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.
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BAYFIELD’S ‘GRAND OLD FLAG’
A new Museum Committee project centers on this unique, one of a kind, accessioned artifact of the BHA.
It truly is a “grand old flag” -- measuring 8 feet x 4 l/2 feet and was the first flag to fly over Bayfield. A newspaper article of August 11, 1892 says “Mr. Tate shows with manifest pride the first American flag ever hoisted in Bayfield, which was by him, on the 4th of July 1858. It was made by an Indian woman. It has thirteen stars, old style, and is in a state of thorough preservation. The flag is made of material bought by Mr. Tate in Superior City, now Superior, Wisconsin.” Other accounts refer to the flag being sewed by “the deft fingers on an Indian woman.”
Who was Andrew Tate? He was one of Bayfield’s pioneers. Born in Washington D.C. on August 23, 1832, he arrived in Bayfield on the 25th of April 1857, just 13 months after the founding of the town. His interests and professions were many; including Attorney, District Attorney, County Attorney, County Treasurer, Supt. of Schools, Librarian and Druggist
Until 1954, the flag was in possession of the Tate family. After the death of Mr. Tate’s son-in-law, the flag was given to Bayfield Historian Eleanor Knight who presented the flag to the Bayfield Heritage Society in 1989.
The flag is in need of conservation. To that end, BHA is having 3 x 5’ replicas made which will be available for sale. All proceeds will be held for the eventual preservation of this historic artifact. We look forward to once again seeing our “Grand Old Flag” flying over Bayfield.
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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.
- 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.
Howard Paap evaluationg archives
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 2009. A 2009 AIACF grant provided partial funding for purchase of the PastPerfect Museum Software System, which is used by over 6500 museums in the USA, and with additional funds authorized by the Board of Directors the necessary computer hardware systems were acquired. All BHA archives and business records, except financial, are being transferred into this software system.
The Home Page screen from the PasrPerfect Museum software system
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 2008 we only had access to these interviews on VHS tapes, which have become nearly 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 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 on the Book-DVD Page of this website.