Holt and Balcom concludes successful season

The Holt and Balcom Logging Camp Museum in Lakewood has concluded a successful 2021 season after going dark last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

There was only one school tour, as 17 Suring fourth graders and their teacher enjoyed living like lumberjacks May 17.

The museum recorded regular numbers, hosting well over 100 Saturday visitors from all over Wisconsin and 10 other states.

“Lucy Loved Lakewood,” featuring Lakewood historian Tom Thielke and Camp Director Kathleen Marsh portraying Lucy Holt, drew the biggest crowd of the year on July 17 with 75 guests. Holt’s black-and-white moving pictures of early 20th century logging operations were the highlight of the afternoon.

Marsh and Camp Curator Bob Brown hosted several special tours by appointment. Seventeen area homemakers and their guests toured the camp on July 13, as did 23 Oconto Memory Cafe folks on July 21. A final tour of eight guests, Oconto County Leadership, occurred Oct. 7.

There were also several small group tours taken by families and friends who were unable to visit during the regular Saturday hours. As always, the museum will close for the winter.

The museum had an unexpected expense this year due to bats homesteading in the bunkhouse again. Casey Glander of Northeast Wildlife Removal relocated the bats, who help with mosquito control but make a huge mess as they are not potty-trained.

In other news, Camp Manager Dave Zuleger has confirmed that the outside of the building will need a total re-coating. Two windows in the kitchen area are badly deteriorated and will soon let too much of the outside inside. The project is on schedule for summer 2022.

Donations of any size to help cover the cost can be sent Holt and Balcom Logging Camp Museum, care of Kathleen Marsh, 16965 Nicolet Road, Townsend, WI 54175.

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