ANNUAL REPORT

BARNES AREA HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION

2005

 

This year was the 100th birthday of the Town of Barnes. A big Centennial celebration had been in the planning stages for several years. As a result of funding needs and interest in the collection and preservation of historical records, stories and photographs, the Barnes Area Historical Association (BAHA) was founded on September 30, 2004.

 

The Centennial Committee and BAHA worked to make 2005 a year to celebrate our history and formulate a plan for the future.

 

The accomplishments of this effort were:

 

Founder’s Day Dinner, May 12, 2005

 

             100 Members of the community honored the “official birth” of Barnes.

 

             Claudia Draganowski prepared the food which was served by the Homemakers Club. Table arrangements were

               provided by the Gordon-Barnes Garden Club.

 

             Judi Scholz hosted the event which included a community sing and a ringing of bells to welcome the next 100 years.

 

Centennial Celebration, June 24, 25 and 26

 

             Opening ceremonies with VIPS: Representative Gary Sherman and Senator Bob Jauch spoke in honor of Barnes’

100th birthday.

             Following the speeches were the Parade of Beards and Parade of Costumes.

             Music and dancing rounded out Friday night activities.

 

Saturday events included a Family Bike Ride and Historical Tour, Quilt and Fiber Arts Show, Historical demonstrations (black powder shooting, gunsmithing, archery, logging, blacksmithing, farming, engraving, etc.), Classic car show, Kids games, Community picnic and live music and the Barnes Historical Review (a variety show with singing, dancing and story telling). The raffle drawing ended the show and music and dancing followed.

Food, drink and music were available throughout the celebration and members of BAHA had a fund raising booth where buttons, coffee mugs, beer glasses, the Historical Calendar, Barnes Historical Book and History Tour Guide and Raffle tickets were sold.

 

Sunday morning an Ecumenical church service was held followed by a pie and ice cream social.

The celebration concluded with words of thanks to the community and a vision for the next 100 years.

 

*** It is important to acknowledge the involvement of the community in this spectacular event. Barnes organizations and individuals donated labor, materials and funds to make this a success. Historical sites with signage were constructed by the Conservation Club. The Lion’s Club and VFW provided food and the list continues as many sponsors ($500.00 minimum) and donors contributed funds needed to make the celebration possible.

 

Museum:

 

             A temporary museum was set up in the Town Hall. Items to represent historical themes were donated by community

members. Displays included logging and farming days, an old fashioned kitchen, school days and the “roaring

twenties”. A comprehensive collection of photos and other memorabilia depicting the resort days, family history and

everyday life was artfully displayed in the center of the museum.

The museum was well received by the community. Without exception, those who attended were extremely pleased with the efforts of BAHA and the Centennial Committee.

 

Publications:

 

             Barnes Centennial Historical Calendar 1905-2005

             Quentin Ruprecht

            

             Centennial Booklet including Barnes history and Historical Tour

             Nori Newago

 

             BARNES: A BREATH OF “FRESH AIR”

             A Centennial Collection: The Place, The People, The Community

             Barnes and the Eau Claire Lakes 1905-2005

             David Thorson

 

Memberships:

 

             There were 13 memberships for 2004-2005 which were given the distinction of “Charter Member”. For the year 2006

BAHA recruited 6 new members. There was a membership drive as the Centennial book, BARNES:A BREATH OF “FRESH AIR” was being distributed. BAHA will have the opportunity in days ahead to add more members to the organization.

 

Goals:

 

The ultimate goal, of course, is to establish a museum in the Town of Barnes. With the response that we had for the “temporary” museum, we know that many community members are enthusiastic about making this a reality. BAHA will continue to work towards this end; we have many talented and energetic people who can make this happen.