2023 FRIENDS OF JCH BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Linda Chay, President
Vice President/Mortgage Lending, Port Washington State Bank
Tom Gifford, Vice President
Owner, Gifford Video
Scott Ballering, Treasurer
Customer Representative, Port Washington State Bank - Mequon Branch
Margaret Bussone, Education Director
Retired, Foreign Language Faculty, Mequon Thiensville School District Retired,
Foreign Language Faculty, Mequon Thiensville School District
Judy Button, Board Member
Early Childhood Educator
Kirsten J Reinhardt, Board Member
Guest Curator, Bruce Museum, Greenwich, Connecticut
Brady Seiberlich, Board Member
Director of Software Development, National Business Furniture
Patrick Steele, Ph.D., Board Member
Professor of History, Concordia University Wisconsin
Joel Willems, Board Member
Director, Cedarburg History Museum
Testimonials from Young Volunteers
Matthew and one of his bike racks
“Volunteering at the JCH has given me countless fun memories of teaching the history, and having a great time getting to learn more about 1840s Wisconsin!”
2022 Eagle Scout Project Two Bicycle Racks for the Jonathan Clark House Grounds
Matthew Seiberlich, HHS Sophomore
Spencer with Char and George Bonniwell
“Getting to know our local history helps us understand why many things are the way they are today. A lot of the people, buildings and roads we see everyday are here because of something that happened a long time ago. We also should learn about having to make decisions that affect the future. When we learn about history we see that decisions a long time ago have an impact for many years or even centuries. Helping to see how good or bad these decisions have been, helps us take today’s decisions much more seriously.”
Spencer Hollway, GHS Sophomore
Soren - Volunteer Greeter at an Open House
Meet our “youngest” Young Historian in his custom-made costume
“I like all of the artifacts from different times. I like the living history and hands-on activities. I enjoy being able to show kids what it was like during that time in history.”
Soren Damsgaard, Mequon Third Grader
Kolby, Kate and Cousin Augie Zellmann
"We have personally witnessed the value of the Jonathan Clark House Museum as our children have had their first volunteer experiences helping with preservation projects and museum events. Because of these experiences they have a deeper appreciation of the community and a more significant understanding of the past in relation to the future. They call this having fun at the museum."
Kurt and Suzanne Zellmann, Mequon
John in the Clark House Pantry
John Gattoniis a Thiensville resident and middle school student. He is our newest Young Historian. In 2022 he served as an event greeter and open house greeter.
In addition, John cleaned and painted the outdoor lights under the mentorship of Mequon Thiensville Optimist Club Member Tom Frank. We look forward to John’s continued help at JCH as he aspires to gain his Eagle Scout Award.
McKenna Accepting the Bonniwell Bible
McKenna Chay, a student at Cedarburg High School, recently started an organization for her fellow-students who are interested in volunteering at local non-profits.
At the Bonniwell Bible event, sponsored by her grandfather, she gave a moving presentation as she accepted the donated Bible on behalf of the next generation. She assured the group that her generation will carry on with a commitment to historic preservation.
Sarah and Marcy at Fall Harvest
Sarah Daniels and Marcy Zimmerare seniors at Divine Savior Holy Angels High School and have volunteered for several events and projects.
If they look familiar, you may have seen them at Heritage Days, the Foxtown Holiday Market or the JCH Exhibit at the Museum of Quilt and Fiber Arts Family Day.
We wish them the best as they go off to college. How about a degree in ”United States History”?
Emerson Volunteering at Heritage Days
Eight year old Emerson Trumbull-Holperstepped right up into the role of greeter at the summer Heritage Days event. His job was to make certain that all of the other children had fun with the array of yard games. It seemed that his favorite task was giving out cookies and ice cream to children of all ages.
We look forward to Emerson’s volunteering skills at future outdoor events.