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NIAGARA, Wis. -- A life-size metal statue that represents all who wore the Kimberly-Clark cap will be unveiled on Saturday, Aug. 5.
The Niagara Area Historical Museum will reveal "The Mill Worker" as part of its "Remember When ... The Corner of River and Main" celebration.
The fundraising event is planned from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with activities at the museum and at St. Anthony Catholic Church hall.
"We're having a 'doings,'" said Niagara Historical Society President Karen Klenke, referring to the phrase used by museum volunteer Jerry Morin about the festivities. "And that's exactly what's happening here."
The community is invited to join the society to recognize the historical importance of this corner. "It's a time of remembering then and now -- and everything in between," Klenke said. "We want people to come, have a good time and reminisce."
The day will kick off outside the museum with the unveiling of "The Mill Worker," created by award-winning metal artist Dan Recla of Niagara.
Recla crafted the piece to honor the paper makers who worked every day around the clock for decades, as their labor helped build the city of Niagara and surrounding communities.
Across the corner stood the "old school." The statue also is dedicated to the memory of Harold and Gracie Kinziger by their five children. Harold taught his entire career at this location.
"The actual statue was started about three to four years ago, as he kept developing the idea of how he wanted it," said Klenke, noting generations of the Recla family were millworkers.
The fabricated metal statue is a replica of how the guys went to work -- chambray shirt, boots, and Kimberly-Clark hat, complete with flashlight in one hand and lunchbox in the other.
"The details of the shirt blow me away," Klenke said.
Niagara native Fritz Rouse will be present to help with the statue reveal and the celebration, Klenke said. "He's been very generous to Niagara -- we thank him and are honored that he's coming," she said.
Also attending will be museum board members, city officials and school representatives.
"The Mill Worker," along with the recently obtained River and Main street sign, will be on permanent display inside the museum.
Klenke and historical society board member Bruce Redmond collaborated on the signage that explains the piece to museum visitors.
She also credits Jerry Morin for the sign base, which was made from a Model T tire rim.
The historical society's first "dream" was to have "The Mill Worker" placed at that significant corner. "After long discussions, we felt it would be better to keep him at the museum," she said. "Many of those from out of town wouldn't understand his meaning because the mill or the school is no longer there, as well as to keep him safe from vandalism."
In addition to the unveiling, the afternoon will be filled with activities, including a meat raffle, tractor show, music, corn toss and a special video montage.
The tractor show will be in the parking lot of the church hall. Morin has organized a variety of pieces -- old to new -- to take part, including an electric tractor.
Lunch, including pasties and corn on the cob, can be purchased in the hall.
"Bryan and Shelby DeForge stepped forward to prepare the pasties and arrange for the meat raffle -- they really came through for us," Klenke said, adding the corn is being donated by Tinker Rugg.
While enjoying lunch in the hall, attendees can view the video that includes about 20 key stories Niagara residents told Klenke.
"This, along with a video of the old school from Kevin Johnson, will be on continual play on a large-screen TV," Klenke said.
Vicki Bourassa Zipter will provide the music.
The museum will also have pieces of the original slate chalkboard from the old school. "They are in many odd pieces right now and we are trying to figure out a way that our community can get a piece of history," she said.
Klenke said the main reason the museum is hosting the event is for the celebration and unveiling, but they can't deny the fact they need funds.
The museum will conduct raffles and 50-50 drawings throughout the event.
They encourage people to come dressed up in an old blue work shirt, Kimberly-Clark hat or other mill-related attire.
"We just want to make this fundraising get-together fun," Klenke said.
The Niagara Area Historical Museum will also be open for tours during the event. While admission is free, they welcome donations.
"Our museum continues to grow and create," Klenke said. "It's so much fun to give it back to the community."
Klenke recognized the event coincides with the Kingsford Centennial but encouraged the public to come early, visit and have lunch.
The museum is at 1364 River St. in Niagara.
For more information contact Klenke at 906-396-7499.