The Ephraim Historical Foundation's History Speaks lectures began in 1990 as a BYOC (Bring Your Own Chair) event. The series was always held at the Anderson Barn History Center, and carried anywhere from four to eight speakers on the schedule. Initially, the lectures were only open to Ephraim Historical Foundation members, but when the name of the series was formally changed to History Speaks, the Foundation opened up the lectures to the public.
Today, Door County residents and visitors alike attend the lectures to learn about the history of Ephraim. However, the lectures don't always focus on Ephraim history. "We like to show how Ephraim's history and families contributed to the county as a whole," says Sally Jacobson, Ephraim Historical Foundation's Executive Director and Curator.
History Speaks 2008 Schedule:
Tuesday, July 8
The Door to a Man's Heart: The Rogers Family in Peninsula State Park
Presenter: Barbara Rogers Foley
7:30 pm, Bethany Lutheran Church
The true story of a teenage summer romance that lasted for over 60 years! Warren Rogers and Betty Yule fell in love during the Great Depression while camping with their parents in Peninsula State Park. Their daughter, Ms. Foley, will present a program based on the book she has written about the couple's devotion to one another and Door County over generations.
Tuesday, July 15
Opening the Door to the EHF Collections
Presenter: Sally Jacobson, Curator, Ephraim Historical Foundation
7:30 pm, Anderson Barn History Center
Enjoy seeing and hearing about some of the wonderful pieces in the EHF museum collections and buildings. Advertising, letters, costumes, business records and more help illuminate the history of the village. Learn how we preserve, catalog, and handle our holdings, and the uses to which our collections are put for exhibits, publications, and research.
Tuesday, July 22
150 Years of Anderson Family History
Presenter: Marianne Kellman
7:30 pm, Anderson Barn History Center
The Anderson Family is one of the most well-known families in Ephraim, and created the early economic hub of the village with the Anderson Dock and the Anderson Store, which both celebrate their 150th anniversary this summer. Learn about the history of the Anderson family, along with their many contributions to the village, through this interesting slide show.
Tuesday, July 29
The Knutson Family in Ephraim
Presenter: Linda Mayhew Carey
7:30 pm, Ephraim Moravian Church
Granddaughter Linda Carey will relate the story of Peter Knutson, who came to Ephraim as a young man to start a family and founded one of the early hotels in Ephraim, the "Knutson House." Three generations of Knutsons worked in the resort, and the tale of his life and family epitomize the hardworking Scandinavian heritage that shaped Ephraim's early years.
