Chelsea Community History Project: Korean War from chelsealibrary on Vimeo.

We are proud to present our latest documentary, honoring the men who served in the Korean War and sharing their stories through film. The Chelsea Community History Project: Korean War was made possible through a partnership of the American Legion Post #31, Chelsea VFW Post #4076 and the Chelsea District Library. We thank our community sponsors as well. As part of the Chelsea Community History Project, this film was supported by the Chelsea Community Foundation. Thanks to Video Farm Productions for their creativity and hard work that went into this film.

Many thanks to the participants and supporters who made this film possible.

Chelsea Community History Project: Village Life from chelsealibrary on Vimeo.

The Chelsea Community History Project: Village Life documentary is a love letter to Chelsea, aimed a telling the story of how life in this community has changed through the years. We focused on the central downtown of Chelsea and collected the stories of longtime residents and business owners, sharing their recollections of how things used to be and how they came to be the way they are.

This film was made possible by the people who were willing to sit down and share their memories and stories with us on camera – thank you to our interview subjects. It was generously supported by the Chelsea Community Foundation. The film was made by the talented and hardworking folks at Video Farm Productions. Chelsea District Library librarians Emily Meloche and Sara Wedell  worked hard at making this concept a reality. Thanks to all those involved.

We premiered the Village Life documentary at the Washington Street Education Center on October 21, 2012 before a great crowd of Chelsea residents and supporters. Thanks to everyone who came out to be a part of this event!

This film will be available to borrow from the library or purchase through the Friends of the Chelsea District Library – please check with the library for details.

In January of 1959, Ralph Guenther took photographs of Bill and Mac, members of a band called The Storm.  The two really hammed it up for the camera, posing with their guitars.

Does anyone remember The Storm? Do you know who else was in the band?  (Surely they were made up of more than two guitarists.)  If so, email Sarah at sconrad@chelseadistrictlibrary.org.

Bill from "The Storm"

 

Mac from "The Storm"

In 1959, Ralph Guenther was hired to take photographs for the Chelsea High School Yearbook.  A set of eleven photos seemed to be the results of the senior mock elections, and a little investigating in the 1959 yearbook revealed that to be true.  Take a look at the following pictures and try to guess what “awards” they won.  The answers are at the bottom of the page!

Delores Scripter and Loren Keezer

 

Elaine Walker and Bob Eder

 

Fritz Wagner and Sharon Slane

Don Ferguson and Anita Eisemann

 

Pat Merkel and Sandie Karner

Gus Steger and Priscilla Neal

Chuck Slocum and Veretta Greenwood

Sandie Fraser and Bob Smith

 

Lynn McMannis and Frank Fredericks

 

David Schroen and Ellen Keusch

Steve Bristle and Helen Lentz

Most Athletic

Delores Scripter and Loren Keezer

Friendliest

Elaine Walker and Bob Eder

Best School Spirit

Fritz Wagner and Sharon Slane

Best Dressed

Don Ferguson and Anita Eisemann

Best All Around

Pat Merkel and Sandie Karner

Most Flirtatious

Gus Steger and Priscilla Neal

Sleepiest

Chuck Slocum and Veretta Greenwood

Wittiest

Sandie Fraser and Bob Smith

Class Sweethearts

Lynn McMannis and Frank Fredericks

Most Studious

David Schroen and Ellen Keusch

Most Courteous

Steve Bristle and Helen Lentz

This Saturday is the Homecoming dance at Chelsea High School.  Somehow I suspect it will look a little different than these photos from the 1959 CHS Homecoming dance, which were taken by Ralph Guenther.

For many in this town, fall means Chelsea Football!  While you’re waiting for the Bulldog’s next game, jump back to the 1950s and take a look at these football pictures taken by Ralph Guenther, local photographer. 

This photo of Stan Knickerbocker was taken sometime in the 1950s.

 

Players and coaches study the plays (or, I suspect, pretend to for the photo). We don’t know the names of the people, or the exact date, but this photograph was taken sometime in the 1950s.

 

This picture and the two that follow it were taken on March 10 1959 for the Chelsea High School yearbook. I doubt they were playing football games in March, so it’s likely that these players suited up just for the camera.

 

Here’s the 1959 football team. This photo was also taken on March 10, 1959 for the CHS yearbook.

 As usual, if you are able to identify anyone in these photographs, email sconrad@chelseadistrictlibrary.org.

In the 1950s, Chelsea High School journalism students published “The Bulldog Barks,” a student newsletter.  This paper, as one might expect, covered the school events, featured students, and reported the scores of athletic games.  However, it also devoted an impressive amount of space to the biggest issue facing the school: chewing gum.

The reasons behind the no gum chewing rule were laid out in the March 11, 1952 edition of “The Bulldog Barks.” 

Though the reasons behind the rule seem reasonable, that doesn’t stop chewing gum from being the center of three of these listed pet peeves of the September 23, 1952 issue.

Chewing Gum was also an issue at the Junior High School, as noted by this snarky signed editorial on the Junior High News Page on October 27, 1953.

These articles are just three out of a countless number that deal with the controversy around the chewing-gum rules.  It is, without a doubt, the most represented topic in “The Bulldog Barks.”

We’ve already featured some of the weddings documented by Chelsea-area photographer Ralph Guenther—but he did more than just weddings!  The majority of photographs Mr. Guenther took were portraits—and several were of some pretty adorable children.

Today we’ll look at highlights of portraits taken in 1958.  The only names we have associated with the photos are the names of the people who ordered them—who almost certainly aren’t the children pictured.  If you are able to identify any of these cuties, email sconrad@chelseadistrictlibrary.org.

Take a look at that grin! This photo was taken on May 24, 1958 and was ordered by Don Fritz.

 

This little guy seems pretty happy, too. Gotta love that bow-tie! This picture was taken on July 12, 1958 and was ordered by Mrs. D. Salyer.

 

Not all little ones were happy to get their photos taken, like this 8-month old. This photo was taken on November 6, 1958 and was ordered by Jim Clark.

 

This fella might be a little overwhelmed by the photography process, but he’s keeping his cool. This portrait was taken on October 24, 1958 and was ordered by Mrs. Carl Koch.

 

Mrs. Floyd Schneider ordered this picture, taken on October 22, 1958. I wonder what was happening behind the camera to get that reaction…

 

This young lady’s a little older than the other featured children, but how can you resist that smile? This photo was taken on September 9, 1958 and was ordered by M. Guenther. Perhaps this girl was related to the photographer?

 

Boy does this family portrait feature a lot of kids. Can you imagine taking care of that many little ones? This picture was taken on December 3, 1958 and was ordered by John Thomas.

Happy First Day of Summer!  Get out there and enjoy some ice cream like these children in 1958.

This photograph of Chelsea’s Dairy Queen was taken by Ralph Guenther in 1958.