Top: Marta Pan, Floating Sculpture No. 3, 1972. Photo credit: Rick Ebbers/McDill Design / For the rest: Thinkstock / Maggie Vaughn
It’s disguised, but you can still hear traces of the etymology of the term “heritage” in the word itself, and this trace casts light on the word’s meaning. Long story short: a heritage is that which is inherited. Wisconsinites are the unknowing beneficiaries of a great deal of history. Here’s a peek into a few of our inheritances.
The Lynden Sculpture Garden opened to the public on May 30, 2010. It’s origin is less populist but not uninteresting on that account. The names Harry Lynde Bradley and Margaret (Peg) Blakney Bradley are redolent of great wealth and the impression is not misleading. Harry Bradley was an inventor, industrialist and co-founder of the Allen-Bradley Company with his brother, Lynde Bradley, which the two managed to build into one of Wisconsin’s most successful manufacturing concerns. After Harry and Peg married in 1926 they moved to a nearly forty-acre tract of land and named it Lynden after Harry’s brother. Over the years the Bradley’s modeled the land after an English country park and decorated it with the monumental contemporary sculptures that have cemented Lynden’s reputation as an important part of Wisconsin’s heritage.
The celebration of Lynden’s Fifth Anniversary on May 30 (from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.) will include kite making/flying, planting a butterfly garden, exploring the natural life at Lynden, art projects, an exhibition of bonsai trees, a falafel food truck and beer tasting. A schedule of events can be found at Lynden’s website. Admission to the festivities is free for members and otherwise included in general admission.
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At a mere 10 acres, Trimborn Farm was indeed born trim when it was built by German immigrants in the 1850s. At its peak, the property grew to over 530 acres, but these days it has tightened its belt to cover a humble seven-and-a-half acres. Still, as the National Register of Historic Places will tell you, Trimborn Farm is as historic as ever. The property is particularly loved by Civil War and WWII re-enactors for an atmosphere that recalls both the U.S. South and Germany during those wars.
On June 6 and 7, the Milwaukee County Historical Society will host the First Annual Trimborn Heritage Weekend at Trimborn Farm Historical Park in Greendale. From 10-4 p.m. both days, visitors will “walk through history” as they find themselves among re-enactors of different time periods and a variety of history-related presentations. The timeline covers the Colonial period, the Civil War, World War II and the Cold War. The Trimborn Heritage Weekend should appeal to individuals of all ages and degrees of historical knowledge. Admission is $5 per person. Food vendors will be on-site, with parking available nearby. All historical buildings will be open for viewing with some housing activities. For more information, call the Milwaukee County Historical Society (414-273-8288) or visit milwaukeehistory.net.
As the inventor of the solid body electric guitar and other indispensable music technologies, Les Paul—aka the Wizard of Waukesha—has earned the eternal gratitude of contemporary popular music. It is only right, then, that Waukesha celebrate the 100th anniversary of Les Paul’s birth on June 9, 1915. On Tuesday, June 9, the Waukesha County Museum's celebration will feature the Les Paul: The Wizard of Waukesha exhibit, the musical stylings of Kelly and the Soulmates and a silent auction with autographed Les Paul items. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased here.
On Saturday, June 6, the Milwaukee Chamber Theatre (MCT) is hosting “Cheers to Chamber! Swingin’ into the 40s: A 40th Anniversary Celebration.” The gala contains delights for all the senses: the eyes will feast on the architecture of the historic and elegant Milwaukee Club while the taste buds feast on sumptuous hors d’oeuvres, complimentary cocktails and a gourmet dinner prepared by Chef David P. Magnasco. To really transport attendees back to the 1940s, live music from the big band era will be authentically rendered by (the Shepherd Express’ own!) John Schneider and Mrs. Fun. The evening will also feature silent and live auctions with items including a private dining experience in the historic Miller Brewery caves; a walk-on role in MCT’s production of Love Stories featuring Jim Pickering and Tami Workentin; a Milwaukee Brewers luxury box for twenty; a Chicago theater trip; and many other unique experiences and opportunities. Event tickets are $175 per person, with proceeds benefiting Milwaukee Chamber Theatre’s artistic and education programming. For more information, contact Milwaukee Chamber Theatre at 414-276-8842.
