Name/Title
The States Historical Society Of WisconsinScope and Content
THE STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF WISCONSIN
816 State Street Madison, Wisconsin 53706 608/262-3266
H. Nicholas Muller III, Director
23 December 1986
Mr. Rudolph Mattes
22429 County Highway XX
Kiel, WI 53042
Dear Mr. Mattes:
Thank you for agreeing to talk with me on tape on Monday, January 6th, 9:00 a.m., at your home, about farm chores and the hand skills needed to do them. As I mentioned over the phone, your participation in the project is particularly important to me because you can speak about tasks such as making a corn shock and butchering a pig from your own experience. By talking about these chores, you will help the State Historical Society staff, other researchers, and the people who visit Old World Wisconsin better understand the past as you knew it. The interview should take from two to three hours, and can be taped in any quiet room.
Thank you, too, for allowing me to photograph you tying a grain bundle on Monday as well. As we arranged, I'll bring the grain with me that day, along with my camera and tripod. In past sessions the photographs were taken in a barn near the door, or in the entrance of the house--two areas which received sufficient light yet were out of the wind--and I suggest we do the same at your farm. About ten minutes, at the beginning or end of the session, should suffice for the photographs.
From the tapes and photographs I'll prepare a report which will be used to train the interpreters at Old World Wisconsin. A copy of the tapes and photographs will also be kept at the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, where they will be accessible to researchers.
Thanks again for your help. Please phone me at 608/262-8178 if you have questions. I look forward to seeing you again at your home on Monday, January 6th, at 9:00. Happy Holidays!
Sincerely,
Betty Kilsdonk
Project Assistant
Historic Sites DivisionAcquisition
Accession
2015.0500Source or Donor
Waupun Heritage MuseumAcquisition Method
Donation