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By SELMA WELDUM Special Writer ROCK . With the organization of a 4-H Folk patterns project in the Mid Peninsula School district area, the museum at the former Finn Hall west of Rock may become a reality sooner than originally thought possible. Through the efforts of its owner David Gasowski, the Finn Hall was declared a Michigan Historical site in 1978. With the development of the 4-H folk pattern project, a grant was received to gather historical data, which will be exhibited in the local museum and shared with Michigan State University museum in East Lansing. Presently, the group is working on restoring a plaster and canvas horse In Service GULLIVER — Army Pvt Susan M. Vallier, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Marvin J. Vallier of Route 1, Gulliver, Mich., is attending basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. During the training, students receive instruction in drill and ceremonies, weapons, map reading, tactics, military courtesy, military justice, first aid, and Army history and traditions that once carried a Joan of Arc figure at parades and other events of note (in cluding a Joan of Arc festival in Windsor, Canada.) . The horse dates back to the early 1900s when it was used to display harnesses at a Marquette blacksmith shop. The Joan of Arc figure was commissioned later by Msgr. Jodocy of Marquette. The wooden figure was made by Rev. Joseph Ling of Mackinac Island. The Jodocy name came up again for the Rock folk pattern group when it received a carving by Peter Jodocy, a St. Nicholas folk artist (Msgr. Jodocy's brother). The Folkpatterns group restored fullsize cedar carving of a conservation officer pointing to a rules book in front of a hunter shooting at a deer. The restored Jococy carvings will be displayed at the William Bonifas Art Center May 4-9 during a county 4-H project display. Joan of Arc and her horse will stay at the Finn Hall Museum in Rock as a per manent display, Gasowski said. These and other projects are made possible through a $750 grant through Michigan State University from the National En dowment for the Humanities, a federal agency established to promote research, education and public activities in the humanities The grant money is used to purchase supplies needed to restore artifacts as well as to photograph and tape record data Volunteer leaders and 4-H members supply equipment like tape recorders, cameras and dark rooms as well as the travel time needed to preserve the history of Turin and Ewing townships in Marquette County and Baldwin and Maple Ridge townships in Delta County (all in the Mid Peninsula School District.) History is an on-going memory bank of the past, present and future. It will be eserved by tape recorded interviews, written doc uments, photographs, artifacts, and other memorabilia of traditions, ethnic backgrounds, customs and history, before it is destroyed, forgotten unwritten history. Future generations will be able to view and learn about the heritage of the area. Information will be made available to groups or in dividuals doing research, or for those just coming to view the displays at the museum. “It is important for youth of today to know and un derstand their roots as in dividuals and those of their community in order to better understand themselves,’ Gasowski said. Through the formation of a community based com mittee for leadership and guidance, the 4-H leaders and members will research, preserve and document the information. As a fringe benefit, folk pattern project members learn skills in photography and in restoring damaged articles. The folkpattern development committee consists of Gasowski as project leader; Helen Walker, Delta County 4-H program assistant who originates from the area; Toini Niemela, and Jenny Lancour, whose Finnish ancestors settled in the area in the early 1900's. Also assisting iss intendent of Mid Pen schools, Gene DeKeyser, teacher Vern Nelson of the history department, and Joan Kituik, student teacher. Folks in the Mid Pen area or anyone who has photographs, information, or other memorabilia may contact Gasowski at 356- 6322. Any donations of photos, information, or articles will be appreciated. If the individual wishes them returned, they will be photographed and the original returned. NO HORSING AROUND — Students working with the 4-H Folk patterns project in Rock are combining local history study with art. Here, the students are shown working on restoring a plaster and canvas horse which once carried a Joan of Arc figure. The unique study project was funded with a federal grant which helps pay for supplies. Once artifacts are restored and data collected, the items will move to a local museum being created in the former Finn Hall west of Rock. The hall was designated as a Michigan Historical site. David Gasowski is project leader.: (Nancy Lancour Photos) °
Newspaper Details
Escanaba Daily Press
Escanaba, Michigan, US
Fri, May 01, 1981
Page 2
Full Page
Clipped by
Lisa S.
