Author: Arthur McEvoy

We Gotta Get Out of This Place: The Sound Track of the Vietnam War

“We Gotta Get Out of This Place: The Soundtrack of the Vietnam War” placed popular music at the heart of the American experience in Vietnam. The presentation explored how and why U.S. troops turned to music as a way of connecting to each other and the World back home and of coping with the complexities of the war they had been sent to fight. The presentation demonstrated how music was important for every group of Vietnam veterans—black and white, Latino and Native American; men and women; officers and “grunts.”

Bradley spoke at the Grove Society’s fourth annual History In The Park event on (date). The well-attended event began with lunch from BBQ Bob’s Brat Bunker. The Society welcomed a number of local Vietnam veterans, with thanks for their service and regrets for the harsh treatment that many of our retuning Vietnam veterans received after returning from the war.

Bradley’s presentation included a moving explanation of the music of the era and what it meant to the soldiers in Vietnam, as well to as their families back home.  Listening to the music was all the more special because Matt Koser’s volunteered sound system made the music reach us all.  Several people and the Grove Society picked up copies of Bradley’s book, “We Gotta Get Out Of This Place: The Soundtrack of the Vietnam War,” on which the presentation was based.  Bradley told many touching stories of interviews with Vietnam veterans that he collected with Professor Werner.

(original notes by Sue Berg)

What Makes Leonard-Leota Park Special

On August 27, 2017, the Grove Society’s annual History in the Park
celebration featured a wonderful program about the history of Leonard-Leota Park in Evansville. Former Wisconsin State Architect Dan Stephans was one of two featured speakers.  The other was Tim Heggland, an expert consultant on historic preservation. 

Stephans discussed the mystery surrounding the naming of Lake Leota,
about which no verified information has emerged to date. Levi Leonard, an Evansville pioneer, sold some of his land to the city in 1883 to create what is known as the “upper park.” A prominent citizen, Leonard was the first teacher in the community, although he described himself as a “capitalist” in the 1900 U.S. Federal Census.  In 1922, the city acquired the “lower park,” which expanded the park to include the lake area.  WPA projects during the 1930s added features that contribute to the park’s special appeal today and led to the park’s inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places in January 2011.

Tim Heggland, the second speaker at the Sunday program, wrote the
successful nomination to place the park on the National Register.  In his
presentation he described features of Leonard-Leota Park that specifically contributed to its inclusion on the National Register. The Historic District includes 29 contributing buildings, site, structures, and objects and 11 noncontributing buildings and structures.  Of particular importance was the extensive stonework built by WPA workers during the 1930s. Stonework required hand labor, which brought employment for many local citizens. WPA workers installed stone for rip-rapping the creek bed. They built the stone picnic tables and benches that dot the park today. Other WPA features that survive include the warming house by the lake, the park store, the duck house, the beehive fireplace, and the bell tower. The unique twin spillways and the pedestrian bridge are notable features that were added later.

Attendees enjoying the facts, trivia and historic photographs of the presentation included some 35 adults, members of Girl Scout troop 3699 and numerous children.  The Girl Scouts sponsored craft activities, including constructing lighthouses and airplanes from popsicle sticks, and playing with marbles, Lincoln Logs.   Also on hand was a World War I soldier’s field kit, on loan from the Wisconsin Veterans Museum to commemorate the 100th anniversary of U.S. entry into the war.

The Grove Society’s museum in the historic Baker Building and the Antes
Cabin were open extra hours during the “History in the Park” event. Special exhibits focused on the early supporters and structures in the park.  Other activities included a walking tour of the Grove Street Historic District, led by John Decker, former president of the Evansville Grove Society and current director of the Wisconsin Council for Local History. Visitors submitted stories and memories about their experiences in the park.