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This is my first time to do a "Friday Show and Tell," though I've been wanting to tell this story for quite some time. This picture of my husband's great grandparents with their children (his grandpa and sisters) hung on our wall for quite awhile before I learned the amazing story behind it.
The picture was taken in probably 1891 in northern Wisconsin. Great-Grandpa Wickstrom was a logger and had built the log house for his family. Grandpa Odin Wickstrom was the eldest of 7 and had the two sisters at the time of the picture, with another one on the way. He was 6 or 7 at this time.
Remember the show "Growing Pains" with Kirk Cameron, Tracy Gold, Joanna Kerns, Alan Thicke . . . ? One night someone in DC's extended family saw the opening of the show and discovered that this picture was a part of the collage that began the show. (EDIT: Kristen just let me know that she's the one who discovered the picture at the beginning of the show - I had forgotten that the picture had been hanging in the den that long! I stand corrected, and am happily so!) The word got around the family quickly and we all tuned in and paid close attention to the opening credits. With some detective work, it was discovered that the picture had been hanging in the Wisconsin State Historical Society in a display of log cabins built with that particular roof design. The show's writers chose to use the picture in the beginning of their show.
Anna died with the birth of her 8th child, who did not survive either. Great Grandpa Nils' sister married Anna's father after her mother died, so his sister became his mother-in-law!
For more Friday Show and Tell stories, stop by Kelli's blog, There Is No Place Like Home.
I want to thank Kathleen from The Open Window for this lovely award, and for her very kind words!
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Go on over to visit Kathleen if you'd like to sign up for this year's Christmas Ornament Exchange. Sounds like fun!
29 comments:
What a wonderful story, and how great that it has been on TV! And that's funny a sister becoming a mother in law!
The picture didn't come up when I loaded your site. Should it have done?
Is there a picture? It's not loading.
Happy Show N Tell day....by the way, your profile says "at the FOOTHILLS OF THE ROCKIES"----where abouts?
I'm originally from Colorado [lived there for 40+ years --but, now in Texas]...perhaps you're in Colorado too? Just curious.
Yes! Yes....now I see it. What a fabulous keepsake to have in your possession.
North of Denver....cool. I lived near Golden. In the Foothills. But north of Denver can include anything from Golden, to Boulder, to Loveland, to Fort Collins...or maybe even Livermore or Virginia Dale. hehehehe
See? I too lived there a LONG time. *smile*
Wow, cool. Picture. When in Wisconsin was it taken. We like in MN but I grew up in WI. We hunt and fish there still.
I have always wanted to live in a log cabin. They are not too frequently seen in UK suburbia, I am afraid! Great photo, Dawn!
I am still waiting for the Cosby show to come out in our region DVD mode. It is one of the best family shows ever!I didn't realise that was the first one! But I rtemember laughing till I cried when they all turned up in their Sunday best!
That is so awesome about the picture!
What an incredible story, Dawn. Look at that log cabin. Honestly, it looks like something out of the Little House books. I immediately noticed the sweet curtains in her windows.
*smile*....ya, the lake! I know the lake. :o)
Thanks for the tip. Ahem....You're a SWEETheart.
Dawn,
A wonderful show and tell. The photo of your ancestors is fabulous and the story intriguing. I'm always interested in historical items. I'm glad you're a part of show and tell Friday. Have a great weekend.
Fantastic picture, thanks for letting me know it was now up. They look such wonderful interesting people. A lovely piece of history to cherish.
Wow, what a great old photo and story to go with it. The log cabin is really cool! blessings...
Ummmm.....that was me who discovered that the picture was on the beginning of Growing Pains.
What a wonderful story! Love the picture too. Thanks for sharing
~Amy
What a great picture and a fabulous story!
WHAT A GREAT PICTURE AND AMAZING STORY!!!!! if that show comes on sometime, i will pay close attention!!! what a neat little "claim to fame"
I love log houses. If I had the money to build any kind of house it would be a log house.
I love the stories those old pictures have to tell.
New post this afternoon, hopefully. Nothing wrong, just busy, as you said in your comment.
Love and hugs,
Diane
What a great Show and Tell! That picture is priceless, I love it! I will have to try to see it when Growing Pains comes on again in reruns. When I look at the log cabin and how rough it is I think of all the luxuries we have these days like running hot water, indoor plumbing and all and they didn't have that. We have a lot to be thankful for don't we?! I think every morning when we turn on that hot shower we should thank our heavenly Father for even the small things we enjoy!! xoxo
Good afternoon Dawn,
Just thought I would drop by and visit you for a few. You have a great show and tell there. Also, congratulations on your award. My mother-in-law has been collecting old family pictures like that and doing a family tree research. She loves doing things like that. If I could have my own dream home, I would love for the outside to look like a log house. But, I don't see that ever happening. I'm just a poor plain old gal barely getting by. I hope you have a great weekend.
Hugs,
Karen H.
"his sister became his mother-in-law" - I can't wrap my mind around how that works! Reminds me of the song - I Am My Own Grandpa!
What a great picture - and that is so cool that it was on Growing Pains! My husband would love to have a cabin like that. Me - not so much!
What a neat neat story! Thanks for sharing this as your first Show and Tell. I LOVE history, and I found this extremely fasinating.
Hi Dawn :) Welcome to show and tell! We are so glad to have you along.
That is a marvelous picture, and what a story it has! Thanks so much for sharing it with us.
Congratulations on your award. Your blog is lovely. Blessings! Q
Cool picture! Maybe someone should check and see if the family is due any royalties??
Great picture and awesome story to go with it! Welcome to Show and Tell!
What a wonderful first show and tell, Dawn! This just fascinated me!
And I saw Growing Pains so many times, and do remember this picture now that you tell this story! In fact, I have the openning song totally running through my head now!...
"As long as got each other..."
Your husband's family looks straight out of a Laura Ingalls book. Thanks for sharing this wonderful photo and story, Dawn!
That is quite a story. And a great picture. The first thing I thought of when I saw it was that it looked like Ma and Pa Ingalls.
What a great picture and a wonderful story behind it.
Thanks for your prayers. Each day gets a little easier. Congrats on your award... you really deserve it!
I love the picture! I have a book called "Women of the West" and it has some great photos in it...but none of them are better than this one!
I think you ought to call the network to see if any compensation is due. (of course we all have better things to do!)....but you never know...
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