Historical Society with funding from membership dues, donations, grants and fund raising activities. There is no funding from a governmental source.

SUMMER AT THE CALEDONIA HISTORICAL VILLAGE

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BREWTOWN CRUISERS 42ND ANNUAL CAR SHOW AT THE CHV

The Brewtown Cruisers will be holding their 42nd annual car show on September 9th from 10 am to 4 pm at the Caledonia Historical Village.  All makes, models and years are welcome.  The car registration fee is $15 with dash plaques given to the first 100 cars.  Cars 30 years and older will be judged.

Music will be by Slick Rick.  There will be a 50/50 raffle.  Visit the Botting Shed to find crafts, bake sale, food and drinks for purchase.

All of the historic buildings will be open with docents available to answer questions.  Admission is free.  A donation will be suggested for parking.  All funds raised by the CHS will be used to maintain the grounds and the buildings.

PLANTING BEDS CONSTRUCTED

Thanks to a grant from the Potpourri Garden Club, two raised garden beds were built at the Caledonia Historical Village for the purpose of providing a senior or disabled individual the opportunity to grow fresh vegetables.  The beds are 4′ wide x 8′ long x 30″ high.  If you are interested in planting the beds in 2024  contact [email protected] for more information.  The beds were planted by CHS volunteers (who are seniors) in 2023.

 

MORE CONSTRUCTION

The “mushy” flooring in the Town Hall has been replaced and all of the flooring has been painted.  The displays have also been updated.

The work crew volunteers are busy building a shed for storage of the lawn mowers.

TWENTIETH YEAR PICNIC

The Caledonia Historical Society(CHS) became official as a 501(c)3 in 2003.  The CHS has been striving for twenty years to preserve and disseminate local history.  The Caledonia Historical Village(CHV) started with the move of the 1877 Town Hall to the CHV.  The CHV now includes the 1902 Sturtevant Milwaukee  Road Depot, a 1927 Caboose, a 1840 Log Cabin, a 1900 Machine Shed, a Museum built on the grounds, and various small buildings and numerous artifacts.

In celebration a picnic was held at the CHV on Sunday, July 30th at 12:30 pm in the Botting Shed. There was great food and great fellowship.

OPEN HOUSES

The Caledonia Historical Society will be holding open houses at the Caledonia Historical Village on  August 20th and October 15th.  The open houses are from 12:00 pm until 4:00 pm.  All buildings are open with docents.

MEMBERSHIP FORMS AND DONATIONS

The link for the membership form and donation information can be found on the ABOUT page.  You need to scroll down the page.  You can donate by either mailing a check or online.  The CHS is a 501(c)3.

VISIT THE BEAUTIFUL GROUNDS OF THE CALEDONIA HISTORICAL VILLAGE

The grounds are open from dawn to dusk.  If you use the grounds for special event photography, please make a donation.  The CHV is owned and operated by the volunteers of the Caledonia Historical Society with funding from membership dues, donations, grants and fund raising activities. There is no funding from a governmental source. Continue reading →

SUMMER AT THE CALEDONIA HISTORICAL VILLAGE

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OPEN HOUSES

The Caledonia Historical Society will be holding open houses at the Caledonia Historical Village on June 18th, July 16th, August 20th and October 15th.  The open house hours are 12:00 pm until 4:00 pm.  All buildings are open with docents.  Visit the museum to see the changes in the exhibits.

FALL FEST CAR SHOW

The second annual Fall Fest Car show will be September 9th from 10 am to 4 pm.  The Brew Town Cruisers will be presenting their 42nd annual car show.  There will be food for purchase, a bake sale,  all buildings will be open with docents, and much more.  More information will be coming soon.

MEET A CHS MEMBER

Robert Franitza joined the Caledonia Historical Society in 2022.  He retired in 2021 after working 45 years in the printing industry.  He and his wife have been married for 42 years, and they have lived in Caledonia for 22 years.  They have three grown children.  Bob was encouraged by long-time member, Clarence, to visit the grounds of the Caledonia Historical Village (CHV) and to learn about the Caledonia Historical Society.  Bob joined and is a regular participant of the Monday and Thursday work crew who maintain the historic buildings and the grounds.  Bob enjoys learning the history of the area and sharing what he has learned with the visitors to the CHV.

MEMBERSHIP FORMS AND DONATIONS

The link for the membership form and donation information can be found on the ABOUT page.  You need to scroll down the page.  You can donate either by mailing a check or online.  The CHS is a 501(c)3.

VISIT THE BEAUTIFUL GROUNDS OF THE CALEDONIA HISTORICAL VILLAGE

The grounds are open from dawn to dusk.  If you use the CHV grounds for special event photography, please make a donation.   The CHV is owned and operated by the volunteers of the Caledonia Historical Society with funding coming from membership dues, donations, grants and fund raising activities.  There is no funding from a governmental source.