Circus Lover

 You never know what a family scrapbook might contain.

The Thornton Library just recently became the recipient of some family albums belonging to the family of Dr. Don. Burns, a well-known Fond du Lac dentist.

Dr. Burns loved the circus.  He had season passes.  

1915 circus at Fond du Lac at the fairgrounds.

Circus in Whitewater 1936

Plumbing School, Newburgh NY

 This photo is from the McCoy family collection.   It shows graduates of a plumbing school in Newburgh, NY in 1902, and one of the graduates is John P. McCoy, who was a plumber in Fond du Lac.  Sure looks like the back wall was their final exam!

Members of this group, as listed in a sign in the picture are: J P McCoy, Fond du Lac, WI; W Palmer, Port Huron, Mich; P J McMonagle, Port Huron, Mich; W M Spencer, East Jordan, Mich; Clarence E Lewis, Fall River, Mass; Harry R Turby, Wilkesbarre, Penn; C G Fuller, Rochester, NY; Leo Ladd, Hoosick Falls, NY; J M Krakauer, Chihuahua, Mexico; Alex List, New York City.    J P McCoy is in the group on the left, standing next to the water heater.

Children

 Came across these pictures while cataloging photos.  Photos of children are always fun to look at. These pictures all came from the same photo album, but no name on the album.

German Pictures of WWI

 Someone from Fond du Lac must have had a connection, because I recently came across some fascinating (but damaged) pictures of German soldiers and their elaborate trenches, from World War I.

[lesson #1 -  a piece of tissue paper between the pages, would have kept the image or glue from the opposite page from sticking to the facing page.

Lesson #2 - if the pictures are totally glued to the scrapbook page (not just the corners) do not try to remove the picture.

Lesson #3 - keep scrapbooks in a dry place. Moisture will cause pages to stick together.]

Photos of Clergy and Religious

While re-cataloging the photos in the Thornton Library, I came across an album that had several images of priests and nuns. The album belonged to/was donated by Helen Duritas, but no further information is available on its origins.

These are all 'carte de visite' cards, introduced in the 1850's but their peak popularity was in the 1860's and into the 1870's.  Carte de visite cards faded in popularity because of their size (the size of a playing card) when larger 'Cabinet Cards' were introduced.

Most of these images were taken in Fond du Lac, but there are no names to go with the images.

Recognize any of these pictures?

Photo taken at the studio of J.W. Dillon, Fond du Lac. [Dillon in business from 1860 to 1904]

Photo taken in studio of J. W. Dillon

Photo taken at O. E. Wilkin's Gallery in Fond du Lac.  [Wilkins in business from 1868-1876]

Photo taken at the studio of J.W. Dillon, Fond du Lac.

This photo taken at McNamara Studio, Brooklyn, E.D. [E.D. is probably Eastern District]

Photo taken by C.R. Smith, Photographic Artist, 420 Third Ave (Old No. 386) Between 29th and 30th Sts., New York.  Colorizing the photo was very rare.

Photo taken at the studio of R.A. Spink, Fond du Lac, WI.  [Spink is only listed in the 1872-73 city directory]

 

Convent of the Holy Nativity

The convent of the Holy Nativity may have been destroyed by fire, but these photographs taken in 1999, show a beautiful structure that once existed in our community.  Thank you to Maria Townsend, for donating these photos to the Historical Society.

Inside the Amory St. Entrance

Windows in the Bishop's library.

Sr. Margaretta in the library. Painted faux marble fireplace not visible. Bishop's library beyond.

 

Former Chapel - note statuary & design similar to St. Paul's Cathedral.

Former Convent of the Holy Nativity Chapel has now been deconsecrated & dismantled. Statuary and elements outlined have been removed, revealing bare plaster & subfloor. Altar and some pews remain.

First floor common room. Note fireplace & light fixtures.

Large dining room off of kitchen.

Former convent of the Holy Nativity, East Side.  Porches above carport each have a brick fireplace. Water tower contains 3 large tanks.

Commercial grade kitchen in basement.

Bookshelves & fixtures of both libraries remain in place. This view faces toward the library.

Lending library: Note brick fireplace.

Mother Maria's office (picture 1)

Mother Maria's office (picture 2). Note combination gas & electric wrought iron light fixtures, wood floor and mouldings, transom above door to hallway.

Former Convent of the Holy Nativity (view from Amory St. west side of building) ca. 1904

Sitting room in Amory Mansion/Bishop's residence, features inlaid floors & marble fireplace.

Statues in Alcoves such as this have been removed.

Window facing Amory St. from the Bishop's library (west wing).

Summer baking kitchen.