'Faces and stories'
'Honoring Our Local Military Heroes' exhibit relaunched
Officials from the Geneva lake Museum have re-opened the renovated "Honoring Our local Military Heroes" exhibit.
The "Honoring Our local Military Heroes" exhibit includes a display case featuring Civil War-elated items.
The "Honoring Our local Military Heroes" exhibit includes military uniforms worn by local veterans.
Information about local veterans is showcased throughout the "Honoring Our local Military Heroes" exhibit.
GENEVA LAKE MUSEUM
The Geneva Lake Museum is honoring veterans with the re-launch of "Honoring Our Local Military Heroes."
The exhibit features artifacts and photographs from the Civil War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, as well as uniforms worn by local veterans — along with their photographs and information about their service.
"What we're trying to do is bring faces and stories to all these people," Executive Director Janet Ewing said. "We're just not showing uniforms. It's about honoring our military heroes."
The Civil War display features a photograph taken in 1890 of soldiers standing in front of the former library building before a Memorial Day parade and a display case showcasing a hammerless revolver manufactured by the Smith & Wesson Company, a bullet mold, sweetheart pins, photographs, service booklets and Confederate uniform buttons.
The Civil War area also features information about Benoni Reynolds II, who served as a surgeon during the conflict and was captured by Confederate soldiers.
Reynolds escaped, returned to the area, opened a medical practice and served as the president for the Town of Geneva from 1874-1876. He also served in the Wisconsin State Assembly in 1876 and the Wisconsin State Senate from1878-1879.
Reynold's son, Benoni Reynolds III, also is highlighted in the exhibit.
Reynolds III served during World War I, suffered shell shock, returned to the area and worked as a district attorney for Walworth County.
"He got rid of a lot of the Chicago gangsters that were up here in Lake Geneva, including the Touhy Gang," Ewing said.
The World War I area includes military helmets, binoculars, military boots, a canteen, dog tags and photographs of local soldiers who served in Troop F.
"Most of the locals from the Geneva Lake area were assigned to Troop F," Ewing said. "They are shown on their horses, with the calvary and there's some action shots of them."
World War II artifacts include military helmets, posters, swords, maps, a model train, a canteen and a weather mask.
"Everyone says, 'What's this? It looks like something from 'Silence of the Lambs,'" Ewing said of the weather mask. "But this was for guys on a ship when they would go up on deck and it was raining. Wool, even when it's wet, keeps you warm."
Korean War-related artifacts include sliver ware, a model airplane, medals and photos.
The Vietnam War display features uniforms, photographs, posters and two plaques donated by Badger High School Class of 1967 members honoring former students Timothy Smith and Francis "Topper" Capezio, who died during the war.
"Tim was over in Vietnam for only three months and 'Topper' only two," Ewing said.
The exhibit also features items related to recent Middle East conflicts and the Cold War era, including a piece of the Berlin Wall.
Ewing plans to add more items to the exhibit.
"We do have other uniforms, and after awhile we may rotate things out a little bit," Ewing said. "But for now, I think we're good."
In addition to honoring soldiers, there also is a section dedicated to nurses that includes uniforms, medical equipment and information about Rose Simpkins Wozniak, who was a charter member of the Women's Army Corp.
The exhibit features a television set that plays a looping video which includes information about local veterans.
"If there's a gold star that means they did not come home alive," Ewing said. "Some of these stories are real tearjerkers."
Yearlong process
The exhibit was renovated after being damaged last year because of a water leak from the museum's roof. The project, which included installing new carpeting, replacing ceiling tiles, installing new display cases, repairing the floor and repairing electrical systems, cost about $50,000.
Museum officials hosted fundraisers and the Tourism Commission awarded a $20,000 grant to help fund the project.
Ewing said the goal was to have everything completed by July 4 to honor America's 250th anniversary.
"Really, we have the community to thank," Ewing said. "People really stepped forward."
The museum, 255 Mill St., is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday during the summer.
Admission is $12 for adults, $10 seniors 60 and older, $5 for children 13-17, and free for 12 and younger and military personnel.
For more information, visit www.genevalakemuseum.org.
