Hess Cooperage, a long-time Wisconsin barrel making company, will be the New London Public Museum’s first Curiosity Series presentation of 2014.
Frank J. Hess Sr. was born in southern Bohemia in 1870. At age 20, he immigrated to Chicago. He worked as a cooper making white oak beer kegs for a short time in Chicago and Prairie du Chien.
Then in 1904, the Fauerbach Brewery in Madison persuaded Hess to move and start an independent cooperage business. His business, The Frank J. Hess and Sons Cooperage factory survived for 62 years. It was Wisconsin’s largest independent cooperage. Jim and Gary Hess, Grandsons of Frank, will be at NLPM to discuss their families’ business as well as the art of barrel making.
The presentation is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 8 at the museum starting at 10:30 a.m. Admission is free. Reservations are not required, although they are appreciated. Contact the museum at 920-982-8520 to sign-up.