Early EHF Newsletter

From our Monthly “History Hub” E-Newsletter

Curator's Corner

Written by Jeff O'Keeffe

As mentioned in the previous issue of the History Hub, one of the volunteer opportunities in the collection at the moment has to do with an ongoing project to digitize the Foundation's newsletters, going all the way back to the inception of our organization over 75 years ago. I thought it would be remiss not to show an example to try to further persuade you to volunteer your time to help preserve these incredibly important documents to our history as an organization. The image seen to the right is a scan of the very first "newsletter" sent to the then Ephraim Foundation members and officers, only a group of 30 individuals at the time. It was written by Henry Anderson, son of Adolph, the first Foundation President. 

From the Ephraim Historical Foundation Archives.

Read the transcribed letter in its entirety below:

To the Officers, Members and Patrons

The Ephraim Foundation, Inc.

 This letter is to report the activities for our first year ending December 31, 1949. The first project, carried out last spring under considerable pressure due to time, was to acquire the old school house. The money was raised and paid to the school board. The property is in the name of our group. Since we received title to the building, we have repainted the outside and have repaired some of the building structurally.

 An arrangement has been made with the Peninsula Arts Association for that organization to use the building in 1950 with the proviso we may on occasion allow others to use it for special events. The Peninsula Arts is to pay for part of the improvements to the interior of the school in accordance with a plan subject to approval of our Building Committee. Additional funds for this purpose have been promised by others. By this summer we hope the grounds and building will be all in good condition. Future costs in connection with this property will probably be largely for maintenance which we hope will be offset by income from its users.

Our second project, approved at one of our summer meetings, was to assist the village financially in the rebuilding of the Historic Old Anderson Dock. This dock, as you know, was in a pretty unsightly condition due to waves and ice. The village purchased the dock and the land approaches to it from the Anderson Estate for a nominal amount, and the village voters approved a bond issue of $6,000 toward its rebuilding. Our Finance Committee was authorized and instructed to raise by subscription $2,000 to be given to the village to be added to the $6,000 raised from the sale of bonds. Numerous contributions have been received for this project, many from people who visit Ephraim by boat. We have raised the $2,000 - part has been paid to the village. The balance will be paid. 

 As it happens, the cost of rebuilding the dock ran into more money than was contemplated, so the rebuilding has been temporarily suspended until further funds can be raised. A drive among other residents of Ephraim will be undertaken this spring. Will you please scan the list of contributors (over) and let our Finance Committee Chairman have the names of others who should be approved. (Warren T. Davis, 6 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago 2, is the chairman of the Finance Committee.)

 Frankly, those who have been engaged in carrying on the work of the Foundation feel very pleased with the fine support given by all you folks. We feel that much has been accomplished for the good of the community above and beyond simply preserving or rebuilding picturesque structures. 

 On the other side of this letter is the report from Ralph Horween, our Treasurer, showing receipts and expenditures for 1940. 

Sincerely yours,

HENRY ANDERSON

President