Richfield Historical Society

Richfield Historical Society Celebrates its
25th Anniversary in 2022

The Richfield Historical Society got its start in 1997. Many projects have been accomplished during its 25 years of existence. Throughout this year, accomplishments for each year will be listed. The list will grow throughout the year with a new one being published every 2 weeks. Check back often.

Accomplishment #1: 1997 -- RHS Got Started

Richfield Township experienced a great expression of historical interest in August of 1996 as it celebrated its sesquicentennial year. The township supported a private group of individuals in publishing a 500-page book, Richfield Remembers the Past, about the community’s 19th century heritage. As a result of these efforts, enthusiasm developed for establishing an all-volunteer historical society.
On September 26, 1996 a group of private individuals decided to organize an historical society. On November 11, 1996 an organizational meeting was held, and on January 30, 1997 the Richfield Historical Society (RHS) was created. The Officers were:
President: Marge Holzbog,
Vice President: Donna Schwenke
Treasurer:  Joyce Jung
Secretary: Barbara Nelson
Directors: Herb Lofy, Karleen Kraus, Chuck Kugel

There were 25 members with the number increasing to 59 by June, 1997. Click Here to see a list of the original members of RHS.

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Accomplishment #2: 1998 -- Messer/Mayer Mill Was Purchased

A Special Town Board Meeting was held in October of 1997 at which the Historical Society (Marge Holzbog & Herb Lofy) made a presentation proposing the purchase by the Town and restoration by the Society of the Messer/Mayer Mill.

On January 15, 1998 at a closed session, John Jeffords moved and Don Block seconded that the Town Board direct Town Administrator, Jerry O’Connor, proceed with purchase negotiations with the current owners of the mill (Kevin & Debra A. Kennedy) – Diane Pedersen, Imogene Rasmussen, Ralph Schulteis, Don Block & John Jeffords unanimously voted “yes.”

On January 31, 1998, the final purchase agreement was signed on behalf of Richfield Township as purchaser by Ralph Schulteis, Chairman, & Joyce Jung, Clerk, and as sellers Kevin & Debra A. Kennedy. The purchase amount was $135,000.00 with all funds drawn from fees that developers were required to pay to the Township Park Fund. The Mill sure looks different today. Go to the Richfield Historical Park and take a look.

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Accomplishment #3: 1999 -- First Thresheree

The Society realized that funds would be needed to restore the old mill and other buildings located in the Richfield Historical Park (the first project – replace the Mill roof). Therefore, the first Thresheree was held. It consisted of a half day, a few exhibitors, threshing, steam engine and plowing. Oh, how it has changed – 2 days, a field full of exhibitors, food, music, and much more. The threshing, plowing and steam engines are still a unique part of the event. Mark your calendars for Sept. 17 & 18, 2022. The Mill roof was replaced by volunteers.

 

 

 

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Accomplishment #4: 2000 -- Started Restoration of Mill House

Several projects were accomplished in 2000 such as a bridge built over the Coney Creek and getting the Mill ready for siding. However, attention focused on the house in which the families who ran the mill lived. The small room on the main floor was the first to be restored. Calcimine, a chalk-type finish used as a cost efficient, fast method for finishing plaster, was on the walls and was very difficult to remove. Stencils were found on the walls and were replicated.

 

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Accomplishment #5: 2001 -- Built the Horse Shed

Long ago in the Richfield Historical Park when the mill was operating, there was a horse shed. When the farmers would bring their wheat to the mill to be ground, they would put their horses in the shed to protect them from harsh weather or the hot sun. The women would go to the house and catch up on the latest news. The kids would fish or swim in the nearby mill pond. The horse shed collapsed as the years passed. When the Richfield Historical Society took on the adventure of restoring the property, the first building the volunteers erected was the horse shed. Timber framing methods were used to build the shed as was done long ago. It is in the same location as it was during the heyday of the mill. In the old photo above (1913), the horse shed is on the right.

 

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Accomplishment #6 – 2002 - Replaced Siding, Granary Started, Continued Restoration of the Mill House

The volunteers for the Richfield Historical Society were busy in 2002. Several projects were undertaken.

Replacement of the siding on the north and west side of the Messer/Mayer Mill. The volunteers had several painting parties during which each piece of siding was primed and given a couple coats of paint. These parties were great fun and provided much camaraderie among the members.

The granary foundation was started. This building once stood in Lake Bernice. It was donated and the RHS volunteers dismantled it.

 

Continued the restoration of the Mill House: the pantry and parlor.

Pantry Before

Pantry After

Parlor Before

Parlor After

 

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Accomplishment #7 – 2003 - Messer Barn , Siding on Mill, Granary

The volunteers for the Richfield Historical Society were very busy in 2003. Many projects were undertaken, so it is hard to feature just one for that year. Therefore, several are highlighted:

Started the Messer Log Barn which was originally located on Elmwood & Hwy 164. It was once owned by Philip Messer who was brother to Andrew Messer, operator of the saw and grist mills in the Richfield Historical Park.

 

 

Siding on the North and West sides of the Messer/Mayer Mill.

 

 

Granary – To raise the walls, several volunteers used 'bent poles' to push up the 'bents'.

 

 

 

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Accomplishment #8 – 2004 – Mill Siding South; Continued Work on Granary & Messer Barn

In 2004, the RHS volunteers continued working on projects that were started in 2003.

The siding on the south side of the Mill was completed.

 

 

The roof was put on the Granary.

 

 

 

 

 

Log walls were put in place on the Messer barn.

 

 

 

 

 

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Accomplishment #9 – 2005 – Sugar Shack Built; Cedar Roof on Barn; Adoption of RHS Logo

Some new projects were completed in 2005:

The sugar shack was built by Darrin Dumke as his Eagle Scout project. What a great improvement for the Maple Sugar Team. Before this was built, the sap was boiled outside in all types of weather.

 

 

The barn west of the Mill House was given a new cedar roof to replace the deteriorating one.

 

 

 

 

After much discussion and reviewing a phlethora of designs, a logo was adopted for the Richfield Historical Society.

 

 

 

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Accomplishment #10 – 2006 – Purchased the Superior Engine; New Cedar Roof on the Mill House; Listed on the Wisconsin Register of Historic Places

In 2006, much was accomplished. Here is what happened:

A Superior Gas Engine was purchased. The millstones in the Messer/Mayer mill were originally powered with water. Later, the stones were powered by a gas engine. A gas engine similar to the one that was once used was purchased.

 

A new cedar roof was installed on the Mill House.

 

 

 

 

 

The original buildings in the Richfield Historical Park were registered on the Wisconsin Register of Historic Places--Messer/Mayer Mill, Mill House, Smokehouse, Woodshed, and Barn.

 

 

 

 

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Accomplishment #11 – 2007 – Moved the Lillicrapp Welcome Center; Completed the restoration of the woodshed, outhouse and smoke house.

The Society felt that a building was needed as a possible Welcome & Research Center. An historic home located on Amy Belle Lake was donated and moved to the Park. It is located on the land to the north of the Mill. It currently houses a general store representative of days long ago.

 

 

The restoration of 3 buildings was completed:

Woodshed – This building was once used to store the wood that was used to heat the mill house. There also was a pidgeon loft. It currently houses butchering, shoemaking and tool displays.

 

 

 

Outhouse – is a two-holer and is located south of the mill house. There has never been plumbing inside the house.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Smokehouse – Until electricity and refrigeration came to the mill house, the meat was smoked and then hung in an upstairs room. It currently has a display of meat smoking during RHS events.

 

 

 

 

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Accomplishment #12 – 2008 – Christmas at the Richfield Historical Park and replacement of etched glass window in the door of the Mill House.

Celebrating Christmas at the Richfield Historical Park started in 2000 as a gathering for RHS members. It evolved through the years and became part of the Lions’ Christmas in Richfield event. The Mill House and Lillicrapp Welcome Center were (and still are) festively decorated, tasty homemade cookies were enjoyed and music rang in the holiday season. Kids loved to find the pickle on the Christmas tree.

 

This is Lulu Mayer (a member of the Mayer family who lived in the mill house) standing by the door in the mill house. In this door was a unique etched glass window. This was destroyed when the property was vacant. It was always the dream to recreate it. An ad was placed in a Wisconsin magazine asking if anyone had a door with the same design. Miraculously, a person came forward. One of our talented volunteers drove to the residence and did a rubbing of the design. He then painstakingly etched the design in glass and now the carved door looks just as it did many years ago.

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Accomplishment #13 – 2009 – The Motz Log Cabin and Messer Log Barn were completed and dedicated at the Thresheree, First Art at the Mill, the deteriorating foundation of the Messer/Mayer Mill was stabilized and the Richfield Historical Park became a Washington County Landmark.

The Motz Log Cabin and Messer Log Barn which are located on the south end of the Richfield Historical Park were completed in 2009 and then dedicated at the Thresheree.

 

 

 

 

The first Art at the Mill was held on July 25. It was felt the Richfield Historical Park was the perfect venue to promote the Park and be a fundraiser. There were 17 artists; this has grown to over 90.

 

 

 

It was discovered that the foundation of the Messer/Mayer Mill was in very poor and deteriorating condition. Something needed to be done to stabilize it until funds could be raised to rebuild the foundation. A company was hired to put jacks and other supporting devices in the basement as well as sensors to determine if cracks were widening.

 

 

 

The Messer/Mayer Mill was designated as a Washington County Landmark.

 

 

 

 

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Accomplishment #14 – 2010 – New roof and basement repairs on the Lillicrapp Welcome Center; First Antique Appraisal and Chili Luncheon was held.

When the house that is now the Lillicrapp Welcome Center was moved from Amy Belle Lake to the Richfield Historical Park, the roof was in need of replacement. The new cedar shingle roof was put in place by Society volunteers.

 

Because the Society is very interested in artifacts from long ago, it was felt that others may be interested in finding out what their heirlooms would be worth. The Antique Appraisal was held as a fun event as well as a fundraiser with the first one being held outside at the Park (unfortunately no photos of this). Later this event was moved to the Richfield Fire Hall and a chili luncheon was added.

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Accomplishment #15 – 2011 – Lean-to on Granary, Stairs to 2nd Floor in Messer/Mayer Mill

RHS needed additional storage space, so a lean-to was built on the granary. It has since come in handy to serve food at the popular Maple Syrup Family Day.

 

 

 

 

In order to have a better flow for visitors to the Messer/Mayer Mill, a 2nd stairway was built. Visitors would go to the 2nd floor via the original stairway and return to the 1st floor using the new stairs.

 

 

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Accomplishment #16 – 2012 – Elevator in Messer/Mayer Mill Restored, Interesting Programs, Informational Sign for Log Buildings

 

Using gravity, grain was carried from floor to floor using sets of elevators in the Messer/Mayer Mill. One set of these elevators has been restored and is operational.

 

 

 

 

The Richfield Historical Society provides interesting and entertaining eight monthly programs for its members and the public. These are held the 3rd Thursday (November is usually the 2nd Thursday due to Thanksgiving) of the month (except June-August, December). In 2012, three of the programs featured the Titanic, the Orphan Train, and well-known interpreter, Jessica Michna, portraying Dolley Madison.

 

 

 

In the Richfield Historical Park, there are several large attractive signs describing some of the buildings. The sign for the Motz Log Cabin and Messer Log Barn was installed between these two buildings on the south end of the Park in 2012.

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Accomplishment #17 – 2013 – Messer/Mayer Mill Foundation Restoration - Phase 1

After the Messer/Mayer Mill foundation was stabilized, fundraising began to raise the money to restore the entire foundation. When enough was raised, Phase 1 began in 2013 and consisted of restoration of the north wall as well as portions of the east and west walls.

 

 

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Accomplishment #18 – 2014 – Informational Sign for Mill House; Continued Fundraising for Messer/Mayer Foundation Restoration

The attractive informational sign sharing the history of the Mill House was erected.

Fundraising continued for the restoration of the Messer/Mayer Mill foundation.

 

 

 

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Accomplishment #19 – 2015 – Phase 2 of Messer/Mayer Mill Foundation Project; Mill House Repainting/Repairs; Recognition Brick Walkway

Phase 2 of the Messer/Mayer Foundation project was completed consisting of a paved pathway to the basement and a retaining wall with a decorative security railing.

 

 

 

 

The Mill House was repainted and repairs made to the cedar shingle roof.

 

Recognition bricks which had been purchased to support the project to “Get the Mill Running” were placed in a walkway located outside the Lillicrapp Welcome Center. If you would like to purchase a brick, visit: Make a Gift to the Messer/Mayer Mill Restoration Fund (richfieldhistoricalsociety.org)

 

 

 

 

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Accomplishment #20 – 2016 – Restored Bolting Machine in the Messer/Mayer Mill

In the Messer/Mayer Mill, 2nd floor, one of the original pieces of equipment is a bolting machine. The bolting machine sifted the ground meal into various grades. Bolting is done by means of reels or sieves covered with wire or silk cloth with a mesh size that would reduce the finished flour to desired grade. This machine was restored to its original condition.

 

 

 

 

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Accomplishment #21 – 2017 – Blacksmith Shop Completed; Messer/Mayer Mill Repainted.

The Blacksmith Shop located on the south end of the Richfield Historical Park was completed. The shop was built by RHS volunteers and visitors enjoy seeing ‘smiths’ demonstrating their skills during events. Inside the blacksmith shop are horseshoe with engraved names. If you would like to purchase a horseshoe to be displayed, click here.

The Messer/Mayer Mill was repainted.

 

 

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Accomplishment #22 – 2018 – Messer/Mayer Mill Foundation Restoration Completed

After many years of fundraising, the remainder of the deteriorating foundation of the Messer/Mayer Mill was restored. This consisted primarily of the south end which is the tallest of the foundation walls.

 

 

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Accomplishment #23 – 2019 – Bell Kiosk

A unique bell was donated to the Richfield Historical Society. A good location for it would be the south end of the Park in a kiosk. Young visitors like to ring the bell, and it is especially useful during Education Day at the Park for visiting 3rd graders. The bell is rung when it is time to change ‘stations’. A “You Are Here” map created by one of the RHS talented volunteers shows the Park and the location of buildings and trails. It is located in the bell kiosk.

 

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Accomplishment #24 – 2020-21 – Bridge Over Coney Creek

For many years, there was a pedestrian bridge over Coney Creek in the Richfield Historical Park. It was located in the southeast corner of the exhibiting field. This bridge was deteriorating and needed to be replaced. After receiving approval from the DNR, it was rebuilt as a vehicle crossing. Now, during the Thresheree and any other RHS events, tractors can easily move into position for the parade and the people movers can follow a circuit around the grounds making stops at all the attractions.

 

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Accomplishment #25 – 2021-22 – Engine Shed

The Messer/Mayer Mill originally had an engine shed attached to the south end. This was the location of the engine which powered the millstones when the water level was low. The shed deteriorated and collapsed. In 2006, RHS purchased a Superior engine similar the one originally in the Mill. Therefore, the shed needed to be rebuilt. An all-volunteer crew has been working on the shed for the last couple of years, and it is now near completion. It looks as if it has always been there as it matches the exterior of the Mill perfectly, even to the stone foundation.

 

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