We update this directory on a regular basis as changes occur during the year, so come here first to get the latest version. This was updated last on 7/10/2023.

Henry presented information about the Charles Hermann stoneware company which operated between 1856 and 1886 in Milwaukee on the Milwaukee river.  Henry has an extensive collection of Hermann wares ranging from ovoid decorated jugs to simple Albany or salt glazed jars, crocks and jugs.  Many are signed and decorated but many are not.  Hermann was a prolific producer and many pieces of stoneware can be found today.  Henry discussed the history of the company, showed examples of his ware, advertising items and other remnants for the company.

Linda Hoffman has been published in two articles for the American Breweriana Journal about her family‘s role in brewing history of the iconic, original ‘Girl in the Moon’. The National Brewery Museum in Potosi, Wisconsin has part of her collection on display. This presentation covers her Great Uncle Thomas Holmes, the Chicago born artist and illustrator with her grandmother Ruth and family as Tom’s models in advertising. Linda has researched this subject for over 18 years and resides in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Henry and Peter discuss recent digs at the site of the James Williams Depot Pottery - one at a privy next to the pottery and another directly in front of the pottery. Dozens of shards and one intact flower pot was recovered.  Some of the forms identified include jugs, crocks, jars, milk pans, flower pots, and mixing bowl.  Some pieces were found that were decorated and some were undecorated but  most had the typical orange or yellow lead glaze. However there were a couple of surprises including a footed jar with a slate grey glaze. It appears that this pottery used the fern leaf motif.

Over a dozen shards were found on the surface at the site of the Milz/Ohnhaus pottery with permission of the owner.  These piece showed great diversity of glaze used. One piece was decorated but unfortunately did not have enough to identify the flower.  More shards will be needed from this site.

Coincidentally on the morning of the presentation the owner of a house on the site of Whitewater's first pottery at North and Freemont emailed photos of two shards just discovered there.

There were four potteries that operated in Whitewater between 1845 and 1872 and virtually none were marked, making it impossible to attribute know pieces to a particular producer.  These shards are a first step in doing so. Many more shards need to be collected, photographed and studied and it is hoped that eventually a clearer picture of the types of wares produced by each pottery will emerge.

John Schoenknecht gave a fascinating presentation on the history of the Hygeia Mineral Spring. John described a nearly violent confrontation that occurred in Waukesha over water rights. The “war” resulted from an ill-fated attempt to run a 6” pipe from the spring to Chicago for the World’s Fair/Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893. It was the Hygeia construction crew workers who were going to connect the pipe to the well vs. the citizens of Waukesha who would not tolerate it. Ultimately a battle was averted and the workers were turned away - twice. A pipeline was built from a nearby Big Bend and had the concession at the fair with hundreds of water stands at the fair selling water for 1 cent per glass. The company spent over a million dollars and was bankrupted.
John brought a section of the pipe, some bottles, etched advertising glasses, advertising china and lots of interesting photographs. It was a great presentation. It was video recorded by Rick Tyler.

Wisconsin has far more varieties of stoneware bottles than surrounding states with over 160 different varieties. Peter’s presentation covered the history of stoneware bottles, what they contained, who manufactured them, how they were made, how to date stoneware bottles, closures, glazes, decorations and other information about them. It appears that Charles Hermann was responsible for a large percentage of the bottles produced but there are still many that we just don’t know. There are also some that look like local pieces with initials or names we have not identified yet.

Andrew is a direct descendant of Ch. Munzinger who was a brewer and soda bottler located on the south side of Milwaukee in the 1880’s and 1890’s. Andrew collects information and artifacts related to the brewery. He has a sizable collection of bottles, photographs, articles and various other items related to the brewery. His presentation covered the man, his partners, family history and timeline of Munzinger.

Henry Hecker’s presentation covered Iglehart’s illustrious public and private life with special focus on his last four years of his life in Pewaukee. Henry showed a number of artifacts related to Oakton Springs including a stereopticon photo of the hotel and a 3 gallon jug stenciled with “Oakton Springs Water.” A special treat was the fact that the Kirley family, the current owners of the Octagon house in Pewaukee were in the audience. Colonel Iglehart lived in the Octagon house during his stay in Pewaukee. The Kirley’s were thrilled to learn about Iglehart and shared some of the ghost stories of this incredible home.
A number of Historical Society members were able to augment Henry’s research during open discussion. Finally, the most amazing part of the meeting was the appearance of a previously unknown 3 gallon Oakton Springs stoneware jug brought to the meeting by the Sampsons, Pewaukee residents. The jug is a family heirloom that has remained in Pewaukee for almost 150 years and will someday likely find a home in the Museum collection.

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