41 years ago the annual ‘Vandavega’ Kids camp was captured on a Super-8 camera. The footage was just discovered in a shoe box by one of the Latvian moms who attended (thanks Mrs. Pocs!). It was pretty emotional for us to watch this. For David, especially– seeing himself, family and childhood friends so many years ago. WATCH IT HERE We are greatful to the Pocs family for sharing their discovery with us, and encourage anyone else who may have old camp photos or footage to share it with us, so that we can archive it in the Wandawegahistory.org site. We…
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That one time world champ lumberjack “Carson” came to camp to teach men how to fell a tree & split wood (and Frankie got freaked out by all the flailing axes) see the film in our profile link. #GirlsBestFriend. #SportsmansWeekend Portrait by @danieldav_is
March 5, 2015 • Published by Tereasa Surratt
One vintage PBN painting, a Stanley knife, an antler mount & 60 minutes later = the impatient person’s DIY. (One of my easier mag editorial styling assignments has now found a forever home in camp’s poolroom wall) @cbobfoto
March 4, 2015 • Published by Tereasa Surratt
It happening! The @themakerie announced yesterday on their site that they are coming to camp Aug 7-9 courtesy of the amazing folks at THE LAND OF NOD We’ll share the deets about this Epic Makers event as they roll in from @landofnod (=@cbobfoto)
March 3, 2015 • Published by Tereasa Surratt
1946- this gent was the son of the former owner, destined to take over the family resort. His girlfriend snapped this picture (he would marry her soon after, and have 2 daughters) Tragically, his young bride suddenly died when the girls where still babies-leaving him a widower. Nearly 70 years later those two sisters ‘Sam and Celeste’ showed up on our doorstep with an album of their childhood growing up at camp- packed full of memories of the mother they did not get to know. To see who his bride was, check out the portrait of the gorgeous bikini-clad brunette on our Wandawega homepage. It was taken by her boyfriend the same moment this shot was captured. (See today’s link in our profile line for the rest of the story)
March 2, 2015 • Published by Tereasa Surratt
REWARD: (really) We started collecting antique prison ID cards (like this one) a dozen years ago for their bizarreness – but now we’re on a serious hunt for the one that we really want: “Anna Beckford Peck” (camp’s former Madam, imprisoned by Wisconsin’s Governor Heil in the Taycheedah women’s penitentiary in 1942 for running this place as a ‘bawdy house of Ill fame’) Anna’s other crimes for her incarceration listed on pg.42 of “American Getaway” (see profile line link). #LeadsWelcome
March 1, 2015 • Published by Tereasa Surratt
The folks at Vintage Style magazine camp to pay us a visit last summer and the feature just hit the stands. (thanks, VS! come back anytime 🙂
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BOOTLEGGERS. A SWEDISH MADAM. THE FEDS.INDIANS.A MURDERER ON THE LAM.REFUGEE PRIESTS.THE GHOST OF THE LAKE.KIDS IN CANOES.A RUSSIAN GANGSTER.AND A CHEEKY RACOON NAMED GEORGE.This is the very strange, very true story of Camp Wandawega, Wisconsin: An American Getaway. Announcing the launch of our book! (Finally)By @wayfarersall FULL STORY our profile link.More at #wandawegacustoms
February 28, 2015 • Published by Tereasa Surratt
We are thrilled to finally be able to see this thing in print. 90 years worth of history, condensed to 100 pages… INDIANS. BOOTLEGGERS. A SWEDISH MADAM. THE FEDS. A MURDERER ON THE LAM. REFUGEE PRIESTS. THE GHOST OF THE LAKE. KIDS IN CANOES. A RUSSIAN GANGSTER. AND A CHEEKY RACOON NAMED GEORGE. This is the very strange, very true story of Camp Wandawega, Wisconsin: An American Getaway. DEDICATION: On the 90th anniversary of Camp Wandawega, this book is dedicated to all those who came before us. CONTENTS: Prologue: Our Place 8 Part I: Wandawega Before 1925 16 Part II: The Wandawega…
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CAMP RULE: ‘Nothing crosses the threshold if it’s newer than 50 years old’. Behind almost all of our guest room doors you’ll find these. (‘Toleware’ –cheap hand painted metal dust bins & brushes from the 20’s- 50’s) I love them for their basic utility and aesthetic humbleness– back in their day, they were considered “the poor mans fancy”.Our collection are the spoils of many a long day at the Elkhorn flea market. #VintageObsession #commonGoods by @cbobfoto
February 27, 2015 • Published by Tereasa Surratt
