MONROE - Local historians are seeking information on the origin of a mysterious tie commemorating the Green County Centennial Fair, which was held Aug. 4 to 8, 1954.
Sherry Anderegg, member of the Green County Historical Society, has asked around and combed through old newspapers but can find no mention of a commemorative tie that year.
The tie belonged to Keith Holloway, a former Monroe resident who was living in Alaska when he died in 2009. His wife, Meta, found the tie in his footlocker.
"When Meta found this, she had never seen it," Anderegg said. The green tie appears to be silk but has no tags or markings. It shows no signs of being worn.
"The printing on it is just perfect," Anderegg said.
Beyond these details, the tie is a mystery. Who made it? Was it mass-produced or a salesman sample?
"We'd like to know if there are others out there," Anderegg said. She asks anyone with information about the tie to call her at 608-325-9254. Members of the Green County Historical Society want to display the tie in their museum at 1617 9th St., Monroe, with a narrative on its history.
Anderegg's research into the tie has yielded some neat details about the 100th anniversary fair in 1954. There was a "beard contest," for instance, and contestants were encouraged to wear period costumes from 1854.
The beginning of the Green County fair dates back to an organizational meeting in July 1853, according to a historical account compiled by Ken Allen on the fair's website, greencountyfair.net.
"The first fair of this Agricultural Society was held in November 1853 at the courthouse. Premiums amounted to $100 and the majority of the exhibits were farm produce. Carnivals and amusements were not yet part of the fair tradition," Allen wrote.
The first fair on the fairgrounds happened the following year in October. Handcrafts were as important to the fair back then as agriculture and included blacksmithing, tinsmithing, shoemaking and even the coffin-making trade.
The 159th Green County Fair begins this Wednesday, July 17, and continues through Sunday, July 21. Grandstand entertainment includes a rodeo Wednesday at 7 p.m., a horse-pulling contest at 4 p.m. Saturday, the "Hell Drivers Thrill Show" at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, and demolition derby Sunday at 4 p.m.
Sherry Anderegg, member of the Green County Historical Society, has asked around and combed through old newspapers but can find no mention of a commemorative tie that year.
The tie belonged to Keith Holloway, a former Monroe resident who was living in Alaska when he died in 2009. His wife, Meta, found the tie in his footlocker.
"When Meta found this, she had never seen it," Anderegg said. The green tie appears to be silk but has no tags or markings. It shows no signs of being worn.
"The printing on it is just perfect," Anderegg said.
Beyond these details, the tie is a mystery. Who made it? Was it mass-produced or a salesman sample?
"We'd like to know if there are others out there," Anderegg said. She asks anyone with information about the tie to call her at 608-325-9254. Members of the Green County Historical Society want to display the tie in their museum at 1617 9th St., Monroe, with a narrative on its history.
Anderegg's research into the tie has yielded some neat details about the 100th anniversary fair in 1954. There was a "beard contest," for instance, and contestants were encouraged to wear period costumes from 1854.
The beginning of the Green County fair dates back to an organizational meeting in July 1853, according to a historical account compiled by Ken Allen on the fair's website, greencountyfair.net.
"The first fair of this Agricultural Society was held in November 1853 at the courthouse. Premiums amounted to $100 and the majority of the exhibits were farm produce. Carnivals and amusements were not yet part of the fair tradition," Allen wrote.
The first fair on the fairgrounds happened the following year in October. Handcrafts were as important to the fair back then as agriculture and included blacksmithing, tinsmithing, shoemaking and even the coffin-making trade.
The 159th Green County Fair begins this Wednesday, July 17, and continues through Sunday, July 21. Grandstand entertainment includes a rodeo Wednesday at 7 p.m., a horse-pulling contest at 4 p.m. Saturday, the "Hell Drivers Thrill Show" at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, and demolition derby Sunday at 4 p.m.