Annual guided historical walking tour will showcase legendary figures
By Audrey Posten | Times-Register
Meet some of McGregor’s legendary figures during the fifth installment of the Legends of McGregor’s Past Guided Historical Walking Tour.
Tours will depart from the McGregor Historical Museum at 256 Main St. from 5 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 30, and again from 1 to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 31. Attendees can arrive any time during those slots, and guides will lead them to five locations in downtown McGregor, where community members portraying historical figures will act out short skits.
This year’s characters include visionary photographer Margery Goergen and revered Ho-Chunk figure Emma Big Bear, doll manufacturer Ruth Hoseley, beloved swimming instructor Gordon Lord, notable bowyers Lloyd Eddings and George Birnie and puppeteers Bruce and Nola Bucknell.
All are featured for the first time. In fact, this is the first Legends event to solely include more recent historical figures from the 20th century. Many current and former community members will remember them personally.
“There are more older historical people we haven’t done, but this is a different era or time period to mine,” shared McGregor Public Library Director Michelle Pettit, an event organizer and writer of the scripts. “Your own memories give you a connection and make people more relevant than some of the older stories—or relevant in a different way. I think it will be wonderful when people share their own memories. This is our opportunity to share that information.”
Pettit acknowledged people’s personal knowledge of the characters makes writing a script, and then acting it out, more intimidating.
“You always want to get things historically accurate,” she remarked.
Pettit relied on newspaper accounts to craft the narratives, utilizing direct quotes whenever possible. But she also consulted a popular local Facebook group called “If you grew up in Marquette/McGregor IA you remember…”
While researching Gordon Lord, who not only taught hundreds of area children to swim but was a nationally recognized photographer, Pettit read children would shout, “Hi, Gordon!” or “It’s Gordon!”
“Did that really happen?” she wondered. Group members confirmed it did.
“I like to find these kinds of things. It enriches what we know,” Pettit added.
In one skit, attendees will meet Margery Goergen and Emma Big Bear. Goergen started her photography career under brother-in-law Oscar Fryklund, and eventually operated her own Goergen Studio. She was renowned for documenting the people and beauty of the area. One subject was Emma Big Bear—an artist in her own right through basket and jewelry making—who was the last Ho-Chunk native to live in traditional ways along the Upper Mississippi River. Through a monologue, a young actress portraying Goergen will tell how the two came together in a spirit of respect, recognition and purpose on a spring day in 1960.
Pettit said including Emma Big Bear in the event has always been a special case.
“If you want to focus on her, how do you do that in a way that’s culturally appropriate?” she shared. “This solution was a happy coming together with the Marge Goergen photograph.”
Another tour stop will highlight Lloyd Eddings, a former cabinetmaker who founded Eddings Archery Company in McGregor, turning it into one of the most respected archery shops in the United States. Scotsman and master bower George Birnie joined Eddings to shape the elegant, powerful bows, which are still prized by collectors today.
Pettit recalls her grandfather talking about Eddings frequently.
“He’s remembered for his bows, and they are still talked about with distinction,” she commented.
Another character, Ruth Hoseley, founded the Hoseley Party Doll Manufacturing Company in McGregor. During the 1950s, a cottage industry of local women created the dolls, which made their way around the country, while many local girls helped name them.
“Both Hoseley and Eddings were local industry. They were giving local people jobs,” Pettit said. She likes that the skits show “how they did unique things and how they fit into the community.”
The final skit depicts Bruce and Nola Bucknell, who restored McGregor’s former city hall on A Street, turning it into Mr. Punch’s Studio, where they handcrafted marvelous marionettes that earned national honors for over two decades. Their artistry reached thousands through performances, commercials and festivals.
The tour stop will be at the building—and caves—the Bucknells restored, adding a greater connection to the story.
Attendees are encouraged to peruse the McGregor Historical Museum before or after the walking tours, which will take 45 minutes to one hour. Artifacts representing each person mentioned in the tour can be found at the museum.
“You can look at the bows, the dolls, the baskets, the photographs. Marionettes will be on display,” Pettit said. “Then, on the tour, you can see or hear what went into it.”
Legends of McGregor is a collaborative effort between the McGregor Historic Preservation Commission, McGregor Historical Museum and McGregor Public Library. Free will donations at the event will support the organizations.
Pettit hopes all involved will celebrate the “Legends of McGregor.”
“This is a time to celebrate people who other people remember,” she said.
To learn more about the Legends of McGregor’s Past Guided Historical Walking Tour, visit the “McGregor Historical Museum” Facebook page.
