Woodchuck #2

We got the big one! On Thursday we caught number 2. This one did not fare as well as the first. This one got shot. I would have liked to turn it loose in the field, but it would most likely come back and they do much damage to the foundations of our buildings.

We Caught the Woodchuck!

The live trap has been set for a long time. It sat on the other side of the cottage last fall and all winter. This spring, early, it was moved next to the second hole on the west side of the cottage. Kramer kept going by the hole to check it out, but yesterday the trap had sprung, and inside was the woodchuck. I am not sure what drew him in because I don't think there was any bait in there. But, nonetheless, we got him. I tried to call Kenny, he wasn't home. Called Jerry, but he wasn't home either, but left a message. He came later. At noon I felt bad for the woodchuck, so took him my two pieces of celery I was going to eat with my lunch. He has a piece of celery sticking out of his mouth in the picture.
When Jerry came, we decided to put the trap in the wheelbarrow and take him across the field in the back of the museum, and turn him loose. Now we wonder if he can find his way back??

Another Cleaning Day

Marilyn came today to help do windows. They sparkle now. Notice she is wearing a sweatshirt and Jerry is wearing a stocking cap on the 11th of May! It never reached 50* today and the winds were at 50 mph gusts. Hopefully, one day, the depot will be done and we will be able to enjoy how nice it looks.

The Chickasaw Mill

In the 1800s and early 1900s, Chickasaw was a little town between New Hampton and Charles City. The mill sat on the Cedar river and was very important to the local citizens. This replica of the mill was built with running water. We are in the process of fixing it up and hopefully will again have running water for display to our visitors on tour. It is about 10' long altogether.

School problems

Our Kraft School building had a problem. The North wall was bowed out a few inches from what it should be, and had come loose from the floor inside. Today the guys worked on it and got it pulled back in. Marlowe and Jerry are in the holes.

The Fire Pit

Jerry took the limestone rock that Kenny dug up and put it around the big black pot that hangs next to the Smith cabin. Then he brought some wood from home and put it in the circle. It really looks much nicer and more real now.

Washing the Windmill

Claire came and powerwashed the windmill. Now it is all ready to paint when the weather is right. It will be a nice flat silver.

Bradford Opening Day

It was a rather cold and rainy day, but we got some work done. Jerry and I worked in the depot again cleaning and moving things around. Kenny worked in the front yard digging up some old limestone stepping stones that he is tired of mowing over. My dog Kramer had to be the "sidewalk superintendent".

The sky lightened enough for me to get a few pictures of some of the museum buildings. It is so beautiful there now that the grass is green and the cherry tree is in bloom.

Today is the Day

Today is the day we open for the season. However, I did decide to go down Saturday and put up the open sign while I worked in there. I had two very good customers. One man from Tennessee and a couple from Minnesota. The man from Tennessee was on vacation and hitting all the historical stops. His grandparents had been married at the Little Brown Church, so he came for a visit. I took him to the depot to look at the map of train lines. I showed him the signatures of Frank and Jesse James in the hotel register. He knew all about them and filled me in on lots of things I didn't know about them. Very interesting to talk to.

Claire Carolan called last night and is coming today to powerwash the old steel windmill so it can be painted at a later date. Here's hoping for a prosperous season to come.