LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHERS Karen Klenke of Niagara, Wis., left, and Mary Spera will be featured this summer at the Jake Menghini Historical Museum in Norway. The summer series theme is “Photography Thru the Ages.” (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)
NORWAY — The Jake Menghini Historical Museum of Norway will celebrate “Photography Thru the Ages” this summer.
The museum at 105 Odill Drive opens to the public on Wednesday.
This year’s main display focuses on cameras and photographic equipment and how the hobby has changed over the years.
“We have quite a collection of antique cameras, with some dating back to the 1880s,” Museum Director Mark Sertich said. “It is very interesting to see how they have changed over time.”
In addition, the families of two former local residents, Edwin Meneghini and Robert Williams, have contributed their equipment, along with samples of their work.
THE JAKE MENGHINI Historical Museum, 105 Odill Drive in Norway, opens Wednesday. Summer hours are 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Menghini was a lifelong resident of Norway and served as the police chief for many years. He later became a professional photographer. Williams, of Vulcan, was known for his work with the Norway Current.
Each month, the museum will showcase four of the area’s talented photographers.
This month, well-known professional photographer Karen Klenke of Niagara, Wis., will display several of her portraits along with her scenic shots that have earned her awards.
Norway resident Mary Spera, who has been a fixture at community events and local high school sports over the years, will set up her work for the month of July.
In August, Diane Westrich of Vulcan, who is a four-seasons photographer, will display her sunsets, flowers and landscapes.
On Leif Erikson Day, Oct. 4, wildlife photographer Alex Melelli, a Norway High School graduate now of Kalamazoo, will share his work with the public.
Another summer highlight will be pieces donated by the Tyrolean Trentino Club, which disbanded last year, that honors their Italian/Austrian heritage.
“The Italian display has been moved to the ladies room,” Sertich said.
The Jake Menghini Museum is made up of three buildings — the main building, the Odill farmhouse and Jake’s original cabin.
The museum’s “town” features its many donations of artifacts and historic memorabilia that residents of the Norway, Vulcan, Loretto and Waucedah area have given to them over the years.
Guests can walk around the “sidewalk” to discover a turn-of-the-century general store, hardware store and school room; a 1950-1960s dentist office; city jail with an actual cell; and Asp furniture and undertaking business.
“You will see the first Maytag wringer washer and a set of very rare women’s boots,” Sertich said. “Visitors get a kick out of the Asp exhibit — they offered everything for a funeral, from caskets to men’s and women’s clothing.”
New in the Asselin Creamery section are recently purchased milk bottles that have never been seen before.
The military displays in the main area have some new addition.
First, Lt. Joseph DeRidder’s family donated several pieces of memorabilia that include his service flag, medals and his dress uniform. “We also have a replica of the B-17 plane that DeRidder was co-piloting when he was shot down in Germany during World War II,” Sertich said.
The first floor of the Odill farmhouse, one of Norway’s oldest homes, is filled with pieces of furniture from that time period.
“Memorabilia from the family’s soda pop manufacturing business is also on display in the home,” he added.
Jake Menghini’s original log cabin museum building, which was moved to the property in 2018, features many of his collections.
Outside structures also house several pieces of antique farming and mining equipment.
“The museum has more than 1,700 items in their collection, with only about a third on display at a given time,” Sertich noted, adding the displays are changed each year to “keep them fresh.”
The public is welcome to do research in the archive room, which is filled with information on historical local residents and accounts of community events.
Work continues on the legacy project that was started 15 years ago by patrons of the museum. “These are documents of interviews of local World War II veterans, many who have passed away,” he said. “Those written transcripts are in the process of being digitized and in the future we hope to offer them on a YouTube channel or other media.”
They expect to complete this ongoing project by the end of the year, Sertich said.
They are also working toward converting all the records stored in the vault to digital, including photographs, newspaper articles, books and more.
“Even though it (the room) is climate controlled, pieces do deteriorate over time,” he explained. “We would like to get this done in the next few years.”
The museum welcomes volunteers at any time throughout the summer.
Anyone who has artifacts, historical photographs or articles they wish to donate can contact the museum.
The Norway City Band, under the direction of state Sen. Ed McBroom, will perform for the annual Music on the Farm on Tuesday, July 16. Tours will be from 5 to 6 p.m., with an ice cream strawberry social from 6 to 7 p.m., and the concert starting at 7 p.m.
Summer hours are 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Those wishing for special group tours can contact the museum at 906-563-5586. Tour guides are available.
For more information, go to the museum’s website at www.jakemenghinimuseum.org.
