Events and Meetings

Lincoln Among the Badgers – presentation and book signing

Date: February 7, 2022
Time: 7:00 pm
Steve Rogstad with his Books

Speaker: Steven Rogstad

Topic: Lincoln Among the Badgers, author presentation and book signing

Location: Kimissis tis Theotokou Greek Orthodox Church, 1335 South Green Bay Road, Racine

Printable Meeting Notice: Meeting Notice

Additional Information:

If you have heard Steve speak before, you know that you’re in for a treat with this presentation. As one of our own past presidents of Preservation Racine, he has honored us with a number of very entertaining and informative talks with the Rogstad twist. In this program, Steve will present some highlights of his new book, Lincoln Among the Badgers, which will also be available for purchase. Afterwards, he will sign copies, whether already purchased or snapped up at the meeting.

A Christmas Carol: Charles Dickens’ Hidden Motivations

Date: December 6, 2021
Time: 12:00 am - 12:00 am
A Christmas Carol, first edition cover, detail
A Christmas Carol, first edition cover, detail

Speaker: Rochelle Pennington

Topic: The Hidden Motivations behind Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol

Location: Racine Yacht Club, 1 Barker Street, Racine

Printable Meeting Notice: Meeting Notice

Additional Information: Rochelle Pennington joins us at the Rachine Yacht Club to hare her take on the hidden motivations behind Dickens’ writing of A Christmas Carol. If you have never heard Ms. Pennington speak, you’ve missed a tour de force of the spoken word. Her knowledge, research and enthusiasm always enthralls us!

We do ask that attendees wear masks (supplies at hand if you have forgotten your own). Light refreshments available after the meeting.

First Presbyterian Church and the Abolition

Date: November 8, 2021
Time: 12:00 am - 12:00 am
First_Presbyterian_Church_Racine,WI

Speaker: multiple

Topic: Stories of First Presbyterian abolitionists

Location: First Presbyterian Church, 716 College Avenue (intersection College Avenue and Seventh Street), Racine

Printable Meeting Notice: Meeting Notice

Additional Information: Our first membership meeting for over a year, and unusually, this is on the SECOND Monday, November 8. 7:00 pm. The church was built in 1852, designed by Lucas Bradley with a spire inspired by England’s Sir Christopher Wren (note its distinctive slender grace and its fanciful juxtaposition with classical columns).

The easiest entrance is via the parking lot at the back of the church (on College Avenue), and there is an elevator.

We do ask that attendees wear masks (supplies at hand if you have forgotten your own). Light refreshments available after the meeting.

 

2021, Tour of Historic Places

Date: September 26, 2021
Time: 12:00 am - 12:00 am
One of the Buildings on the tour of Elmwood Park and Elm Terrace
One of the Buildings on the tour of Elmwood Park and Elm Terrace

Our Tour of Historic Places is expected to go ahead this fall on Sunday, September 26, 2021 (that is, the last Sunday in September). The tour, on the theme of Modern Beauty, will be in Elmwood Park and nearby, and will show how a development with a view to the highest quality modern living came together during the first half of the 20th century. Using his own family land, the developer worked with some of Racine’s best architects (including J Mandor Matson and Hans Geyer), and the best building contractors to produce highly crafted houses with every modern convenience. Every house was different, each was built with attached single, double, and even triple garages, and the whole was set in the beautiful Elmwood, just south of the Taylor Children’s Asylum.

Tickets include entrance to five houses, one school and one church, and a talk at the Taylor Monument. Prices are $18.00 on the day of the tour, or $15 in advance.

Ticket Outlets:

  • Borzyinsky’s Farm and Floral Market, 11600 Washington Avenue, Sturtevant
  • Mileager’s, 4838 Douglas Avenue, Racine
        and 8717 Hyway 11, Sturtevant
  • Miller’s Flowers, 219 Sixth Street, Racine
  • O & H Bakeries, 4917 Douglas Avenue, Racine
        and 4006 Durand Avenue, Racine
        and 5910 Washington Avenue, Racine
  • Personal Touch Flowers by Julie, 5445 Spring Street, Racine
  • Racine Heritage Museum, 701 Main Street, Racine
  • Uncorckt, 240 Main Street, Racine
  • Wilson’s Coffee & Tea, 3306 Washington Avenue, Racine

Join us!

 

December Meeting

Date: December 2, 2019
Time: 12:00 am - 12:00 am
The Endurance Trapped in Polar Ice in 1912
The Endurance Trapped in Polar Ice in 1912, photo wiki commons

Speaker: Rochelle Pennington

Topic: The Endurance – History’s Greatest Shipwreck

Location: Racine Yacht Club, 1 Barker Street, Racine

Printable Meeting Notice: Membership meeting

Additional Information: The Endurance was owned by legendary explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton, who set off with his crew in December 1914 in a race to be the first to cross Antarctica but the ship was crushed by ice and sank in the Weddell Sea in early 1915. Shackleton and his entire crew made an arduous journey over the ice and all survived. Rochelle Pennington is a riveting speaker, back by popular request to tell us about another ship wreck. We meet again at the Racine Yacht Club, 1 Barker Street, Racine, where we will also enjoy our usual high quality Christmas Potluck and buy drinks from the friendly bar.

 

November Membership Meeting

Date: November 4, 2019
Time: 12:00 am - 12:00 am
Bethania Lutheran Church, 4120 Wright Avenue, Racine
Bethania Lutheran Church, 4120 Wright Avenue, Racine

Speaker: Michele Caskey

Topic: Why the Danes Came to Racine

Location: Bethania Lutheran Church, 4120 Wright Avenue, Racine

Additional Information: Bethania Evangelical Lutheran Church was founded in 1896 by Danish Emigrants to Racine. Regular services were in Danish until 1945 when all regular worship went to English. But English services had been offered from 1927, and Danish services are still offered today. Danish Christmas Eve Worship is offered every year December 24, 3:00 p.m.

 

TOUR OF HISTORIC PLACES

Date: September 29, 2019
Time: 12:00 am - 12:00 am
Some of the grocery store premiums on display at the church
Some of the grocery store premiums that will be on display at the First Evangelical Lutheran church, 728 Villa Street, Racine

Preservation Racine’s Annual Tour of Historic Places will take place again this year on our traditional day (the last Sunday in September). Our theme is A Premium Collection and it is complemented by collector/historian Jim Mercier’s exhibit of Racine Grocery Store Premiums (or promotional items), which will be found at the lower level of our public building, First Lutheran Evangelical Church, 728 Villa Street, Racine. A link to more information will be added here soon.

Tickets are $15 until Friday 27 September
Tickets are $18 on 29 September, available at the First Lutheran Evangelical Church and the tour houses.

 

May Meeting

Date: May 6, 2019
Time: 12:00 am - 12:00 am
Century Buildings

Speaker: Pippin Michelli

Topic: The Century Building Awards

Location: The Great Hall, DeKoven Center, Racine

Additional Info: This is always a festive event when we choose about a dozen 100-year-old buildings to recognize for their good and authentic condition. Our volunteers excel themselves on the catering, and our honored awardees receive a certificate, a photograph of their building, and the opportunity to say something about their building if they choose (no pressure!). The event is purely to encourage an appreciation of our heritage and an opportunity to congratulate people for care that often goes unnoticed. It has no impact on future freedoms for the building owners.

 

Extra Event: The Big Three +1

Date: April 3, 2019
Time: 12:00 am - 12:00 am
pr-logo-250-ht

Local historians John Van Thiel, Jim Mercier, Gerald Karwowski and Steven Rogstad share a stage for the very first time to discuss aspects of Racine history.

Join us for a night of Racine history and fun, with audience participation!

The Covenant at Murray Mansion, 2219 Washington Ave, Racine, WI

Wednesday, April 3, 2019, 5:30 pm cash bar; 6:00 pm dinner, 7:00 pm program

To reserve your seat call (262) 412 2511 by April 1

March Meeting

Date: March 4, 2019
Time: 12:00 am - 12:00 am
First Evangelical Lutheran
First Evangelical Lutheran: a 170-year-old foundation and a 140-year-old church!

Speaker: to be announced

Topic: Historical Tour of the Church

Location: First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 728 Villa Street, Racine

Additional info: The First Evangelical Lutheran Church celebrates the 170th anniversary of its founding this year, and the church itself will celebrate the 140th anniversary of its dedication.