A Young Museum in the Press

Over 50 years ago, the Museum was first making the papers as a new attraction and educational destination. The press frequently referenced the combined Forest Lodge nature projects together - highlighting the connection between the Forest Lodge Library, the adjacent "Forest Lodge Nature Museum," and the Forest Lodge Nature Trail located east of town. There was a lot of excitement surrounding these efforts to "spread the gospel of loving the outdoors by familiarity with it."

Reading back through these saved newspaper clippings and the expressive words used to market this special place, I'm able to gain a sense of what we meant to the broader public at the time. 

The budding museum's first director/curator/naturalist was Lois Nestel - a woman who the current Naturalists have written about often despite having only met her through her written words and preserved creations. 

As an important figure at the Museum, Lois began her career simply -  actively immersing herself in the local landscape. She took various notes on the phenology of Cable and later wrote newspaper columns describing her excursions outdoors. She also eventually acquired a certificate in taxidermy, preserving a number of local birds for public display. Lois's knowledge of the area was trusted then and still is today - her "Wayside Bounty" accounts of edible local plants have inspired me to try new recipes using the unplanned plants in my garden; her illustrated calendars of seasonal happenings are compared to the notes of a friend who regularly volunteers in the collection. 

Early newspaper articles about the Museum almost exclusively referred to Lois as Mrs. Charles Nestel - a local housewife interested in wildlife. However Lois, and the Museum, quickly gained credibility as a force of education and appreciation for local nature. Lois was pictured in most photographs of the Museum published in the 1970's and '80's. Alongside her were often the specimens that she created herself - taxidermy birds, plaster casts of fish, and even paintings.

In the early days, we were filled with potential. After settling into a new building in a permanent location in 1971, the Museum quickly began exploring the exhibit design process, collaborative opportunities with local schools and organizations, and the development of nature trails which helped connect visitors with the Northwoods. We have maintained and expanded all of those efforts to this day - and still have potential as we look to the next 50 years! 

In the above photo published by the Washburn Times in 1971, a variety of Lois's pieces can be seen on display for a "steady stream of visitors." Much of her work is still a part of the Museum's collection in 2022, and some of her mushroom paintings will be on display in our classroom when we open that space up again this May!