LETTERS: History shines downtown in displays and digital features

To Ozaukee Press:

The Port Washington Historical Society is pleased to share with visitors to the downtown our exhibit on World War I recognizing some of the local men and women who participated in the war effort from 1917 to 1919.

A highlight of the exhibit in our Resource Center at 205 N. Franklin St. is the journal account of the actions of the supply company for the 127th Infantry 32nd Red Arrow Division, as recorded by wagoner Frederick W. Boerner.

The exhibit shows the supply company’s movements on a large map of France.

Thanks to the assistance of Margaret Bussome and Diana Lewis, we are also able to share a first-hand account of the war through a link on the Port Washington Historical Society website.

The link takes the visitor to an interactive map of France, Luxembourg and Germany, where you can follow Boerner’s movements providing supplies to the 127th Infantry.

The society is also providing a digital version of the Historic Franklin Street Walking Tour.

The tour can be accessed on a smart phone by holding the phone’s camera over a code and downloading the tour.

The tour is keyed to the bronze numbered plaques located among the pavers along Franklin Street. It’s a fun way to learn the history of the street and the city.

Another feature downtown along the harbor walk is the storyboards located near the Holiday Inn parking lot.

They show some of the businesses and homes of Port Washington in the early 1900s.  

Jackie Oleson and Geri Zehren

Port Washington Historical Society