Archivist Janet Berggren's page, ADVENTURES IN THE ARCHIVES,
became my favorite page in the Island Observer.

Washington Island -

I attended a meeting of the Washington Island Archives last Tuesday afternoon (which by coincidence also happened to be my birthday).

Everything went smoothly and routinely initially, my first meeting as committee chair since Eric Greenfeldt resigned as our long-term chairman in May, due to personal obligations that take him away from the Island. (Eric stayed on as a committee member, however.)

But, as Janet Berggren concluded her Archivist's report, she looked quietly first at the table top, then at the ceiling lights, and drew a deep breath before announcing that she would retire at year's end.  

This was quite a shocker to those around the table, let me say!  (I have to admit it was "right up there" with the time I was elected American Legion Post Commander when attending my second meeting in 1975 (the other four or five men in attendance already had their turn and were waiting for new blood)... or the time I consented to take the role of Church Council President, only to have the minister resign a few months later, followed by the church furnace giving up a few months after that.   Unforgettable times, all.)  

We'll miss Janet when she leaves in late December.  She said she's looking "to carve out some 'retirement' time.  One can never stop learning, and I've learned that when it comes to Island history, the road is a seemingly endless path leading from one treasure to another."  I can't help but agree with her inclinations, and wish her nothing but the best.

Janet has great skills, including the talent to put together an outstanding, polished Archives page in the Observer, drawing us in with her humor and light mystery.  She'll be with us a few more months, and during that time we hope to select her replacement, someone who can benefit by working alongside Janet before she goes skiing, or whatever she has in mind!

On another note, the Island Archives lost a friend and a great volunteer in David Raup this summer, a man with tremendous career accomplishments in paleontology, yet someone most of us hardly knew because he was quiet and unassuming.  He kept the Archives computers humming by updating software and looking for suitable machines that still ran on his favored XP software.   Janet's remarks, delivered at Dave's Memorial Gathering on Saturday, Sep. 19, titled "Remembering Dave Raup," will be published in the next Island Observer issue.

Never static

Organizations are dynamic, always changing, and the Island Archives is no different.  It would be a mistake to believe Island events and committees run on auto pilot, seldom deviating from course, with little effort expended to keep the ship moving forward.

Established routines, understood job descriptions, and a history built around successful events helps, but in the end it is the plain, hard work of many members and participants that makes a success of Island events.   These highlights make a significant contribution to our "tourism summer":   the Birding Festival; Paddlefest; the Lions Club Fly-In Fishboil, and the Fair;  the Women's Club International Food Festival; Art In The Park at the ANC;   Scandinavian Dance Festival;  the Music Festival;  the Rec Run and Walk;  the American Legion Memorial Day Program and Fish Boils;  Death's Door BBQ;  the Friends of Rock Island picnic;  and the recently held Literary Festival.  I know I've forgotten many others, for which I apologize.

These are but the tip of the iceberg.  Lots of work goes into putting on these events, and I believe each one of those named above is sponsored by a non-profit organization and staffed by volunteers.  The cumulative effect is an Island that bustles with energy, ideas, creativity and promise.  It's captivating and contagious, and not just for first time visitors.   Residents often make up the bulk of the patronage at these events, both pitching in to help and enjoying the activity.

There's good reason we choose living here, beyond the beauty and awe of this natural world.   The closeness of a working community is a strong part of that reason.  There's nothing better than to be invested in your community, knowing that your work, using your hands and head, contributes to the overall economic and social well-being of the Island.

-  Dick Purinton    

AMONG SPIRITS

Three groups of 30+ each listened raptly to eight 
Island voices at Sunday's Cemetery Walk.

Washington Harbor, Island Cemetery -

The third Washington Island Archives Cemetery Walk held Sunday, Sep. 14, brought eight Island personalities from the past back to life before an audience of more than 100.

The Green Bay Packer organization held off Sunday's start time at 3:25 out of respect for this Island resurrection, making it possible for fans to participate in both events.   The September weather was pleasant, the monologue scripts summarizing each life were excellent, and the actors who delivered the messages did so in convincing, entertaining fashion.

The eight Islander profiles chosen, along with their respective actors, are shown in photos below.   In many instances, the likeness of the presenter to the person they portrayed was uncanny.  The many accomplishments of the persons chosen, and their contributions to Island life, absorbed within a two-hour program, was overwhelming.  These were tireless organizers, heads of families, champions of causes, successful in ways that lasted far beyond the grave.  

According to Island Archivist Janet Berggren and her staff of volunteers, over 100 programs were given out to a crowd divided into three groups.  Each circulated the short distance between headstone locations, spending approximately 15 minutes with each spirited actor.  The entire event was completed by 3:00 pm, in time to watch the Green Bay Packers get buried, then miraculously come to life again against the New York Jets.  

Julian Hagen sang his new song, written
especially for the occasion:
"From A Spirit's Point of View"

Archives President Eric Greenfeldt portrayed
his great-grandfather J. W. Cornell (1865-1952).
Research/Script by Eric Greenfeldt.

Jens Hansen portrayed
Christ A. Hansen (1856-1936).  Research/
Script by Charlotte Hansen.

Chuck Sena portrayed Nels Friis (1850-1923).
Research/Script by Connie Sena.

Neil Shadle portrayed Will Jess (1869-1938).
Research/Script by Merrill Lundberg.

Lillie May Shadle portrayed Janet Burgoon (1900-1989).
Research/Script by Kirby Foss.

Terry Henkel portrayed Jens
Jacobsen (1867-1952).   Research/Script
by Jewel Lee Grandy.

Joyce Morehouse portrayed Martha
Stelter (1914-2009).  Research/Script by
Jeanie Young.

Tony Woodruff portrayed Tom Nelsen (1871-1960).
Research/Script by Dave Raup and Grace Woodruff.

BIRDS CONTINUE TO STIR INTEREST (AND BUILD CAPITAL)

An unexpected encounter with a Snowy Owl
on Memorial Day in
Jackson Harbor is recounted by Janet Berggren.

Washington Island, Wisconsin -

Birds continue to stir interest

Local birding activity has never been better, it seems.  

Recent sightings include several birds that are considered “rare” for this location and time of year.  These birds help confirm what many Island birders already knew, that in early summer migration the combination of shoreline, wetlands, upland fields, hedges and woods provide excellent opportunities to observe birds of surprising variety.

Several weeks ago, in the field across from his home, Rock Island Park Manager Randy Holm spotted a large bird with an unusual beak that he couldn’t immediately identify.  By means of photos he took and then emailed to Melody Walsh, who was off-island at the time, this bird was determined to be a Crested Caracara.  The Caracara’s common habitat is found in Mexico and points much farther south than Wisconsin.  This became the first official sighting of the Crested Caracara in Wisconsin, a new state record with Holm’s name credited as observer. 

Interest from other birders was immediate and strong.  With binoculars and telephoto cameras at the ready, the Crested Caracara became their primary objective, as the Island’s central acreage was scanned for a glimpse of this bird.  It’s presence was still being confirmed through daily observations  over the following several weeks.

 

Such heightened birding interest may have led to other, unexpected bird sightings, too.   Both experienced and casual observers saw and photographed birds that are considered rare enough to post on the Door Rare Bird Alert website, according to Melody Walsh.  

In addition to observing the Crested Caracara, visiting birder Eric Howe spotted a Black Vulture among the more commonly seen Turkey Vultures.  Howe also spotted a Northern Mockingbird on Rock Island on May 26.

Janet Berggren was surprised by a Snowy Owl and was able to take many photos on Memorial Day, May 26, near her home in Jackson Harbor.  Here is Janet's narrative:

“A bit of background on the photo:      I walked out on our dock Monday evening, May 26, around 6:30 p.m.  When I cleared the tree line and came out to the open end of the dock, a large white bird flew right in front of me diagonally (north to south) across the width of the dock -- literally a few feet away at eye level -- and landed on the piling on the south side of our dock, maybe 12 feet away.  The huge bird perched there and stared at me -- and I stared back.  I didn't move a muscle for several very long minutes.  It was long enough to get a good look at this bird, which was clearly a Snowy Owl -- not your typical sight on Memorial Day!  I was totally enthralled, having never seen a Snowy Owl before.  My dad started me out bird watching at the age of six, so I know he'll be happy for me -- and wishing he was there.

"I took my eyes off the owl for a minute to look at the squawking Mergansers in the water below, and the owl lifted off and flew south across the harbor to the Jackson Harbor Town Dock, more or less right in front of Karen Baxter's lunch wagon.  The bird was so large, I could see it land on a picnic table.  I looked over to Nelson's Dock and spotted Larry and Jeanie Young.  I called to them across the water, telling them of my find.  They hopped on their bikes and rode over to the Town Dock to get a look at it, while telling their daughter, Pam Young, who got out her camera.

"By the time I arrived at the Town Dock a few minutes later with husband Ken, son, Charlie and Charlie's finance, Amanda, carrying my camera and binoculars, the owl was posing nicely for Pam.  Pam and I were both able to approach quite closely and we took multiple pictures.  When we got too close, the owl flew to a nearby piling and then later to the roof of the Town net shed, by Seediver's dock.  Eventually, it flew back across the harbor to land on the railing of our neighbor's "floating dock," which was still on land.  The Berggren crowd trooped home and Ken and I found the owl (which had now turned its back on us) and I was able to continue shooting photos.  We finally gave up and went in the house -- the owl outlasted us!  We couldn't believe it!  The owl was never afraid of us and barely seemed annoyed.  It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience any way you slice it, but the most amazing part was watching the owl turn its head around 360 degrees.  I have several photos of the owl's back turned to us, while it is staring at us!"

Word of such sightings would seem to be an appetizer for birders who register for the three-day Island Birding Festival that starts today, Friday, May 30.  However, according to Sandy Peterson who founded the Island Birding Festival eight years ago, birders who come here for the weekend festival – while certainly interested in seeing a rare bird – appear to be more attracted by the great number and variety of birds found here.

   

Festival registration ended in mid-May, before the Crested Caracara made news.  So far, there are 50 Birding Festival registrants for the field birding and 70 people for the Saturday evening banquet.  Sandy noted that there’s also a practical, logistical limit to the number of birders that can be properly organized and guided in the field. 

Nationwide, the environmentally low-impact activity of birding involves millions of people from all age groups.  The economic contribution birders make is difficult to quantify, but it may be easier to identify their contributions on Washington Island where there is a visible increase in the number of visitors, who in turn purchase meals, overnights and gift items during their stay. 

 -  Dick Purinton

                 

HALDOR EINARSSON CARVING REDISCOVERED

Gudrun Ingvarsdottir, Icelandic immigrant, 
likeness carved
in one side of sperm whale tooth.

Washington Island -

Several weeks ago, at a meeting of the Washington Island Archives, Archivist Janet Berggren brought to our attention a carving inside a glass case. This item had been passed along from the Island Library, where it had been on display for a number of years.  

No one seemed to immediately know what it was, or its significance, although a hand-lettered label on card stock inside the box said, "To Icelanders of Washington Island from the Icelandic Association of Chicago."

The glass case, approximately 16 inches high by one foot square, held what appeared to be a carved sperm whale tooth, mounted on a wooden base with descriptions of the two carved figures, one on either side, inscribed in brass plates fastened to the wooden base. On one side: Gudmunder Gudmundsson 1840-1938. On the opposing side:  his wife (we assume) Gudrun Ingvarsdottir (1842-1940).

This carving was placed on a piece of what appeared to be a square of dark sheepskin, wool side up, of a very dark brown color, shades of which are found among some Icelandic sheep.

[As I write this, I've strained to see more closely their respective dates of birth and death, and I can hardly believe they both lived to 98 years of age!  That will require additional checking to see if my eyes are correct.] 

Gudmunder Gudmundsson, whose two sons,
Tom and Albert, chose
last names Goodman and Goodmander.

The glass case was secured with a light, brass hasp, but to ensure no one messed with the carving, a hardened padlock was snapped in place.  A key for the lock could not be located.

The following week I brought a hacksaw to the Archives in an attempt to cut through the lock.  No dice.  It took a bolt cutter to do the job.  Once the carving could be examined more closely, it did indeed appear to be a carved sperm whale tooth, with the moniker "Dory" on the underside of the base, along with the date, '70.   "Dory" was also carved into one side of the tooth.

The top of the wooden base on which the tooth was mounted (glued, it appears) showed the relief outline of Iceland, and basalt-like columns were carved vertically into the sides, representative of those volcanic formations found in the landscape of Iceland. 

The carving's date, then, was 1970, the same year the Washington Island Icelandic Immigration Centennial was celebrated, highlighting the arrival of the first Icelanders here.  (That same year, also in  June 1970, the new ferry Eyrarbakki was christened with well water from the Eyrarbakki school yard well.)

Janet searched the Archives Index for related articles, and she found that a Centennial celebration had been planned for June 1970.  A request was made in one news article for the availability of rooms to host guests, and 400+ pounds of whitefish were on order for a fish boil.  Several Icelandic dignitaries were expected to make an appearance, including a man who at the time was the Chicago manager for Icelandic Airlines.  But, no news photo or direct connection was uncovered regarding a carved gift from Iceland. 

Similar signature 

While we were convinced this was given to Washington Island in 1970, perhaps accepted by the then Town Chairman, the carver's identity remained to be determined.  The rather stern looking faces carved in the tooth I believed were similar to those faces, also of the Gudmundssons, that I had seen in a museum in Selfoss, Iceland, when we traveled there with a large group in 1987.  Ted Jessen had brought us to the Halldor Einarsson museum of carvings during that trip, that same man who carved Thordarson's furniture.  I recalled filming Jessen as he held up two carved wooden figures, and their likeness resembled closely those carved in the whale's tooth.  

Einarsson, who immigrated first to Manitoba in 1922, then came to Chicago, had left his Chicago area home for Iceland in 1965 after the death of his wife, in order to spend his last years in his homeland.  He took with him many carved pieces accumulated in his personal collection, and he then funded and established a museum in Selfoss to house them.  Einarsson died in 1977.  With continued good health, he could have in fact carved this commemorative piece, either commissioned, or as his personal gift. 

But, a few days passed before I made the association between Halldor Einarsson and "Dory."  On several of the sketch pages observed in one of Thordarson's notebooks, there appeared the same stylized name, "Dory," with its distinctive tail end of the "Y" extended beneath the other letters.  Dory was Einarsson's nickname, it appeared - or at least the way in which he signed his work.  

In my book, I attributed Thordarson's notebook sketches (dated 1931) to someone who had gained Thordarson's trust, and I suggested it was possibly the work of his oldest son, Dewey, who studied to be an artist.  Whoever it was, he received permission to expand upon Thordarson's creative ideas in those personal pages.  Wood carver Einarsson would have earned such trust, through his successful interpretation of Norse mythology in the furniture carvings he made for Thordarson's Chicago office.  Those pieces were later moved to the Rock Island boathouse.

What has not yet been decided is the ultimate disposition of the encased, carved gift to "Icelanders of Washington Island" that now resides in the Archives.  It is the general mission of the Archives - partly due to space available - to receive and maintain documents and photos, but not to collect and display artifacts.  It would seem that the Town of Washington, as the recipient and owner, ought to prominently display this piece where it can best be seen and appreciated by citizens and visitors (and not relegated to a storage room).  

The value of this piece lies more in its cultural connections, rather than its monetary value, although Icelanders who venerate Einarsson's work might look differently on this artifact. 

- Dick Purinton

ICELANDIC CONNECTIONS

Archivist Janet Berggren (L) and volunteer Kirby Foss (R) assisted
Jonas Thor and his wife, Anna, at the Island Archives.

Detroit Harbor, Washington Island -

Jonas and Anna Thor of Reykjavik, Iceland, recently visited Washington Island for one week as our guests.  The Thors have traveled here before. Jonas led three tours of Icelanders as they traced the route of Icelandic immigration in the midwest.   On those tours, Hannes Andersen was their step-on Island guide, imparting local knowledge of settlement here.  Hannes himself had visited Iceland several times, and he maintained contact with cousins there.

I began email correspondence with Jonas Thor in the late spring of 2012, when he planned another tour of Washington Island (although that tour didn't materialize).  At one point in our exchanges, I referred to letters in Mary Jo’s possession that had been mailed to her great-grandfather, Arni Gudmundsen, between the years 1880 and 1930.   Jonas offered to translate them.  This “exchange” of old letters for translation is ongoing, and we both realized there could be more such letters on Washington Island, in attics or trunks, that would describe in fair detail the life and times of those who lived then in Iceland, as the family members corresponded  back-and-forth with one another over the years.

Icelandic immigration is a topic of longstanding interest of Jonas Thor’s.   He taught for ten years at the University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, wrote several books about Icelanders as they settled across North America, and more recently, through his historian's background he helps set up tours, both for tourists in Iceland, and for Icelanders who visit North America or Europe.

The tour company with which he is associated is Icelandic Farm Holidays, a cooperative of rural farm owners who provide lodging and meals for their guests.  These farms - like our B & Bs - are found at various locations rimming the coastline of Iceland.  There, tourism has been on the rise, with many visitors from European nations, but also from Japan and China.  Tours for Icelanders who travel abroad are with historical connections in mind, but they may also be simply traveler holidays.

Thor is eager to learn more about Washington Island’s Icelandic settlers:  family names; family stories; the location of individual family home sites; and even the whereabouts of individual Icelandic settler burial plots.  These sorts of things, he says, are of great interest to Icelanders, knowing where family members dispersed to and their history upon arrival in the new continent.  From our talks, it appears 

that Jonas already knows more than many of us do about our Island's early history.

Arni Gudmundsen (immigrated from
Iceland in 1873), wife Haldora,
 daughters Gudney Anna, Johanna Andrea,
Margaret Sigridur (mother of
Arni Richter.) Year unknown. 

It comes as no surprise, then, that in addition to speaking on this same topic at the Archives program Sunday afternoon, June 9th, Thor also spent a great deal of time at the Island Archives.  For a start, Archivist Janet Berggren provided Thor with an Index of Washington Island Icelandic immigrant family names. 

The Washington Island Archives intends to assist him in his research by encouraging Islanders to bring in Icelandic settler family photos, and letters sent to them by Icelandic relatives that need to be translated.  Because this topic is a big one, Thor has narrowed his interest for correspondence and photos to ones that date roughly 1870 - 1914, an era when over 16,000 Icelanders (equivalent to about 20% of the population) left Iceland for North America.  

Archives staff will scan old letters and family photos (with the owner retaining the originals), and then forward them by email to Jonas Thor.  In this way, both Icelandic files and the Island Archives will have copies. 

If this process can be streamlined and continued, Jonas Thor’s dream may be realized:  to eventually organize such available information on a website, so that interested people everywhere can benefit from those connections.

(Note:   I have a number of booklets that describe the various tour offerings of the Icelandic Farm Holidays company.  Ask me for one when you see me, if you’d like a copy. Otherwise, on the web go to:   www.farmholidays.is  )

-  Dick Purinton

IN THE ARCHIVES

Archivist Janet Berggren described
materials found in the Archives to
Aidan Purinton (center) and Atlas Beneda.

Detroit Harbor, Washington Island -

This morning, let's take a short break from talk of low water, dredging and winter storms to visit the Archives.

Last week I escorted grandsons Atlas and Aidan to the Archives where they met Janet Berggren, Archivist.   Atlas asked me as we walked to the Community Center, "What do they have in there, anyway?" and I suggested that would be a good question to start with once we were inside.

Aidan was particularly interested in a photo Janet had displayed on the Archives page several weeks ago in the Island Observer, that showed a dozen ladies, both seated and standing, from a century or more ago.  They all wore grim expressions in addition to their dark dresses as they posed for the camera.  In accompanying text, Janet asked if readers could identify the photo, or any of the ladies shown.  (She received at least one reader's response, that the photo showed a relative, and it was of the Detroit Harbor Ladies Aid Society, perhaps even the organization's charter group.

For some reason, Aidan thought the photo in the paper looked familiar, and he wanted to see the original.  Janet also made a copy of the photo for him to take home and study.

Janet gave the boys a quick tour of the vaults where photos and documents are maintained, and she opened one folder entitled, "Island Children."  Ih held, among the many photos, one of the boys' grandmother, Mary Jo, and her sisters.  Neither grandson recognized the three-year-old, considering the year it was taken.

Atlas was impressed that there were files on Island homes, of the home owners and properties, some with photos, and this might lead to a future visit as he researches his own home.

Looking up each boy's name in the computer master files, Janet found entries for each from when they participated in events or organizations that were featured in the Island paper, and consequently added to the Master File.

I appreciated the fact each boy was interested enough to want to return to the Archives some day soon, each with an idea of what they wished to find there.  Volunteers who work in the Archives often comment on how hard it is to accomplish their volunteer work when they're continually diverted by interesting photos or news items.  The amount of information contained within the Archives is never complete, and more historical documents are donated every week.

Sifting through Archives files can provide entertainment for interested visitors of all ages.
-  Dick Purinton