Name/Title
Photograph, Wisconsin Telephone, Lydia WeckworthDescription
Cabinet photograph of the Waupun Exchange of the Wisconsin Telephone Company.
Dated November 12, 1915. Mr. Andrew Halkier, Anah Keach, Mrs. C. Browne (Edna M. Pillsbury Browne, wife of Clifford W.), and Lydia Weckworth. Notice the wires hanging from the ceiling, and the light fixture that is hanging without a bulb or shade. They did have an electric fan which appears to have plugged into the ceiling. The women sat on wooden chairs with metal bars to place their feet on. A wastebasket is behind Mr. Halkier. There appear to be offices behind this narrow room. In 1910, the Wisconsin Telephone Company was located at 320 1/2 E. Main. By 1931, it was located at 112 S. Madison.
Miss Weckworth was a night telephone operator for many years (over 25 years). This collection was found in the file cabinet in the upstairs office room. There is no record of these people found in the 1910 Waupun City Directory. In the 1931 City Directory, Miss Lydia Weckworth was listed as telephone operator and she lived with her mother, Mrs. E., and sister, Minnie, at 25 W. Franklin Street. Later, she lived at 37 W. Franklin. About 1970, she moved to 324 S. Division St. She died approximately 1972.Acquisition
Accession
2007.0006Source or Donor
Lydia WeckworthAcquisition Method
Found in Collection