NEENAH (NBC 26) — Since 1985, the Neenah Historical Society has been putting on an annual cemetery walk. This year, it took visitors to Oak Hill Cemetery, where local historians highlighted stories of people who made an impact on the city's history.
For some audience members at the cemetery walk, it might have felt like history was repeating itself. The story of Jens Jersild was played out by Carl Jersild, the great grandson of the immigrant.
“He came from Denmark directly to Neenah,” Carl said.
Jens Jersild started the Jersild Knitting Company. The company made sweaters that were sold all over the country. The business was passed down through the family for over 150 years. Carl ran the family business for many years, but eventually, the company retired with him.
“He was a good leader - my great grandfather,” said Carl Jersild.
This year’s cemetery walk focused on four stories of immigration to Neenah in the mid 1800’s. Each story had an actor portrayal of their immigration experience.
“There’s thousands of stories at the cemetery and we’re always looking for new and different ones to tell,” said Becky Heidke Kwiatkowski, Associate Executive Director of the Neenah Historical Society.
The stories range from Elizabeth Meyer’s difficulties marrying a German immigrant during World War II, to a young woman who traveled from Norway to Neenah - and found true love.
Henry Hewitt was an early settler from England and built some of the original locks and bridges in Northeast Wisconsin: a dam in Kaukauna and a plank road from Kaukauna to Menasha.
“We charged folks a toll to ride on it,” said Adam Westbrook, who played Henry Hewitt. “They loved it! It was safe and smooth and saved them tons of time in travel.”
According to Kwiatkowski, the stories behind everyone that migrated to Neenah helped the city flourish.
“They’re all important in growing our history,” she said.
You can visit the Neenah Historical Society to see the exhibits of the immigrants whose stories were highlighted at the cemetery walk.
