Oak Creek Historical Society

Sunday, June 9, 2024 – 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

“Lights of the Lakes”

Phillip L. Block – Author

 

Phillip L. Block a lifelong photographer, writer and lighthouse enthusiast who has visited over 250 lighthouses and a member of the Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers since 1985 will join us to present “Lights of the Lakes”. This hour-long program will teach you the history of these landmarks, famous shipwrecks, and the reasons they were needed.

 

Sunday, July 21, 2024 - 10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Blacksmith Demonstration & Tractor Showcase & Presentations

Dave Chvilicek of Trinity Forge

Pioneer Farm Machinery Club

 

Dave Chvilicek, a lifelong resident of Oak Creek, continues to practice blacksmithing today. Blacksmiths were an integral part of Oak Creek’s pioneer society during the 19th and early 20th centuries.  Besides shoeing horses, fixing wagons, and repairing farm implements, blacksmith shops were one of the key meeting places of the community. Come see Dave work his magic with forged metal as he demonstrates blacksmith techniques into pieces of art. Dave will also have some of his craft pieces available for sale. 

 

In addition to Dave's demonstration, there will be a display of antique tractors and other farm implements by the Pioneer Farm Machinery Club.  For over 44 years, the Pioneer Farm Machinery Club of Oak Creek, WI has been putting on shows annually of their vintage farm tractors, engines, and machinery for the public, to show what life was like in rural America in days gone by.

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We will also have three presentations in the museum Town Hall:

• 11:00 am to Noon

          James Heinz will discuss shipwrecks around Milwaukee including two shipwrecks off the               Oak Creek shore.

• 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm

           Mary Spicuzza, Milwaukee Journal/Sentinel investigative journalist, will talk about the                     unresolved car bomb murder of her cousin, Augie, in Milwaukee in 1978.

• 3 pm to 4 pm

           Meet the Mayor Dan Bukiewicz.  Listen to what the city is up to and ask questions.

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August 18, 2024 – 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

“Women Who Dared”

Jessica Michna as HERSELF

 

Jessica joins us again for a continuation to “Women Who Dared”. If you joined us last year, then you won’t want to miss this year’s presentation. Come learn more about the women (and men) who championed the cause of women’s suffrage in this country and overseas in the late 19th and early 20th century. Learn of the protests, jailing’s, victories, and defeats culminating with the signature of President Woodrow Wilson that would forever give women the right to vote.

 

Visit Oak Creek’s Library, 2nd floor, between July 24 – August 21 to see the traveling display called “We Stand on their Shoulders’ “: A History of Wisconsin Women and Voting. The 8-panel display explores moments when women in Wisconsin gained political rights and highlights key leaders. But don’t forget to mark your calendar for August 18, 2024, to learn more about women and voting from Jessica Michna, our August speaker of the month.