Local News

Historical society to highlight Niagara river bluffs over 2 days

NIAGARA, Wis. -- The towering bluffs along the Menominee River will be celebrated this weekend as the Niagara Area Historical Society brings back one of its popular special events.

The two-day Bluffs of Niagara festivities will feature an art exhibit, a bonfire and storytelling, Sherman Street memories, rock painting and a geological presentation exploring how the area's dramatic landscape was formed.

The event is a condensed version of an extended 10-day program the society hosted in 2016.

"It's a re-creation of what we did 10 years ago," Historical Society President Karen Klenke said. "It was fantastic and this weekend will be just as wonderful."

The bluffs, which rise along the Menominee River on the Michigan-Wisconsin border, have long been an important part of Niagara's landscape and identity. The rugged rock formations and gorges provide a scenic backdrop that draws photographers, visitors and residents.

Klenke said the event is an opportunity to recognize the importance of the bluffs to the community.

"We need to honor this beautiful gift that we have in our town," she said.

The celebration begins Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. at the Niagara Area Historical Museum, where visitors can view an extensive collection of artwork depicting the bluffs.

The society has collected a large number photographs through the years, while a display by local artists shows the bluffs from a variety of perspectives.

Jim Zukowski, who helped lead the effort to revive and adapt the original program, said the display demonstrates how differently people can see the same landscape.

"From an artistic point of view, you can see the different perspectives of each artist, as many of the pieces are vary from one another," Zukowski said. "They see different things in the bluffs. Some see a certain color, while others see a particular form."

Among the pieces on display will be a painting by Steve Wysocki of Armstrong Creek, Wis. Wysocki painted a bluff scene for the original event 10 years ago, and that image was reproduced as a poster that will be available for purchase.

"We're hope that people that browse through enjoy all of our collections," Klenke said.

The society also will offer various bluff-themed items for sale, including canvas and poster reproductions, notecards and T-shirts. Two pieces painted on wood by Zukowski and original artwork by Klenke's late daughter, Jill Klenke Smith, will be among the pieces for sale.

Tents will be set up in the museum parking lot to expand the display space.

Saturday's activities will continue with rock painting for all ages. Participants will be provided with paints and brushes to create their own "kindness rocks."

"It's going to be a lot of fun," NAHS board member Darlene Kadulski said.

"We all love rocks -- that's the whole idea," Klenke said.

The celebration will then move to the Niagara boat landing at 5 p.m. for a bonfire, storytelling and s'mores. Visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.

Storytellers Bob Butler, Fritz Rouse and Rick Wagner will share stories during the campfire program.

The gathering is modeled after a similar event during the original celebration, when three Niagara residents who grew up in the community -- Bob Butler, Ted Zukowski and Paul Jensen -- shared memories of the area.

Klenke said the historical society plans to record the storytelling, as well as highlights from the entire event, to preserve the memories for its archives and future exhibits.

"We did this for the 10-day event and have it all saved on DVDs," Kadulski said.

Sunday will bring another opportunity to view the exhibit, which will be open from noon to 3 p.m.

Geologist Paula Leier-Engelhardt will present a program at 3 p.m. on the geological history of the bluffs and explain the forces that shaped the area's unusual landscape.

Leier-Engelhardt, owner and principal geologist of HydroGeo Solutions LLC in Little Suamico, Wis., has more than 29 years of consulting experience. She is a certified professional geologist through the American Institute of Professional Geologists.

She presented during the society's original Bluffs on the Menominee event.

Zukowski said the geological presentation is one of the features he is particularly looking forward to seeing return.

"Not only is it an important part, probably for some the most interesting part of the event," he said.

Klenke and Zukowski both recalled how much they learned from Leier-Engelhardt's previous presentation.

"She explains how it got there, and what it's made of, going back through the geological timetable," Klenke said.

One fact that particularly stayed with Zukowski was learning about the massive ice sheet that once covered the region.

"One of the fascinating things that I heard her say was that at one time this area was covered by an ice pack that was a mile thick," he said. "The earth is still rebounding from that pressure."

Leier-Engelhardt also will bring different types of rocks to illustrate her presentation and will answer questions afterward.

"She's very animated, very knowledgeable and easy to listen to because she loves rocks and the bluffs so much," Klenke said. "We hope everyone takes advantage of this great presentation."

After the program, at 4 p.m. Sunday brothers Gary and David Sielaff will share memories of growing up on Sherman Street and living within sight of the bluffs.

The brothers could see the formations from their living room window and, according to Klenke, spent plenty of time watching the activity around them.

"Their entertainment was looking through the binoculars and seeing what was happening, and what was moving in the bluffs," she said.

The presentation will be a conversation between the brothers, as they recall what Niagara and the bluffs were like while they were growing up.

Kadulski said the storytelling at the original event demonstrated how much can be learned simply by "just listening to these three gentlemen talk."

The evening will conclude with karaoke with Vicki Bourassa, and the society will serve build-your-own "bluff" ice cream sundaes.

The community will have an opportunity to participate in shaping the historical society's future, as they will display possible designs for a new museum logo. Visitors are invited to select their favorite artwork, Zukowski said.

As part of the event, the group distributed coloring sheets to Niagara Elementary School, as well as the local daycare, to create their own work to be displayed for the event.

The bluffs have long been part of the recreational and cultural life of Niagara. Residents have walked along them, photographed them and enjoyed views of the river valley. In the fall, the formations become especially popular with visitors.

"People come through, and you see cars lined up, taking pictures," Klenke said. "They are so beautiful and almost hypnotizing to a point."

Zukowski said the changing seasons also provide constantly different views of the formations.

The weekend is ultimately about connecting Niagara's natural landscape with the community's history.

"It just created a tremendous interest from the entire area," Klenke said of the original event.

Kadulski said it provides an opportunity as well for visitors to explore the museum's other collections.

The Niagara Area Historical Museum is at 1364 River St. in Niagara.

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Terri Castelaz can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 85241, or tcastelaz@ironmountaindailynews.com.