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WHEN & HOW THE NEW BREMEN HISTORIC ASSOCIATION WAS ORGANIZED [from Secretary’s
minutes, Sesquicentennial book, and early newsletters] [published in the
July 1996 “Towpath”] When a group of people held a friendly gathering in a backyard on the evening of Thursday, September 27, 1973, they discussed the sad loss of the Thompson Hotel and Livery at Lock 1 on the canal. They determined that another such building that was soon to be remodeled by its owner, Bruce Scheer, should be preserved. They approached Mr. Scheer about the possibility of buying the house for use as a landmark and museum. Thus the New Bremen Historic Association was organized as a non-profit group dedicated to the collection and preservation of the history of New Bremen and German Township. The twelve-room,
two-and-a half story house on North Main Street became the immediate subject
of a community restoration project.
The "Luelleman House", so named because that family
purchased it in 1868 and lived in it for more than seventy years, is one of
the first non-log-cabin structures in the original plat of 1833 in Bremen (as
it was then called.) The building is
believed to have been constructed about 1837, with an addition about 1846,
and renovations about 1876 and in the 1930s. On Sunday, September
30th, a second meeting was held at the library which was attended by Mary Ann
Brown, Jerry & Sue Maxson, Jeanette Hellwarth, Carl & Melba Roediger,
Greg Parrott, Mrs. Elmer Ende, Miss Marie Schrage, and Nancy Hack. It was decided to contact the major
industries and to talk to as many individuals as possible. On Wednesday,
October 3rd, another meeting was held and a motion was passed to form the
“New Bremen Historic Association”.
Holly Riebel, Emil Fledderjohann, and Jerry Maxson were appointed as a
committee to draft by-laws. A
steering committee was set up to take care of finance and membership. Appointed were John Poppe (also the
voluntary legal advisor), Jim Dicke II, Melba Roediger, Sue Maxson, and Greg
Parrott as a consultant. On November 5th,
eighteen people signed up for membership and an election of Officers and
Trustees was held (see below). On
December 3rd, a finance committee was named: Jim Moeller, John Gilberg,
Lester Blanke, John Poppe, Jim Dicke II, Vic Maurer, Emil Fledderjohann, John
Hoffman, and Holly Riebel. They were
to contact all businesses to seek pledges. On December 28,
1973, a letter was sent to the citizens of New Bremen, asking for pledges to
meet the initial purchase price of $15,500.
Over $7500 had already been pledged by local businessmen. By the January 15,
1974 meeting, a total of $17,021 in pledges had been received from 40
businesses and 169 pledge cards. On December 16,
1974, Irene Bay accepted the position of Corresponding Secretary. Marjorie Conradi was to be contacted about
becoming the Historian. She resigned
October 20, 1975, and Ollie Inman took over the job of keeping the
Historian's scrapbook. [Today, in
2008, Marge’s daughter, Genevieve Conradi is the Historian.] At the annual meeting on January 20, 1975, three new Trustees were named: Dave Anthony, Lois Moeller and Fred Wellemeyer. They replaced the departing 1-year Trustees. In May, 1975, Greg
Parrott resigned as Curator and was replaced in September by Janet
Fledderjohn. On February 17,
1975, it was decided that anyone who contributed $76.00 or more by July 4,
1976, would be considered a Charter Member and his/her/their name would be
placed on the Founders "Spirit of '76" Plaque in the museum.
As of November 17, 1975, 138 people had pledged $75.00 or more. On October 20, 1975,
a motion was passed to offer Life Memberships for $50.00. On July 4, 1976, as
the United States celebrated its 200th birthday, the town of New
Bremen turned out to dedicate its museum which was completely paid for by
pledges from over 130 interested people. JULY 4, 2008 MARKED
THE 35TH ANNIVERSARY OF THIS DEDICATION. FIRST OFFICERS OF
HISTORIC ASSOCIATION - 1973/74 President/2-yr. Trustee
.......................Victor Maurer Vice-President/3-yr.
Trustee...............John Hoffman Secretary/2-yr.
Trustee....................Melba Roediger Treasurer/1-yr.
Trustee...............Jeanette Hellwarth Trustee/1
year............................Emil Fledderjohann Trustee/1
year.......................................Sue Maxson Trustee/2 years......................................Holly
Riebel Trustee/3
years...............................Mary Ann Brown Trustee/3
years.........................................Mary Wint Curator..................................................Greg
Parrott |