Harbor TAles
Who lives there in the 1800's? Why did they come? How did they survive? These are questions asked about Washington Island, Wisconsin; an island separated from the closest mainland point of seven miles of Lake Michigan waters.
The Spark
A large, well worn grey trunk from Iceland sat empty in the corner of a room in the house that I grew up in. Many times I imagined what it would have carried and what life must have been like for my family to come here.
My great-grandparents came from Iceland and Norway and were original settlers on Washington Island. My grandmother would tell stories, including those of the old barn that she and my grandfather would dance in while they were courting. They would later buy that barn and raise sheep, plant the fields and tend the orchard. It housed many treasures for us to search out and spark our imagination.
I consider myself to be fortunate to have grown up when the the tales of bravery and hardship were being told of the characters of early times. Originally, I wanted to write down some of the stories for my grandchildren. I decided to fill the trunk full of stories and sketches, of what I call bits and pieces. It is a book you could pick it up and read a little here and there, and experience some of these adventures of early Washington Island, WI.
Research and Writing
As a young girl, I was lucky to have known two of our Island historians. One was Anne Whitney, who lived in a little Hansel and Gretel-like cottage only a bike ride away. A friend and I would visit while she constructed her beautiful folk-dolls. Another was Conan Eaton, an accomplished author, but we also knew him as our 4-H leader who taught us photography and later led us to participate in the theater.
Some of the other local writers whose works I have included are: Evelyn and Arthur Knudsen, Hjalamar Holand, Margaret Coppress, Jesse Miner, Raymond McDonald, and the Door County Advocate correspondents.
The stories consist of: bits of history, bits of the unusual, facts of the times and a little of the lore -- to create a probable picture of early Island life. In several instances, I have included quotations when they best describe the uniqueness of the time and its characters, and the sources can be found in the back of the book.
Sketching and Painting
I have enjoyed including the sketches, or "impressions" as I think of them, hoping that they can add vitality to the stories.
I continue to paint scenes of Island history and lore, including the Island Fair, the Naming of the Island, and stories from my family.
A collection of 12 paintings that I painted, which are now in a private collection, were called Island "Good Times" and were of my early memories. These paintings were used in a calander, notecards, and also highlighted in an annual show at the Art and Nature Center as well at the Island Dairy.
Experience Early Washington Island
A delightful book to share with your family and friends and future generations to come.
Available on Washington Island, WI at Mann's Mercantile as well as Fair Isle Books.
William Olson, via the Washington Island Observer
Other Illustration Projects
I collaborated with Karen Yancey as well as her daughter Meghan, illustrating two books, which both benefit local community organizations on Washington Island, WI.
