Join in on the fun with exciting activities and a traveling exhibit at an architectural time capsule where LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs once restored 19th-century gems
MINERAL POINT, Wis. – Pendarvis, a Wisconsin Historical Society site, is thrilled to host “Pride at Pendarvis,” an event highlighting the voices and stories of LGBTQ+ visionaries and history makers. Two of those history makers include Bob Neal and Edgar Hellum, business entrepreneurs and life partners who dedicated their lives to saving the structures and stories of Mineral Point’s mining history. Together, they salvaged and restored six 1840s Cornish cabins and stone buildings in danger of demolition, and preserved Pendarvis historic site for future generations.
Attendees will explore Pendarvis venues including Kiddleywink Pub and Martin Cabin, viewing charming historical stone and log cabins built by Cornish miners. A special traveling exhibit at the Pendarvis Education Center celebrates LGBTQ+ visionaries.
Participants can purchase General Admission Guided Tours and discover the site’sbustling mining and preservation history. Additionally, a new Behind the Scenes Tour, highlighting seldom-told stories and rarely-visited historic rooms, is available for purchase.
Like Neal and Hellum, the site is dedicated to preserving Wisconsin’s history and will host the traveling exhibit, “We Will Always Be Here: Wisconsin’s LGBTQ+ Historymakers” during its pride celebration. The exhibit features the legacies of eight LGBTQ+ Wisconsin history makers through graphic novel-inspired language and art from nipinet landsem, an Indigequeer Anishinaabe and Michif artist. Landsem is passionate about using art to tell contemporary Indigenous stories.
Pride at Pendarvis will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 28, 2024, and will take place rain or shine. Guests can enter and re-enter the venue when exploring the Pendarvis grounds. The Merry Christmas Mine Hill Trails and Prairie are explorable from sunrise to sunset, as per usual. Guests may purchase beverages and are welcome to utilize hiking trails for picnics.
This is a free event with tours available for purchase.
General Admission Guided Tours will occur at 10:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Single-day tickets are $12 for adults and teens, $11 for seniors, $8 for children ages 5-12 and free for children under five. Society members receive free general admission.
Rare Behind the Scenes Tours occur at 1 and 2 p.m. for 15 guests only. The tours cost $35 per person.
For further information or to purchase tickets, go to pendarvis.wisconsinhistory.org or click here.
About Pendarvis
Pendarvis is one of the Wisconsin Historical Society’s 12 historic sites and museums. Tucked away in historic Mineral Point, the site celebrates the restoration and preservation efforts of life and business partners Robert Neal and Edgar Hellum. Their legacy includes the preservation of six historic stone and stone-and-log cottages which comprise Pendarvis today, built by Cornish immigrants in the 1840s during the Wisconsin Territory’s lead-mining boom. Visitors can also explore the nearby Merry Christmas Mine Hill Trail & Prairie which still bears the signs of early mining activity. Visit pendarvishistoricsite.org or call (608) 987-2122 for more information and a list of upcoming events. Wisconsin Historical Society members receive free admission to this site during regular operating hours.
About the Wisconsin Historical Society
The Wisconsin Historical Society, founded in 1846, ranks as one of the largest, most active and most diversified state historical societies in the nation. As both a state agency and a private membership organization, its mission is to help people connect to the past by collecting, preserving and sharing stories. The Wisconsin Historical Society serves millions of people every year through a wide range of sites, programs and services. For more information, visit www.wisconsinhistory.org.
Source link
