1893 Victorian Farmhouse: October 2016

COME TO OUR

VICTORIAN HOUSE TOUR and CRAFT SHOW
255 Mill St. - Scandinavia, Wisconsin 54977

Halloween Weekend – Saturday Oct 29 and Sunday 30 – 10:00a to 5:00p

Take a historic tour of the Wrolstad-Quien Victorian at 255 Mill Street in Scandinavia, Wisconsin Halloween weekend. We are asking for a modest donation of $2 per person--all going to The Humane Society of Waupaca County. Enjoy chili and dessert by Scandinavia Library in the Red Garage.

PLENTY OF PARKING
IN REAR OF PROPERTY, BEHIND THE RED GARAGE.

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Our Queen Anne Style Victorian was built in 1893 by John and Mathea Wrolstad--owners of a successful logging business.

Back row, left to right standing: sons and daughter Alfred, Sina, and James. Second row, seated: son Martin, parents John Olsen and wife Mathea, and son John. Littlest ones: Henry, Mabel, and Josephine.

I believe this photo of our house was taken about 1905

The girl second from the left is Mabel Wrolstad youngest daughter of John Olsen Wrolstad and his wife Mathea.

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The second owners, Thomas and Maren Quien family owned the house for 90 years.

Standing, left to right: Bessie, Gusta, Peter, Ragnhild,

with parents: Thomas and Maren (Gurholt) Quien.

photo c. 1910 - Second Owners

Thomas Quien with grand-daughters Mary Jane and Donna (children of Ruth and Peter Quien)

photo taken about 1926

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Jon and I purchased the house in 2007 beginning a 7 year restoration. We are delighted to show you all the ornate features of the house; faux bois woodwork, pocket doors, fret work (spandrels), 5-window bay, corbels, 3-window cut-aways, wrap around porch, summer kitchen, Juliet balcony, stained glass window, etched glass doors, wavy-glass windows, spoon carved woodwork, 1917 cook stove, 1916 parlor stove, and original hardware. Be sure to see the displays of photographs and personal items belonging to the Quien family.

Kitchen - March 2008

Before: North Bedroom Upstairs

After: North Bedroom Upstairs

Let me tell you a little bit more about our CRAFT SHOW artists— and more about our restoration.

1. Jerry Johnson of Iola is a master rug weaver for more than 35 years. At the Halloween Victorian Tour and Craft Show Jerry will demonstrate the frugal Scandinavian method of turning old clothing into beautiful woven rugs for the home. Also--Jerry will demonstrate many antique and vintage sewing machines he restored.

Jerry will tell you the history of portable hand crank sewing machines like this turn of the century Singer La Vencedora Model 128 he restored. A 3/4 size petite sewing machine, it is ready to take to the cabin for a bit of relaxation and sewing!

As as a teenager Jerry was already helping his Mother and Aunt sort old clothing by weight, texture, and color in preparation for rug weaving. Jerry says, “cotton and wool make great rugs, but the real artistry of combining fabrics to create pattern, color, and texture—it all begins with my 1932 Singer hand crank sewing machine Model 99 . . . made of good old cast iron, and no plastic.”

Jerry studied with master weavers: Ken Colwell of Mineral Point, Joanna Ericksen of Boston, and Peter Collingwood of England. Jerry says he loves to weave rugs, because it keeps a connection to the past alive. He says, “people relate to the art of rug weaving—many people share stories of family members who made rag rugs, and that makes me smile.”

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2. Jane Berkholtz and daughter Krissy Samson have good news to share about their business "Just Hangin' aRound" and will show you some wonderful ways to decorate your home during the Fall and Winter with beautiful holiday wreaths, and table centerpieces.

Born and raised in New London, Jane moved to the Shawano area in 2010. She's been doing arrangements and wedding flowers for more than 20 years now Jane tells me, her husband Keith helps with all the wood cutting and new display ideas, while her daughter Krissy Samson created the business logo and facebook page Just Hangin' aRound." Jane and Krissy look forward to meeting you at the Halloween Weekend Victorian House Tour. Come browse their collection of wreaths and table centerpieces--and see how they've decorated our old Victorian House.

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Our Red Dining Room

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3. Sisters Cathy Larson and Deb Kettenhofen - have lots of beautiful items to show you at our Craft Show.

Cathy learned to sew as part of 4H. She started out sewing clothes, but expanded into quilting after visiting quilt shops with her mother. Cathy is also active in paper crafts and card making. Her business Wood 'n Stitches began several years ago.

Deb--(Cathy's sister) works more with yarn and thread. Learning sewing and knitting in 4H she's a quilter too just like her mother and sister. Her interest in machine embroidery took off several years ago when she read some articles on thread art. Soon she was offering beautiful embroidered flour sack towels for drying dishes. When I met Deb and Cathy this summer at a craft show in Wausau I was dazzled by the sisters' booth. I remarked--the towels are almost too pretty to use. Deb says, "who says dish towels can't be pretty."

West Bedroom - Wall Repairs Finished Smooth - Ready for Paint

4. Patty Kirchner - "Nature's Treasures--All Things Beautiful from The Earth and Sea"

Patty is a designer of fine sterling silver jewelry. The materials she uses are natural items: Gemstones, Pearls, Shells, Polished Stones, Sea Urchin Spines, Seeds from Hawaii, Mother of Pearl, and even Wood Beads. Patty happily admits, "I pride myself in using only the best materials and guarantee all of my work."

Patty's expertise includes sterling silver wire-wrapping and hand-setting stones herself to make each jewelry piece perfect. I am pleased Patty is joining us for this year's Halloween Weekend Victorian House Tour and Craft Show where you can see, feel, and enjoy her handcrafted Earrings, Necklaces, and Bracelets./

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5. Kay Durrant of Sheridan, WI demonstrate the time honored tradition of wood carving. What started out as a hobby for Kay turned into teaching wood carving classes at Fox Valley Tech. Currently she is teaching several classes a week and her classes are always full.

I’m so happy to have Kay here as a featured artist so you can meet her in person and watch her carve. If you ant to know more about wood carving, Kay is the person to talk to. She'll have a selection of her wood carvings for sale at our open house.

Arched spandrel, east window bay, Living Room

(June 2007 - blowing insulation into walls, installing new ceiling)

Linda touching up faux bois finish on woodwork with artist brush and oil paints.

Living Room - 2008

Repairing Walls - 2007
Repairing Downstairs Bedroom (formerly the Parlor)

2008 - Downstairs Bedroom Finished

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6. Jenny Vater - Tie Dyed Clothing and More

I met Jenny at a craft show and was so delighted to buy a half dozen of her colorful tie dyed dish towels. Recently I wrote to her and asked how she got started . . . .

Jenny replied:
I am a stay-at-home-mother of four children. I love sewing, tie dyeing, gardening running and cross country skiing. I started dyeing everything white in our house to practice different dye techniques in order to make a ring sling to carry my baby. I fell in love with ice dyeing. 90% of my work is ice dyed, which results in unique and beautiful colors. Most of my dyed items are purchased new and some are upcycled from "like new" pieces. I enjoy turning something ordinary into extraordinary. I use professional fiber reactive dyes that are permanent (no fading) and rinse the unbond dye thoroughly (no bleeding).

Long Hallway Upstairs - 2011

Process of Saving the Walls throughout the House

Long Hallway Upstairs - 2013
Wall Repairs Finished and
Jon re-installing picture rail found in attic

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Wall Repair - Stairwell 2013

Jon working on bathroom

Installing 3/4" beadboard

Kohler Clawfoot Tub
born May 12, 1903, Plant Line #2 Kohler, WI, about 11:30 in the morning
according to tub serial number and Kohler mfgr. records

7. Linda Durrant - long arm quilter, Scandinavia WI. My husband and I are the restorers of this old Victorian. I will be displaying and selling my queen size bed quilts, baby quilts, table runners, over-sized fancy quilted potholders and my signature beaded zipper pull purses.