Volume 2, Issue 1, February 2021

by Julie Weise

‘’Keep them in your hearts and memories’’… that is what we say when our loved ones pass away. We at the Chaska Historical Society aim to do that with the old- time folks of Chaska, who lived, died and are buried in the town’s cemeteries. We invite you to view an online presentation of people who are buried at Mt. Pleasant and who have good stories that we will try to tell. The events in the stories are factual and historical, but the narratives are our words, doing our best to bring their thoughts to life.

Visit our website and let their voices carry you back to another time.

Nellie Baxter's Store

Five cemetery stories will be released in 2021:

For our first story, meet Nellie Baxter - a successful business woman in a time when few women owned a business.
The first school marm of Chaska.
An old Vermont brick maker who saw the value of Chaska soil.
The orphaned girl aged 17 who almost didn't survive her immigrant voyage.
The World War II pilot.

John Thomas Aspden Jr and his bent wood rocking chair.

John Thomas Aspden, Jr made this bent wood rocking chair which is now part of "Why Chaska?" exhibit.

Our Archiving Process

by Julie Weise

In 2019, if you visited the Chaska History Center (back when none of us could imagine our current times), you probably saw a cluster of busy people, some talking with visitors, others digging through historic newspapers, volunteers answering phones, and a keen-eyed person sorting through masses of old photos at the big table. Controlled, but quiet chaos described most of our days.

Now, imagine you are a beautiful piece of Chaska history – perhaps you’re a family photograph from 1880. Maybe you travelled across the ocean to take a place at someone’s dinner table. Or maybe you are the paper and ink that remains of a carefully kept diary. Will you find your new home here at the History Center? If you are that lucky, where will you spend the rest of your days? Will anyone ever enjoy your presence again? What will all those folks running around do with you? Am I old enough? Do I have ties to the history of this place or its people? Will visitors find me interesting? Will visiting schoolchildren be able to see through me to times when their parent’s parent’s parents were in town or nearby? Do I have the significance that would allow an historian to further their research? Will I be good enough?

Passing through a committee that answers all those questions is known as “Accession.” Successfully gaining their approval, you will find yourself in the hands (and Mind) of an archivist. The purpose of the archivist is to collect and preserve the artifacts and photos donated to the Chaska History Center and to make it possible to share these historical items with the public.

There is a detailed process that must be followed to ensure a proper storage of items and an easy retrieval for those searching for Chaska’s past. The donor and the item are given a specific number for an electronic file, a description is written, and a photo is taken. If the item is a photo, those in the picture are identified and the background is noted. Key words are assigned for easy retrieval. The History Center has an archival room with over 9,000 photos and over 4,000 artifacts, and it is in here that a new item will be stored, in a numbered box for artifacts or a file for photos.

‘’It is fascinating to see all the photos and artifacts,’’ says Carol Spalding, an archivist at the Center. ‘’It gives me a sense of accomplishment because I am helping to make these artifacts accessible to the public. And when doing it, I am part of a really nice team of people who are all contributors to our community.’’

Need Research Assistance?

We all wish that COVID 19 precautions were not keeping us from seeing each other, but until the medical folks give us the “All Clear” signal, we’ll have to stay apart. If you have a research question that involves Chaska history or its people and establishments, please call our office and leave a message: 952-448-6077.

Even better, send us an email with the details of your question and one of our volunteers will try to answer with their research findings: historical@chaskahistory.org.
If you want to make it really personal, write us a letter: Chaska Historical Society, 112 West 4^th St., Chaska, MN 55318.

NOTE: Please realize that we are not picking up messages or mail daily, but we will get back to you as soon as we can.

Doris Coghill, Chaska History Center Treasurer and Volunteer

Volunteer Spotlight - Doris Coghill

Doris Plocher grew up in three different houses on Walnut Street in Chaska, and is known as Dorie to family and friends. She graduated from Chaska high school in 1970, married Bruce Coghill and moved to Jordan. She and her husband recently moved to a new house back into Carver County. For all of you old-time Chaska people, Bruce’s uncle was Father Elston Coghill - a priest at Guardian Angels Catholic Church in the 1960s.

In the mid 2000s Dorie came to the Historical Society to see if they needed another volunteer. She was assigned to help with the input of data into the new museum collection software that the society had started using. Dorie quickly graduated to the role of resident computer wizard when all of the computers were infected with a virus. No good deed goes unpunished, so managing the Society’s initial web site and coordinating computer updates with the city Information Technology department were also added to her duties. With energy still available, Dorie has worked as the Society’s Treasurer and has held Board positions. A few years ago, she even tried her hand at curating the toy exhibit at the History Center.

Dorie is also involved in beading artistry - read more about her worldwide interest in beads!

Marcia Mittelsted and Mittlested Motor Service

Member Profile - Marcia Mittlested Maguire

One of the Chaska Historical Society’s long-time members and supporters is Marcia Mittelsted Maguire, of St. Simon’s Island, Georgia. Though she lives far away now, Marcia grew up in Chaska, the daughter of Al and Edna (Glaeser) Mittelsted. She and her parents and her brother David lived at 217 Pine Street. Al Mittelsted owned the Motor Service Company located on the south side of Second Street.

According to Marcia, her mother Edna could have been a career woman if times had been different. Her mother was active in the community during the 1920s and 1930s and served on the Welfare Board and was a GOP leader.

Sharing a back yard with Marcia, Tracey DuToit Swanson became her best friend. Other friends growing up were Janie Schimelpfenig, Janet Schlefsky, Marilyn Burkhart and the Kerber twins – Margie and Marie. Marcia has great memories of Camp Fire Girls activities and church-related outings. St. John’s Church conducted services in both German and English while Marcia was growing up.

Honored as Chaska High School homecoming queen in 1954, Marcia then attended Macalester College and earned her teaching degree. One of the activities she enjoyed most during her college years involved flying with the college flying club. A Macalester College alumnus had donated a two-person tri-gear airplane to the school and provided instructors. Marcia and her college friends would go to the St. Paul airport for instructions and flying. She learned navigation and earned her solo pilot license. Marcia says she was a dreamer and when offered a position in California for two years, she immediately signed the contract. Teaching in the Los Angeles area took her away, but Marcia always returned home to Chaska in the summer. Marcia and her friends would go to Schneider Shores at Lake Bavaria and spend time at the Lake, but never learned the art of water skiing.

After her California contract ended, she had heard about teaching opportunities overseas. She became a 5^th and 6^th grade teacher at military bases in Okinawa, Japan and later in Germany. In 1967 Marcia married Robert Maguire, who was an officer in the US Army. They were stationed in Washington, D.C., Panama and Atlanta.

Marcia shared the story about how she came to live in her present location, on St. Simon’s Island, Georgia. A friend asked her if she would like to go on a retreat, sponsored by the Methodist church at St. Simons Island. Marcia said she fell in love with the beauty of the island and it eventually became her home. She now resides in a senior living facility and enjoys her interesting neighbors and friends. She remains committed to her community and works with restoration of a one-room school house that had been used during segregation. The restored building now offers monthly speakers, artists and a gathering place. Featured speakers have included Loretta Scott King.

When asked about why she supports the Chaska History Center she responded that her favorite memories are from her Chaska days and the friendships that have remained with her over the years. She values the opportunity to connect and talk with her friends in Chaska and can be contacted through: MarciaMaguire@comcast.net

She believes that people are fascinating, especially if you can get them to talk about their passions.