Local History Collection and Archival Materials
The Bayfield Heritage Association collects and maintains artifacts and archival materials relating to the history of Bayfield and the surrounding region. The collection focuses on the general themes of settlement, agriculture, logging, lumbering, brownstone quarrying, fishing, transportation and tourism.
Archival materials include maps, early city records, photographs, newspapers, brochures, business records and personal papers which are stored at the Heritage Center. Some of the major collected objects include the original City of Bayfield switchboard operated by Helen Cease until dial telephones were installed in 1958, a horse drawn hearse from the late 19th century with both wheels and runners for snow, and a ten foot tall Theodore Ernst hand crafted case created for the local Oddfellow’s Hall banner which now displays Harriet Johnson’s 1937 hand made High School graduation quilt. Innumerable smaller objects of local historical significance are also displayed throughout the museum. Our semi-permanent feature exhibit, the Ray Cahill Barber Shop has been very well received by the local community and tourists alike (See the Feature Exhibits and Cahill Barbershop Pages for details).
The Bayfield Heritage Association Museum Committee continually evaluates items offered for accession into the collections or archives of the Heritage Center. Documenting and organizing all items housed in the Heritage Center while identifying those which can be utilized to provide educational exhibits for display in the museum will be an ongoing process over the next several years. The Museum Committee would appreciate the help of any volunteer who has an interest in reviewing, evaluating, and documenting historical items relating to the Bayfield area. Call 779-5958 or use the Feedback Form on the Home Page for more information or to join our dedicated volunteers.
An Apostle Islands Area Community Fund (AIACF) grant provided funding for the services of a part time archivist in 2007 but a grant was not approved for 2008. A special and urgent appeal for funds resulted in contributions which will continue to pay for his vital services through at least a part of 2008. The computerized database he is generating from data documented by the Museum Committee will, when completed, allow "Google" type searching of all Heritage Center Museum information. The Museum Committee has recommended, and the Board has agreed, that it is imperative that the archive and collection records be transferred to the Past Perfect Museum Database System. Partial funding for this project has been obtained through another AIACF grant for 2009. Until the information entry is completed our volunteers will make every effort to answer requests for information and to assist visitors who visit the facility.
Bayfield Pioneer Interviews: Twenty years ago Mary Rice commissioned John Hanson to produce and direct the “Bayfield Video Archives”. Mary and John recorded over one hundred video taped interviews with people in the Bayfield area. The interviewees were asked how, when and why their families had come to Bayfield. The tapes provide historical information and give a glimpse of how difficult it was for many to earn a living here. The recurrent theme is one of love for the Lake Superior area and a commitment to living in Bayfield. Up until this year we only had access to these interviews on VHS tapes, which are now virtually obsolete. In 2007 the Heritage Association was awarded a grant from the MHR Foundation to convert the VHS tapes to DVD format. The BHA has donated a complete set of 159 DVD’s to the the Bayfield Carnegie Library for loan to the public. The DVD’s are also be available for viewing at the Heritage Center during the summer season and you may order any single DVD or DVD set using the downloaded .PDF form form on the Book-DVD Page of this website.