Submitted by the Manitowoc County Historical Society
Official Pinecrest Historical Village dedication, June 1977. Photo MCHS
Imagine a small travel trailer, its silver metal reflecting the heat of a warm Wisconsin summer day. In this make-shift storage shed works a small team of dreamers, wearing dress shirts and sweating as they look over land plans transforming the 40 acre farm field around them into an outdoor historical village. MCHS Board President Armond Kueter, Past President Joseph J. Rappel, and Pine Crest planning committee members had a vision for what our Society and museum could become and today we are entrusted with its success.
It was 50 years ago that the dream of creating a historical village came to life. Neighbors like you gave generously, held bake sales, and passed the offering basket again and again to secure treasured century old structures and build, debt-free, what would become Pinecrest Village.
When the first wave of visitors came to our museum in 1977, the future was far from guaranteed. Many sacrificed what little they had and their valuable time and energy to keep the gates open.
The Manitowoc County Historical Society and its Pinecrest Historical Village soon became part of the fabric of our community. It’s where the stories of our ancestors are preserved, where our family roots are shared, and where our triumphs, tragedies, and laughter will forever live. It’s the place we all count on to be there for us and for those of the future.
Now, as we come to celebrate the 50th anniversary of our Pinecrest Historical Village, we are again trusting in our community to ensure the outdoor museum’s sustainability and success for another 50 years.
Now, comprised of over 30 historic structures from throughout Manitowoc County, the museum is 100% funded by private individuals, businesses, and generous donors who believe in our mission to see our local history preserved and shared.
During the 1977 dedication of the Village, volunteer and committee member Edward Ehlert asked, “Where do we go from here”? He said that depends on you, your generosity, and your spirit.
As the Manitowoc County Historical Society looks to accomplish great tasks in the coming year, the organization is seeking the community’s support to make it happen. The museum is focusing on the following projects:
- General Store structural repairs ($37,000): The General Store, built in the 1870s, was originally located in the village of Clarks Mills, just four miles west of Pinecrest Historical Village. This 20 x 55 foot one-story frame building features a “Boomtown” or false front, gabled roof, recessed doorway and a hardwood floor. The General Store was operated by Michael and Catherina Pritzl prior to 1910 and by William and Rose Klann from 1910 to 1926. The building was purchased by Harold Morgan in 1926 who operated it as “Morgan’s Store” until his death in 1961. The building was sold again in 1977 to Dennis Jagodzinsky who operated it as DJ’s Appliance Sales and Service until 1983. The general Store was sold for one dollar to the Society by the United Savings and Loan Association of Manitowoc (now M&I Bank). It was moved in 1988. The front of the building was restored to its original appearance using double front doors and windows salvaged from the 1868 Killen General Store and post office razed in 1994 during the U.S. highway 10 relocation project at Cato, Wisconsin. Renovation work was guided by photographs and picture postcards of the store building from 1907 and 1909. The exhibit features counters, bins, barrels, crocks, jars, household items and farm supplies from the Society’s permanent collections, including historic items from the Schuette Brothers Company department store which was located in downtown Manitowoc from 1849 to 1994. Today, the general store is filled with activity. Over 3,000 youth visit the Pinecrest General Store each year to take part in various hands-on activities that bring to life the hustle and bustle of the mercantile at the turn of the 20th century.
- Meeme Poll House ($5,000): The Town of Meeme polling house was constructed just north of the Meeme House and was constructed by the previous proprietor Joseph Schwartz and Edmund Kolb in 1900. The building was moved to the museum in 2018 and work is in progress to restore the structure to its appearance around the year 1900. Once restored, the Meeme Poll House will again be host to community elections for Pinecrest Village by countless youth and adults taking part in interactive and educational programming.
- Niles Church roof repair ($80,000): The Niles Church was originally organized as the First Presbyterian Church of Eaton on November 26, 1858. On November 5, 1964 a letter was sent by J.D. Watson, Board of trustees, Presbyterian Church Milwaukee Presbytery to the Manitowoc County Historical Society inquiring “whether or not organization has any interest in acquiring the Presbyterian Church of Niles, Manitowoc County, Wisconsin.” The letter went on to say “This congregation was dissolved more than a year ago and the Presbyterian denomination feels that this building, in its present location, cannot be put to good use at this time in their work in this area.” The Society responded that they were interested in the building and made certain that the Milwaukee Presbytery had no objections to the building being moved to become part of a historical village.In the spring of 1968, an agreement was drawn up “ involving the sale of the building known as the Niles Church, located near Valders, Wisconsin, including the contents, for the sum of $300.00” — the remaining debt outstanding on the building. The agreement called for “an earnest money payment of $100.00 and the privilege of removing said building in a period of three years, depending upon the ability of the Society to acquire a new site for said building.” The Society was also required to provide liability and fire insurance as soon as the offer was accepted. Funding and sponsorship was received from the First Kiwanis Club of Manitowoc and the Niles Church was moved to Pinecrest Historical Village in March of 1972. The building was transported in three sections: steeple, fellowship area and sanctuary. The building was moved 16 miles from its original location on Highway 151, west of Valders. Considered a prime example of Gothic Revival architecture, the Niles Church continues to play a prominent role in the activities at Pinecrest as it did in the Niles community.
Our community of supporters have helped make our Manitowoc County Historical Society one of the leading museums in innovation and preservation across Wisconsin, and now it’s our turn, as the next generation, to expand this vibrant museum campus for our future. We’re just starting the conversation on what the future will look like. We know it will include more programs, opportunities for learning and travel, and a re-imagining of what history looks like.
The initial Pine Crest Village planning committee would never have dreamed that a small silver trailer in the middle of a field would one day blossom into a museum for over 12,000 annual guests. In the same way, together with your neighbors, you can redefine what our future looks like.
Our Manitowoc County Historical Society is an organization that remains a vital part of our community, continually pursuing new ways to preserve and share our heritage. Please join the Manitowoc County Historical Society’s community of supporters and give generously to provide a place where our local history lives.
To learn more about the Manitowoc County Historical Society and its Pinecrest Historical Village, please visit ManitowocCountyHistory.org or contact the museum at (920) 684-4445 or 924 Pinecrest Road, Manitowoc WI 54220.
