WRITINGS The Seth Peterson Cottage Conservancy Inc. 440 Viking Drive Reedsburg, WI 53959 WRITINGS Address Service Requested NEWSLETTER OF THE SETH PETERSON COTTAGE CONSERVANCY Volume XXX, Issue I SPRING 2018 HOW TO HELP THE COTTAGE
ike other not-for-profit L organizations, the Seth What’s Inside Peterson Cottage Conservancy (SPCC) relies on - New Newsletter Designer volunteers to accomplish our - How to Help the Cottage work. We are looking for people - From the President interested in the work of Frank Lloyd Wright, especially the - The Lovness Cottage Seth Peterson Cottage. Some - Mirror Lake State Park Report ways to volunteer for the - Mirror Lake Association Update conservancy include: - From the Guest Book Board of Directors: The board meets quarterly isitors find touring the cottage during the open house tours held each throughout the year and holds V a great way to spend a Sunday month. an annual meeting in December. UPCOMING EVENTS afternoon. Take a scenic drive For more information about the Members oversee long-term and experience firsthand this restored cottage, visit us online at planning for the cottage and the SPCC. Seth Peterson Cottage Open House and Frank Lloyd Wright-designed home SethPeterson.org. Guided Tour ‘WRITINGS’ WELCOMES NEW DESIGNER Treasurer: The SPCC is - May 13, 1 to 3:30 p.m., $5 The Seth Peterson Cottage is located currently looking for a new By Brian R. Hannan feet of it — and then hurried to make - June 10, 1 to 3:30 p.m., $5 treasurer on the board of some pictures before the daylight faded. - July 8, 1 to 3:30 p.m., $5 at E9982 Fern Dell Road in directors. The current treasurer hen an opening at the Frank Lloyd My friend and I then headed to the store - August 12, 1 to 3:30 p.m., $5 Lake Delton, Wisconsin will assist in the transition. W Wright-designed Seth Peterson to stock up for dinner that night (T-bone - September 9, 1 to 3:30 p.m., $5 Cottage unexpectedly became steaks, caramelized onion/mushroom and - October 14, 1 to 3:30 p.m., $5 Docents: Lead tours available in January 2017, I had only one Caesar salad) and breakfast the next - November 11, 1 to 3:30 p.m., $5 explaining to visitors the history thought: Road trip! morning (poached eggs, toast, bacon and - December 9, 1 to 3:30 p.m., $5 of the Seth Peterson Cottage and I recruited a friend, and we made plans coffee). I built a blazing fire in the Frank Lloyd Wright. Training is to leave the next morning for a brief, fireplace. After dinner, we sat around the Seth Peterson Cottage Conservancy provided. overnight visit. I’d been wanting to stay at hearth and talked. members receive free admission and 10 the cottage since I learned of it in the fall Snow began falling as we chatted and percent off cottage merchandise. Cottage and Grounds of 2016 while preparing for an outing continued overnight. We awoke to a Maintenance: Participate in the to Taliesin, Wright’s home and studio winter wonderland. Statewide State Park Open House annual spring clean-up the week in Spring Green, Wisconsin. Laying in bed that evening before I following the open house in The cottage, however, was booked solid fell asleep, I thought of Peterson and the - June 3, includes free admission to the Seth April. Work includes a deep for all of 2017 and, for that matter, much dream that brought him to this idyllic spot. Peterson Cottage and all state parks, forests cleaning of the cottage and of 2018. His long-fought campaign to convince a and trails grounds, and trail maintenance. Even so, I made a daily habit of reluctant Wright to design a house for him checking the reservation website, hoping finally paid off, and he looked forward to Conservancy Annual Meeting and To learn more about for a cancellation. I was soon rewarded. sharing it with his fiancée. Volunteer Recognition volunteering for the SPCC, When we arrived, I was so excited to see And then Wright, a childhood hero with attend one of our open houses. the cottage that I saw past the overcast, whom Peterson shared a birthday, died. - December 9, 4 p.m. Contact information is available gray skies and soggy, brown yard. I took a on page 2. quick tour of the house — all 880 square continued on page 3 2 - WRITINGS SPRING 2018 - 7 WRITINGS
WRITINGS is a publication of the Seth Peterson Cottage Conservancy Inc.
Editor: Jerry Minnich Designer: Brian R. Hannan Coordinator: Kermit Traska Submit articles and pictures to: [email protected]
SETH PETERSON COTTAGE CONSERVANCY INC. Work week projects in early April included restocking the cottage’s woodpile. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Souvenir Coffee Mug for 2018 President: Kermit Traska FROM THE PRESIDENT First Vice President: Bill Martinelli By Kermit Traska The Lovness Cottage fireplace offers an additional side The 2018 souvenir coffee mug Second Vice President: James Booth hearth and features a less-massive, protruding stone hood. design is included in this newsletter. Treasurer: Paul Wagner ow do we follow a terrific year Cottage guests each receive a Secretary: Peter Rott H like last year — in which we celebrated our silver complimentary coffee mug. Do you have a favorite Frank Lloyd ALIKE BUT DIFFERENT MEMBERS anniversary? More than 200 people continued from page 5 attended the anniversary program.The Wright quote that could be included interest in Frank Lloyd Wright and the on the 2019 coffee mug? Write to us Claire Barnett, Jim Draeger, Bill Dupuy, Cottage is longer by several feet. Seth Peterson Cottage is strong. with your suggestion. If we choose Tim Heggland, Dr. Steven Kincaid, Like the Seth Peterson Cottage, the Lovness Cottage is Cottage reservations remain high with your entry, we'll give you a mug! Carolyne Kotchi, Raymond Matlosz, recessed into a slope above a lake, but the Lovness Cottage dates into 2020 already taken. The Jerry Minnich, Heather Sabin, Beth has a berm around its bedroom and back wall. Steps lead up number of monthly open house Volunteers Needed Zondag-Traska to the entrance, rather than down, making its setting quite visitors continues high. An article in this newsletter dramatic.
Ex-OFFICIO MEMBERS Thank You, Alice Seeliger describes the number of hours put in Floor plans of the Lovness Cottage, top, and Seth by our volunteers. Peterson Cottage, bottom, illustrate the similarities and Author’s Note: The Lovness Cottage is not open to the Mark Blakesee, President, Mirror Lake While we are thankful for them, we notable differences at the two properties. They are Our last newsletter had a help public. Special thanks to Peter Rott and Gordon Maltby for Association wanted notice for a new layout and are always looking for more helpers, provided for illustration purposes, only, and were drawn sharing their Lovness Cottage research. Ryder Will, Superintendent, Mirror Lake design person. Two people responded, especially as docents for open house by Bill Martinelli. State Park with Brian R. Hannan being selected. days and for the annual spring You have been introduced to Brian, a cleaning days following the April CONSERVANCY STAFF Frank Lloyd Wright enthusiast, with open house. the cover story of this newsletter. We Many of our board members have FROM THE GUEST BOOK treasure to restore and keep this artwork morning. This cottage sleeps, wakes and Office Manager: Ron Dakter welcome Brian and extend a heartfelt served for a number of years, some alive for all.” — Laura & Jack breathes with life. Special place. Special Marketing Coordinator: Gail Kohl thank you to Alice Seeliger for from the beginning of the “I just love it here and am so grateful for time spent. Thank you, Frank Lloyd carrying out these duties since the conservancy. the space and time Seth allows for “Thanks to Frank Lloyd Wright for Wright and Seth.” — Rachel, Scott, RESERVATIONS early days of the conservancy in the We are always looking for new appreciating, centering, exploring and designing buildings on a human scale Martha & Adam late 1980s. people to serve on the board — and just being human!” — Anonymous and honoring the surrounding Contact the Sand County Service Co. at the new ideas they bring with them to environment. We are blessed to live in a “My 65th birthday present – best present 800-822-7768. Last Voyage of the Fall Color Boat continue preserving the Seth Peterson “Spending a few days in such a unique state that has fantastic parks, allowing ever! We have lived in the middle of the Tour Cottage for the next 25 years and place offers a chance to think. The all people to share nature and gems like Ketttle Moraine State Forest for 35 CONTACT US beyond. Anyone with an interest in cottage brings out the best from within this cottage. Let’s continue to support a years and never felt more in touch with After many years of having the Fall helping the conservancy can contact you....” — David & Janine system that shares this earth’s bounty, nature than we do here. This space is Website: www.SethPeterson.org Color Boat Tour and Reception, the us by e-mail at: humanely and democratically.” — spiritual. Truly was on my bucket list. Facebook: Search for the Seth Peterson board decided to cancel the event for [email protected]. “We came to celebrate Jack’s 65th Stephen & Margit Thanks to all those with vision and Cottage Conservancy Inc. this year. The board is discussing Thank you for your continuing birthday. The Seth Peterson Cottage is fortitude before us for saving and Cottage voicemail: 877-466-2358 other possible events for this fall or support of the Seth Peterson Cottage spectacular. A perfect gem. Thank you “Symphony of bird song. Owl at night, keeping this place. Fills my soul.” — other open house days. Conservancy. to all who gave of themselves and their song birds at daybreak, cranes in Jan & Paul 6 - WRITINGS SPRING 2018 - 3
MIRROR LAKE STATE PARK REPORT excited for some new perspectives and fresh enthusiasm. The new staff will join approximately 10 returning summer By Ryder Will, Park Supervisor 2018 SOUVENIR MUG SPEAKS TO WRIGHT’S PHILOSOPHY employees. or Peter Rott, a practicing ere at Mirror Lake State Park we are finishing up a Thank You to Our Volunteers architect, Seth Peterson Cottage somewhat uneventful winter. With low snow totals, we F H Conservancy board member and did not see as many skiers on our trails as we would As important as the staff mentioned above are, with the other Taliesin graduate, the Frank Lloyd have liked. We only had a week or so of good conditions for full-time employees on the team, we also must recognize that Wright quote he suggested for this skiing, leaving only the most dedicated skiers to venture out on the park and the surrounding areas would not be the fantastic year’s cottage coffee cup resonates. the trails. place that they are without the effort of volunteers for the “It struck a chord,” he says. “It’s Friends of Mirror Lake State Park and the Seth Peterson really the essence of what I took from Gearing Up for Summer Cottage Conservancy. Without the thousands of hours by Wright.” American Architecture.” The book, first whose parents commissioned Wright to dozens of volunteers, the experience here would be vastly Rott distilled the quote, “Architecture published in 1955, collects a number of build a summer residence, Fallingwater. We are now moving into spring and getting set for the busy different. — A spirit of the spirit of man,” from Wright’s lectures, letters and talks. It “(The sentiment) is simple,” Rott says. summer season. We are looking forward to getting the Just this last year, the Seth Peterson Cottage Conservancy his reading of a passage in “An was edited by Edgar Kaufmann Jr., campgrounds, trails and picnic areas ready for the public. “It speaks very strongly.” volunteers put in approximately 1,200 hours of volunteer time, and I would guess there are many additional hours that went Park Visitation Continues to Grow unreported. Without that work, the department would be left taking care of the cottage and all the associated tasks, and this We have seen small but steady increases in our visitation and certainly does not take into account all the years of work to get revenue over the last several years and are expecting that trend the cottage to where it is today. to continue. We have really noticed growth in the number of The next time you’re at the cottage, enjoying the beautiful visitors making use of the lake in boats, kayaks and canoes, structure and surroundings, I encourage you to reflect on all and on paddle boards. The quality of the water, spectacular scenery and no-wake lake make for a perfect paddling or the hard work that went into making that moment possible. boating destination. It takes a lot of work, but we are proud to provide a MIRROR LAKE ASSOCIATION UPDATE memorable experience and enjoyable destination for our By Mark Blakeslee, President visitors. n an evening in early March, I drove home in almost Thank You, Ruth Lindert O white-out snow conditions, thinking that we will soon be cleaning up our yards, planting flowers and watching In the area of staffing, we are again seeing some fresh faces the forest leaf-out. and saying goodbye as well. While this past winter didn’t bring us a lot of snow, the ice Ruth Lindert, our very talented visitor services associate, has on the lake was one of the thickest I can remember — more retired. Ruth had been at Mirror Lake since 2010, and we were than 20 inches! That meant I didn’t go out with my old, and very fortunate to have her as part of the team for that time. probably not very sharp, hand ice auger to do much ice fishing. She plans to spend more time in her garden and with her I would have spent most of the day cutting a hole, only then I family. would have been too tired to set a pole. Many of us will soon be back to work picking up litter, Welcome to Our New Ranger: Brett Johanen testing water, harvesting weeds and removing trees and I suspect that all of us who are branches that fell into the lake — just to name a few things. NEW DESIGNER drawn to the cottage have our reasons On the other side of the staffing equation, we welcomed continued from page 1 — some unique, some shared. In Brett Johanen to our ranger position. Brett joined us as a Annual Lake Cleanup recent years, I’ve visited dozens of transfer from Lapham Peak, another state property in the One year and one day later, Peterson Wright’s commercial and residential Milwaukee area. The Mirror Lake Association’s annual spring lake cleanup is — troubled by that loss, the end of his buildings, and I’ve stayed overnight in Brett brings more than eight years of experience, and we scheduled for May 5, 2018. We expect approximately 30 to 40 engagement and mounting five. Only a handful of them are as have been glad to incorporate his knowledge and abilities into people will show up on that Saturday morning to walk roads construction costs — took his own compelling to me as the cottage. the team. and park paths and paddle around the lake in boats to pick up life. He never lived in the cottage that Even as a corporate writer and In addition to the changes with Ruth and Brett we will see a debris left from winter activities. today bears his name and would not former journalist, I can’t articulate lot of new faces as part of our 2018 summer staff. The weed harvester will be readied for the lake and exist without him. why. Words fall short of the We were fortunate to have several college students working refreshing our water testing supplies. We are also making final I found myself feeling sad for and experience. with us for the last several summers. Many of them have now plans for all of our summer social activities. We have to have a grateful to Peterson for this gift, a So I was interested to learn, on the graduated and are moving on to other jobs in their areas of little play along with all the work. All are welcome and legacy so many people will be able to November 2017 evening my son and I study. encouraged to participate. We would be thrilled to have you enjoy on his behalf. last arrived home from the cottage, We plan to hire two new maintenance staff, two new office come join us. I’ve since made another two stays at that a new newsletter designer was staff and a new park and recreation specialist to assist across As always, I’d love to hear your feedback. If you have any the cottage — each time with my 5- needed. I applied that night. the team with operations, visitor service and special projects. It thoughts, comments or concerns, please give me a call or send year-old son, who regularly asks when Several weeks ago — one year and will be more new summer staff than we have hired for a an e-mail. My cellphone number is 608-575-4652 and my e- we can go back. “Soon,” I say, hoping one day since my first visit, in fact — number of years, so we expect a learning curve while being mail is [email protected]. for an opening. I was offered the position. 4 - WRITINGS SPRING 2018 - 5
ALIKEALIKE BUTBUT DIFFERENTDIFFERENT
LOVNESS COTTAGE BUILDS ON SETH PETERSON DESIGN
By Claire Barnett the Seth Peterson design over the one Wesley Peters. Wright originally designed for them. The main differences between the two here is a near duplicate of the Later, as reported by Peter Rott, a Seth cottages are in the kitchen and T Seth Peterson Cottage built in Peterson Cottage Conservancy board bathroom. The Lovness Cottage has a Stillwater, Minnesota. Here is its member and graduate of Taliesin, full basement that houses the utilities. story, plus comparison pictures of the Olgivanna Wright further encouraged By eliminating the Seth Peterson differences. them to build a version of the Seth Cottage’s utility room, a sandstone wall Donald and Virginia Lovness were Peterson Cottage, which by that time is exposed in the expanded Lovness Frank Lloyd Wright clients for whom he was decaying and in danger of Cottage kitchen. designed a house, a different cottage and demolition. It was considered lost. Decorative trim includes a ceramic tile two other buildings. They were frequent The Lovness Cottage was completed backsplash and counters and mahogany visitors to Taliesin, particularly in later in 1973. paneling — as contrasted by the Seth years, after Wright’s death. Tom Casey, who supervised the Peterson Cottage’s laminate counters According to their daughters, Lonnie building of the Seth Peterson Cottage and douglas fir plywood. and Tracy Lovness, Wright had and also worked on its design, normally In the Lovness Cottage, a loft suggested the Lovnesses build the Seth would have been involved with this overlooking the kitchen is accessed by a Peterson Cottage plan. Wright, they redesign effort. But he was out of the stairway entered from the bathroom. said, doubted whether Peterson would country, serving as the head of Taliesin The front overhang of the Lovness Left to right: Lovness Cottage facade; Seth Peterson Cottage facade and bedroom; be able to fund construction. Associated Architects in Iran. Final Lovness Cottage bedroom; Seth Peterson Cottage kitchen; and Lovness Cottage Additionally, the Lovnesses preferred design changes were made by William continued on page 7 kitchen. Photos by Claire Barnett and Bill Martinelli. 4 - WRITINGS SPRING 2018 - 5
ALIKEALIKE BUTBUT DIFFERENTDIFFERENT
LOVNESS COTTAGE BUILDS ON SETH PETERSON DESIGN
By Claire Barnett the Seth Peterson design over the one Wesley Peters. Wright originally designed for them. The main differences between the two here is a near duplicate of the Later, as reported by Peter Rott, a Seth cottages are in the kitchen and T Seth Peterson Cottage built in Peterson Cottage Conservancy board bathroom. The Lovness Cottage has a Stillwater, Minnesota. Here is its member and graduate of Taliesin, full basement that houses the utilities. story, plus comparison pictures of the Olgivanna Wright further encouraged By eliminating the Seth Peterson differences. them to build a version of the Seth Cottage’s utility room, a sandstone wall Donald and Virginia Lovness were Peterson Cottage, which by that time is exposed in the expanded Lovness Frank Lloyd Wright clients for whom he was decaying and in danger of Cottage kitchen. designed a house, a different cottage and demolition. It was considered lost. Decorative trim includes a ceramic tile two other buildings. They were frequent The Lovness Cottage was completed backsplash and counters and mahogany visitors to Taliesin, particularly in later in 1973. paneling — as contrasted by the Seth years, after Wright’s death. Tom Casey, who supervised the Peterson Cottage’s laminate counters According to their daughters, Lonnie building of the Seth Peterson Cottage and douglas fir plywood. and Tracy Lovness, Wright had and also worked on its design, normally In the Lovness Cottage, a loft suggested the Lovnesses build the Seth would have been involved with this overlooking the kitchen is accessed by a Peterson Cottage plan. Wright, they redesign effort. But he was out of the stairway entered from the bathroom. said, doubted whether Peterson would country, serving as the head of Taliesin The front overhang of the Lovness Left to right: Lovness Cottage facade; Seth Peterson Cottage facade and bedroom; be able to fund construction. Associated Architects in Iran. Final Lovness Cottage bedroom; Seth Peterson Cottage kitchen; and Lovness Cottage Additionally, the Lovnesses preferred design changes were made by William continued on page 7 kitchen. Photos by Claire Barnett and Bill Martinelli. 6 - WRITINGS SPRING 2018 - 3
MIRROR LAKE STATE PARK REPORT excited for some new perspectives and fresh enthusiasm. The new staff will join approximately 10 returning summer By Ryder Will, Park Supervisor 2018 SOUVENIR MUG SPEAKS TO WRIGHT’S PHILOSOPHY employees. or Peter Rott, a practicing ere at Mirror Lake State Park we are finishing up a Thank You to Our Volunteers architect, Seth Peterson Cottage somewhat uneventful winter. With low snow totals, we F H Conservancy board member and did not see as many skiers on our trails as we would As important as the staff mentioned above are, with the other Taliesin graduate, the Frank Lloyd have liked. We only had a week or so of good conditions for full-time employees on the team, we also must recognize that Wright quote he suggested for this skiing, leaving only the most dedicated skiers to venture out on the park and the surrounding areas would not be the fantastic year’s cottage coffee cup resonates. the trails. place that they are without the effort of volunteers for the “It struck a chord,” he says. “It’s Friends of Mirror Lake State Park and the Seth Peterson really the essence of what I took from Gearing Up for Summer Cottage Conservancy. Without the thousands of hours by Wright.” American Architecture.” The book, first whose parents commissioned Wright to dozens of volunteers, the experience here would be vastly Rott distilled the quote, “Architecture published in 1955, collects a number of build a summer residence, Fallingwater. We are now moving into spring and getting set for the busy different. — A spirit of the spirit of man,” from Wright’s lectures, letters and talks. It “(The sentiment) is simple,” Rott says. summer season. We are looking forward to getting the Just this last year, the Seth Peterson Cottage Conservancy his reading of a passage in “An was edited by Edgar Kaufmann Jr., campgrounds, trails and picnic areas ready for the public. “It speaks very strongly.” volunteers put in approximately 1,200 hours of volunteer time, and I would guess there are many additional hours that went Park Visitation Continues to Grow unreported. Without that work, the department would be left taking care of the cottage and all the associated tasks, and this We have seen small but steady increases in our visitation and certainly does not take into account all the years of work to get revenue over the last several years and are expecting that trend the cottage to where it is today. to continue. We have really noticed growth in the number of The next time you’re at the cottage, enjoying the beautiful visitors making use of the lake in boats, kayaks and canoes, structure and surroundings, I encourage you to reflect on all and on paddle boards. The quality of the water, spectacular scenery and no-wake lake make for a perfect paddling or the hard work that went into making that moment possible. boating destination. It takes a lot of work, but we are proud to provide a MIRROR LAKE ASSOCIATION UPDATE memorable experience and enjoyable destination for our By Mark Blakeslee, President visitors. n an evening in early March, I drove home in almost Thank You, Ruth Lindert O white-out snow conditions, thinking that we will soon be cleaning up our yards, planting flowers and watching In the area of staffing, we are again seeing some fresh faces the forest leaf-out. and saying goodbye as well. While this past winter didn’t bring us a lot of snow, the ice Ruth Lindert, our very talented visitor services associate, has on the lake was one of the thickest I can remember — more retired. Ruth had been at Mirror Lake since 2010, and we were than 20 inches! That meant I didn’t go out with my old, and very fortunate to have her as part of the team for that time. probably not very sharp, hand ice auger to do much ice fishing. She plans to spend more time in her garden and with her I would have spent most of the day cutting a hole, only then I family. would have been too tired to set a pole. Many of us will soon be back to work picking up litter, Welcome to Our New Ranger: Brett Johanen testing water, harvesting weeds and removing trees and I suspect that all of us who are branches that fell into the lake — just to name a few things. NEW DESIGNER drawn to the cottage have our reasons On the other side of the staffing equation, we welcomed continued from page 1 — some unique, some shared. In Brett Johanen to our ranger position. Brett joined us as a Annual Lake Cleanup recent years, I’ve visited dozens of transfer from Lapham Peak, another state property in the One year and one day later, Peterson Wright’s commercial and residential Milwaukee area. The Mirror Lake Association’s annual spring lake cleanup is — troubled by that loss, the end of his buildings, and I’ve stayed overnight in Brett brings more than eight years of experience, and we scheduled for May 5, 2018. We expect approximately 30 to 40 engagement and mounting five. Only a handful of them are as have been glad to incorporate his knowledge and abilities into people will show up on that Saturday morning to walk roads construction costs — took his own compelling to me as the cottage. the team. and park paths and paddle around the lake in boats to pick up life. He never lived in the cottage that Even as a corporate writer and In addition to the changes with Ruth and Brett we will see a debris left from winter activities. today bears his name and would not former journalist, I can’t articulate lot of new faces as part of our 2018 summer staff. The weed harvester will be readied for the lake and exist without him. why. Words fall short of the We were fortunate to have several college students working refreshing our water testing supplies. We are also making final I found myself feeling sad for and experience. with us for the last several summers. Many of them have now plans for all of our summer social activities. We have to have a grateful to Peterson for this gift, a So I was interested to learn, on the graduated and are moving on to other jobs in their areas of little play along with all the work. All are welcome and legacy so many people will be able to November 2017 evening my son and I study. encouraged to participate. We would be thrilled to have you enjoy on his behalf. last arrived home from the cottage, We plan to hire two new maintenance staff, two new office come join us. I’ve since made another two stays at that a new newsletter designer was staff and a new park and recreation specialist to assist across As always, I’d love to hear your feedback. If you have any the cottage — each time with my 5- needed. I applied that night. the team with operations, visitor service and special projects. It thoughts, comments or concerns, please give me a call or send year-old son, who regularly asks when Several weeks ago — one year and will be more new summer staff than we have hired for a an e-mail. My cellphone number is 608-575-4652 and my e- we can go back. “Soon,” I say, hoping one day since my first visit, in fact — number of years, so we expect a learning curve while being mail is [email protected]. for an opening. I was offered the position. 2 - WRITINGS SPRING 2018 - 7 WRITINGS
WRITINGS is a publication of the Seth Peterson Cottage Conservancy Inc.
Editor: Jerry Minnich Designer: Brian R. Hannan Coordinator: Kermit Traska Submit articles and pictures to: [email protected]
SETH PETERSON COTTAGE CONSERVANCY INC. Work week projects in early April included restocking the cottage’s woodpile. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Souvenir Coffee Mug for 2018 President: Kermit Traska FROM THE PRESIDENT First Vice President: Bill Martinelli By Kermit Traska The Lovness Cottage fireplace offers an additional side The 2018 souvenir coffee mug Second Vice President: James Booth hearth and features a less-massive, protruding stone hood. design is included in this newsletter. Treasurer: Paul Wagner ow do we follow a terrific year Cottage guests each receive a Secretary: Peter Rott H like last year — in which we celebrated our silver complimentary coffee mug. Do you have a favorite Frank Lloyd ALIKE BUT DIFFERENT MEMBERS anniversary? More than 200 people continued from page 5 attended the anniversary program.The Wright quote that could be included interest in Frank Lloyd Wright and the on the 2019 coffee mug? Write to us Claire Barnett, Jim Draeger, Bill Dupuy, Cottage is longer by several feet. Seth Peterson Cottage is strong. with your suggestion. If we choose Tim Heggland, Dr. Steven Kincaid, Like the Seth Peterson Cottage, the Lovness Cottage is Cottage reservations remain high with your entry, we'll give you a mug! Carolyne Kotchi, Raymond Matlosz, recessed into a slope above a lake, but the Lovness Cottage dates into 2020 already taken. The Jerry Minnich, Heather Sabin, Beth has a berm around its bedroom and back wall. Steps lead up number of monthly open house Volunteers Needed Zondag-Traska to the entrance, rather than down, making its setting quite visitors continues high. An article in this newsletter dramatic.
Ex-OFFICIO MEMBERS Thank You, Alice Seeliger describes the number of hours put in Floor plans of the Lovness Cottage, top, and Seth by our volunteers. Peterson Cottage, bottom, illustrate the similarities and Author’s Note: The Lovness Cottage is not open to the Mark Blakesee, President, Mirror Lake While we are thankful for them, we notable differences at the two properties. They are Our last newsletter had a help public. Special thanks to Peter Rott and Gordon Maltby for Association wanted notice for a new layout and are always looking for more helpers, provided for illustration purposes, only, and were drawn sharing their Lovness Cottage research. Ryder Will, Superintendent, Mirror Lake design person. Two people responded, especially as tour guides for open by Bill Martinelli. State Park with Brian R. Hannan being selected. house days and for the annual spring You have been introduced to Brian, a cleaning days following the April CONSERVANCY STAFF Frank Lloyd Wright enthusiast, with open house. the cover story of this newsletter. We Many of our board members have FROM THE GUEST BOOK treasure to restore and keep this artwork morning. This cottage sleeps, wakes and Office Manager: Ron Dakter welcome Brian and extend a heartfelt served for a number of years, some alive for all.” — Laura & Jack breathes with life. Special place. Special Marketing Coordinator: Gail Kohl thank you to Alice Seeliger for from the beginning of the “I just love it here and am so grateful for time spent. Thank you, Frank Lloyd carrying out these duties since the conservancy. the space and time Seth allows for “Thanks to Frank Lloyd Wright for Wright and Seth.” — Rachel, Scott, RESERVATIONS early days of the conservancy in the We are always looking for new appreciating, centering, exploring and designing buildings on a human scale Martha & Adam late 1980s. people to serve on the board — and just being human!” — Anonymous and honoring the surrounding Contact the Sand County Service Co. at the new ideas they bring with them to environment. We are blessed to live in a “My 65th birthday present – best present 608-254-6551 Last Voyage of the Fall Color Boat continue preserving the Seth Peterson “Spending a few days in such a unique state that has fantastic parks, allowing ever! We have lived in the middle of the Tour Cottage for the next 25 years and place offers a chance to think. The all people to share nature and gems like Ketttle Moraine State Forest for 35 CONTACT US beyond. Anyone with an interest in cottage brings out the best from within this cottage. Let’s continue to support a years and never felt more in touch with After many years of having the Fall helping the conservancy can contact you....” — David & Janine system that shares this earth’s bounty, nature than we do here. This space is Website: www.SethPeterson.org Color Boat Tour and Reception, the us by e-mail at: humanely and democratically.” — spiritual. Truly was on my bucket list. Facebook: Search for the Seth Peterson board decided to cancel the event for [email protected]. “We came to celebrate Jack’s 65th Stephen & Margit Thanks to all those with vision and Cottage Conservancy Inc. this year. The board is discussing Thank you for your continuing birthday. The Seth Peterson Cottage is fortitude before us for saving and Cottage voicemail: 877-466-2358 other possible events for this fall or support of the Seth Peterson Cottage spectacular. A perfect gem. Thank you “Symphony of bird song. Owl at night, keeping this place. Fills my soul.” — other open house days. Conservancy. to all who gave of themselves and their song birds at daybreak, cranes in Jan & Paul WRITINGS The Seth Peterson Cottage Conservancy Inc. 400 Viking Drive Reedsburg, WI 53959 WRITINGS Address Service Requested NEWSLETTER OF THE SETH PETERSON COTTAGE CONSERVANCY Volume XXX, Issue I SPRING 2018 HOW TO HELP THE COTTAGE
ike other not-for-profit L organizations, the Seth What’s Inside Peterson Cottage Conservancy (SPCC) relies on - New Newsletter Designer volunteers to accomplish our - How to Help the Cottage work. We are looking for people - From the President interested in the work of Frank Lloyd Wright, especially the - The Lovness Cottage Seth Peterson Cottage. Some - Mirror Lake State Park Report ways to volunteer for the - Mirror Lake Association Update conservancy include: - From the Guest Book Board of Directors: The board meets quarterly isitors find touring the cottage during the open house tours held each throughout the year and holds V a great way to spend a Sunday month. an annual meeting in December. UPCOMING EVENTS afternoon. Take a scenic drive For more information about the Members oversee long-term and experience firsthand this restored cottage, visit us online at planning for the cottage and the SPCC. Seth Peterson Cottage Open House and Frank Lloyd Wright-designed home SethPeterson.org. Guided Tour ‘WRITINGS’ WELCOMES NEW DESIGNER Treasurer: The SPCC is - May 13, 1 to 3:30 p.m., $5 The Seth Peterson Cottage is located currently looking for a new By Brian R. Hannan feet of it — and then hurried to make - June 10, 1 to 3:30 p.m., $5 treasurer on the board of some pictures before the daylight faded. - July 8, 1 to 3:30 p.m., $5 at E9982 Fern Dell Road in directors. The current treasurer hen an opening at the Frank Lloyd My friend and I then headed to the store - August 12, 1 to 3:30 p.m., $5 Lake Delton, Wisconsin will assist in the transition. W Wright-designed Seth Peterson to stock up for dinner that night (T-bone - September 9, 1 to 3:30 p.m., $5 Cottage unexpectedly became steaks, caramelized onion/mushroom and - October 14, 1 to 3:30 p.m., $5 Docents: Lead tours available in January 2017, I had only one Caesar salad) and breakfast the next - November 11, 1 to 3:30 p.m., $5 explaining to visitors the history thought: Road trip! morning (poached eggs, toast, bacon and - December 9, 1 to 3:30 p.m., $5 of the Seth Peterson Cottage and I recruited a friend, and we made plans coffee). I built a blazing fire in the Frank Lloyd Wright. Training is to leave the next morning for a brief, fireplace. After dinner, we sat around the Seth Peterson Cottage Conservancy provided. overnight visit. I’d been wanting to stay at hearth and talked. members receive free admission and 10 the cottage since I learned of it in the fall Snow began falling as we chatted and percent off cottage merchandise. Cottage and Grounds of 2016 while preparing for an outing continued overnight. We awoke to a Maintenance: Participate in the to Taliesin, Wright’s home and studio winter wonderland. Statewide State Park Open House annual spring clean-up the week in Spring Green, Wisconsin. Laying in bed that evening before I following the open house in The cottage, however, was booked solid fell asleep, I thought of Peterson and the - June 3, includes free admission to the Seth April. Work includes a deep for all of 2017 and, for that matter, much dream that brought him to this idyllic spot. Peterson Cottage and all state parks, forests cleaning of the cottage and of 2018. His long-fought campaign to convince a and trails grounds, and trail maintenance. Even so, I made a daily habit of reluctant Wright to design a house for him checking the reservation website, hoping finally paid off, and he looked forward to Conservancy Annual Meeting and To learn more about for a cancellation. I was soon rewarded. sharing it with his fiancée. Volunteer Recognition volunteering for the SPCC, When we arrived, I was so excited to see And then Wright, a childhood hero with attend one of our open houses. the cottage that I saw past the overcast, whom Peterson shared a birthday, died. - December 9, 4 p.m. Contact information is available gray skies and soggy, brown yard. I took a on page 2. quick tour of the house — all 880 square continued on page 3