MARGE COONEN REMEMBERS THE CENTENNIAL
An interview with Marge Coonen about the 1968 Centennial Book and her
time on the Board of the Seymour Community Historical Society.
In 1968 Seymour celebrated its centennial with a huge parade and three days of fun. Five women from the Seymour Woman's Club wrote and edited a "Seymour History and Photo Album." The book is a valuable resource when doing research on area history. At 92 years young Marge recalls events from over 55 years ago and her role in putting together the 112 page book. This summer the museum will feature an exhibit highlighting the Seymour Centennial Celebration.
1. Are you originally from the area?
I graduated from Kaukauna High School in 1951 and came to Seymour in 1957 when I met Bob. I was teaching at St. Joseph's Academy in Green Bay.
2. What did you enjoy most about living n Seymour?
We enjoyed being in business and it was a great place to raise a family. You are not paying me to say this, but I really enjoyed being active in the historical society. Young people must know about Seymour's history and have some appreciation for where we have been. I tell my son Steve "You are in the museum, your Lieutenant-colonel uniform is on display in the museum."
3. Why did you volunteer to research and write the Centennial Review Book?
The Centennial Planning Committee came to the Women's Club and requested that we put together a historical review and picture book. Since I assisted with the yearbook and newspaper in high school and college I volunteered to help. I really enjoyed gathering all the information and putting it together.
4. What resources did you use to gather the historical information?
Our major source was a series of historic newspaper articles written by Flora Boyden in 1966 and 1967. She divided the history of Seymour into a number of categories and every week or two an article was included in the newspaper. She was a tremendous resource.
5. Where did all the pictures come from?
Fritz Shellman, the editor of the newspaper, had quite a collection in the files of the Seymour Press. He did most of the layout. Local people also donated pictures.
6. How did you finance the book?
We sold ads to various businesses and after the book was completed they sold for $2.00 each. I can't take credit for all of the book. Many people pitched in to make it a real success.
7. Was the Centennial Celebration a big deal for Seymour?
Absolutely, the whole community got involved. Mack Miller organized a fantastic parade. We had music and entertainment. The men grew beards and the women wore calico dresses. Jan Braun was the centennial queen. She sold the most buttons. The Jaycees and others took the old fire truck to other community celebrations to advertise the big time coming in Seymour.
8. How many years were you active with the Historical Society?
I served in various capacities from the mid 1980's until after the new museum opened in 2012. I said I would stay on as treasurer until all the bills were paid for the new building. I didn't want a new person to have to take on that kind of responsibility. I'm proud of the fact that the books balanced and that people were so generous in their donations that no tax dollars were used.