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Working Women: Domestic Servants in La Crosse

As long as there have been wealthy families in large homes, there have been domestic workers supporting them. In La Crosse, many young, single, Norwegian immigrants worked in domestic service.
(written by Meghan Hoefling, Archives staff) As long as there have been wealthy families in large homes, there have been domestic workers supporting them. Domestic work has lik… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/working-women-domestic-servants-in-la-crosse/

Marian Dorset's Family, Home, and Letters

The Dorset-Colwell family papers at LPLA include the personal correspondence for the whole family, who were extremely dedicated record-keepers. Marian Dorset even saved her drafted replies to her correspondents, which is the case for some 1901 love letter…
(written by Jenny DeRocher, Archives Staff) At her death in 1951, Marian Dorset was 82 years old. She was the daughter of Nannie Hammer Colwell Dorset and Rev. Charles P. Dorset.… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/marian-dorsets-family-home-and-letters/

Trane Company and the Nuclear Age

During World War II, the Trane Company switched from the manufacture of U. S. residential, commercial and industrial heating and cooling systems to wartime production thanks to local women joining the workforce and filling the jobs left open when men left…
(written by Anita Taylor Doering, Archives Staff) A full-page ad in the local newspaper encouraging housewives and others left on the homefront to come to work for the Trane… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/trane-company-and-the-nuclear-age/

An Early Automobile Saleswoman

In 1925, Dorothy Hofweber was touted in the local newspaper was being “one of the few women automobile merchants of the country.”
(written by Anita Taylor Doering, Archives Staff) Dorothy Hofweber grew up in downtown La Crosse in the early part of the twentieth century.  She was the youngest of 12 childre… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/an-early-automobile-saleswoman/

"Billie Button" and the Wisconsin Pearl Button Company

The Wisconsin Pearl Button Company first opened in 1900 and quickly became one of the largest employers in La Crosse, employing nearly 225 people in 1902.
(written by Johnathon Jaeger, Archives intern) The logo for “The Story of My Life by ‘Billie Button.’” Scan is courtesy of the UWL Murphy Library Special Collections & Are… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/billie-button-and-the-wisconsin-pearl-button-company/

Looking Back ('17) - Looking Ahead ('18)

A look back at the stories we told in 2017, and a look ahead at the programs planned for 2018.
(written by Scott Brouwer, Archives staff) Archives staff put together alot of great blog posts in 2017, so before looking ahead to the 2018 program schedule, please take a mom… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/looking-back-looking-ahead/

Nellie Mann Opdale

Pastor to La Crosse’s Saints, Sinners and Suffragists
(written by Anita Taylor Doering, Archives Staff) Image courtesy of Harvard-Andover Theological Library On Sunday, October 22, 2017, at 3pm at the La Crosse Public Library … https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/nellie-mann-opdale/

Wilma's Beauty Salon

Wilma Peters owned and operated Wilma's Beauty Salon for over 40 years in downtown La Crosse.
(written by Scott Brouwer, Archives staff) Wilma Peters owned and operated Wilma's Beauty Salon in downtown La Crosse for over 40 years. In 1952, after attending the St. P… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/wilmas-beauty-salon/

The Leona

Leona Linker was a leader in women's fashion and has the patent to prove it.
(written by Megan, Archives Staff) Leona Foerster was born in La Crosse to George & Catherine Foerster. Taught to sew at an early age (the usual for the day), and apprentic… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/the-leona/

Gertrude Salzer Gordon, Philanthropist

While today La Crosse citizens may not be able to recognize Gordon by name, the numerous organizations she funded and supported are sure to be recognized and will live on into the next century.
(Written by Hannah Weber, Archives staff) A philanthropist is a person who possesses the altruistic concern for human welfare and advancement as facilitated by monetary, proper… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/gertrude-salzer-gordon-philanthropist/

Minimum Wage for Women... in 1913

On the evening of April 3, 1913 the Franklin Club, a debate society on the North Side, argued over the question of “Should the State of Wisconsin enact a minimum wage law of eight dollars a week for women?”
(written by Bill Petersen, Archives Staff) On the evening of April 3, 1913 the Franklin Club, a debate society on the North Side, argued over the question of “Should the Sta… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/minimum-wage-for-women...-in-1913/

La Crosse Woman Would Have Been the First Mary Kay

Ruth Johnson Maurer, wife of Dr. Albert A Maurer, first started making face powders and creams in the basement of their home in 1903.
(written by Megan, Archives staff) When Ruth Johnson Maurer, wife of Dr. Albert A Maurer, first started making face powders and creams in the basement of their home in 1903 she… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/la-crosse-woman-would-have-been-the-first-mary-kay/

Calling All Vocational Homemakers...

Unless you have personally been a member of one of these organizations, it might come as a surprise to you that from the early 1900s up to the present day, there have existed thousands of clubs around the country focused solely on “homemaking.”
(written by Taylor of the Archives Staff) Unless you have personally been a member of one of these organizations, it might come as a surprise to you that from the early 1900s u… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/calling-all-vocational-homemakers/

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