As I have mentioned in previous columns, I became hopelessly bewitched by the spirits of long-dead lumberjacks when I joined the staff of the Holt and Balcom Logging Camp in Lakewood. The camp was badly deteriorated, and subsequent efforts to restore it took seven long years.
With fundraisers and donations from numerous logging history enthusiasts, the oldest logging camp in America sitting on the exact site where it was built was saved, but it was a lot of financial help from direct descendants of the Holt family that enabled this long story to have a happy ending.
In the process, I became director of the camp. During our spring school tours for fourth graders studying Wisconsin history, I often visited the camp’s unofficially affiliated site Cathedral Woods. Named one of the seven wonders of Wisconsin, this historic treasure is located just off Archibald Lake Road. Preservation of the Cathedral Woods began as a gift from lumber baron W.A. Holt to his beloved wife Lucy Rumsey Holt, known as the “Cathedral Woods Lady.” The U.S. Forest Service is tasked with maintaining the site.
Lucy Holt is a fascinating figure. In her lifetime (1870-1935), wealthy men’s wives usually raised the children, ran the household and spent their free time entertaining, churching and socializing with female friends. Most were like potted plants, pampered and petted but considered mostly ornamental.
Lucy was a notable exception. Though she lived in the city of Oconto all of her married life, she had a profound effect on shaping and recording the history of northern Oconto County. For example, after seeing the results of “cut and run” logging, she was an early proponent of select cutting. Then, too, she was horrified by stories of injuries and deaths during the hazardous waterway transportation of saw logs. Therefore, Lucy supported her husband’s expensive but risky decision to introduce the use of rail.
Gifted by her husband with both still and moving picture cameras, she captured priceless images of the logging industry in Oconto County.
Inspired by the thought of sharing her achievements, I decided to use role-play as an entertaining way to articulate her legacy. I found a costume: vintage hat, blouse, brooch, stockings and a full-length skirt. I was overjoyed to find a pair of shoes she may have worn. When I was dressed, I became Lucy from head to toe.
I began writing scripts, asking friends Beth Hartman, Cindy Jonet and Kathy Moerman to act alongside me as I channeled Lucy in dramatic presentations. We did “Holts, Housewives and Hookers,” “Love Letters from the Logging Camp,” and “Lucy Loved Lakewood.” We had lots of fun; the gals really dug into the experience. We attracted sizable audiences while raising money for the camp restoration.
In a totally unexpected blessing, I became an “adopted” member of the Holt clan, known simply as “The Family.” Lucy’s great-granddaughters, Marcia Wahoske and Sharon (Shan) Holt, invited Jon and me to visit Island Lodge, Lucy’s summer home on Archibald Lake. Through them, we met many of her descendants who continue the tradition of family summer vacations on the Holt private island there.
I also became acquainted with grandson Peter DeWitt, who resided in Oconto. While visiting Peter many years ago, I was ushered into the grand living room to see his grandmother’s most prized possession. There sat a beautiful harp. I got goosebumps. I knew Lucy had been a first-class harpist. Could it be? It was.
Last month, Shan, who lives in Philadelphia, met me for coffee at Northern Perks. As we chatted, she opened her phone to show me a photo. Lucy’s harp. It’s showing its age, but Shan said it’s too expensive and somewhat risky to do a full restoration.
With the help of her cousin, Professor of Archaeology and Religion Robin DeWitt Knauth, Shan said it would be gifted to the Oconto County Historical Society and put on display at the Beyer Home in Oconto. Robin shared some background.
“My father, Dr. Robert DeWitt, came into possession of Great-Grandmother Lucy Rumsey Holt’s harp,” she said. “I was only 9 when he died, and my mother took ownership. When she died in 2019, she bequeathed it to me. It was the only material inheritance from my father’s family.”
Robin DeWitt Knauth is thrilled with the result of the cousins’ collaboration: “Honestly, the harp has never felt like my own possession. My sense was rather the weight of responsibility as caretaker of this important piece of family history. I am so happy that this bit of our heritage will be preserved.”
The harp arrived safely back in Oconto in early August. With loving care, it was carefully positioned in the Beyer home parlor where it will dazzle future visitors. Just like heaven for Lucy, the harp is where it belongs, in its forever home.
Kathleen Marsh is a lifelong educator, writer and community advocate. She has published eight books, four on the history of Townsend, where she and husband, Jon, are happily retired on the beautiful Townsend Flowage.
