Local and Niederkorn History Available Online
Local Books and Niederkorn History now available Online!
In 2011 the WJ Niederkorn Library participated in a LSTA grant to digitize Port Washington history books as well as photograph some of Mr. William J. Niederkorn’s personal possessions and historical documents that we have preserved over the years.
These digital items can be found at one site collected together with other Ozaukee and Sheboygan County historical items. Click on Browse Ozaukee County Local History Collection to see our items interspersed with some other items from Ozaukee County.
These items are also all available through links in EasiCat – our online catalog of materials. Just search for the title and click on the link taking you directly to that item. EasiCat
Some books on Port Washington history include:
Port Washington Centennial 1835-1935. The booklet for the centennial celebration. A good overview of Port Washington History.
Port Washington 1835-1985. The booklet for the sesquicentennial celebration with updated Port Washington information.
The History of Port Washington in Ozaukee County, Wisconsin by Sister M. Jane Frances Price. A dissertation that contains valuable Port Washington History
Tea and Service: 100 Year History of the Port Washington Woman’s Club which not only talks about the Woman’s Club but also contains in depth information about how library service that started in Port Washington in 1899.
Consumed by Fire: A collection of writings about the famous Wisconsin Chair Company Fire, Port Washington, Wisconsin, February 19, 1899 compiled by Fr. Kevin, J. Webster. A very through collections of news articles and writings on the chair factory fire.
Back from Duty, Back from Duty 2 both by Laurie Arendt. Both great books on the service and stories of local veterans.
Included in the collection is additional historical materials from throughout Ozaukee county.
The William J. Niederkorn Collection:
Finally the collection is full of pieces about and from William J. Niederkorn. Not only does the collection include the book The Story of William J. Niederkorn by Charles Larson, but it also includes various artifacts such as a copy of his check for $18 million from when he sold Simplicity, plaques and awards, a letter to him from President Richard Nixon, the Proclamation of William J. Niederkorn Day, as well as a few pictures of the man himself. It is a fascinating collection that we can now proudly share online. A great way to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the WJ Niederkorn Library. Whole Digital Collection
In an age when local history information is often sought out first over the Internet it is great that we can now share a core collection of materials that we find valuable here at the library with the world as a whole. We will continue to expand our collection over time to make even more valuable resources easily available for all.
This project was funded, in part, through a 2011 Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant. The grant provided financial support to digitize and make available online local library resources. The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 122,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. The Institute’s mission is to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas.



