Judy Garland - Letter from Home - December News!

October and November were busy months, so here’s all the latest news about Judy from Grand Rapids!

John Kelsch Visits Frank Gumm’s Birthplace

This past October, John Kelsch traveled to Murfreesboro, Tennessee to visit to the birthplace of Judy Garland’s beloved father, Frank Gumm. When Frank was born on March 20^th, 1886, Murfreesboro was a small town. Now the city, which lies 35 miles southeast of Nashville, is in the second fastest growing county in the United States, nevertheless, Mr. Kelsch, who had never visited the South before, was impressed by the warm and friendly “southern hospitality” welcome he received.

One of the important stops on John Kelsch’s trip was his visit to the University of the South at Sewanee, where Frank Gumm attended school for six years – from the age of 13 to 19. Sewanee is located south of Murfreesboro and sits on a large mountain overlooking plains of farmland. Of course, much has changed since Frank Gumm resided there, mainly the amount of huge stone buildings which make the university look like an old English town. 

While he was there, Mr. Kelsch also visited the University archives where, assisted by interim archives assistant, Meg Beasley, he was able to make some new discoveries on Frank Gumm’s history at the school.

On the journey to Sewanee, Mr. Kelsch took a side trip to the town of Tullahoma, where

John Kelsch with one of Judy's cousins, Claire Weber
Claire's father, Edwin Rion, was Frank Gumm's first
cousin

Frank and his sister, Mary Gumm, lived around 1910. During that time, he worked for his Uncle’s brother, Walter D. Fox. As a member of the Knights of Pythias, Fox was busy building a group of homes for widows and orphans. Kelsch was given a tour of this site which as Ovoca. Now privately owned, it includes a lake and a waterfall!

Michelle Russell in the entrance hall of the home
where Frank Gumm was born. Standing next to
her is the present owner. According to him,
the home was not as grand at that time.

In Murfreesboro, John Kelsch met up with author Michelle Russell, who was there to give a talk on her book, “From Tennessee to Oz – The Amazing Saga of Judy Garland’s Family History.” Ms. Russell has many connections in the town of Murfreesboro and was able to arrange a personal tour of the home where Frank Gumm was born.

The Rutherford County Tennessee home where Rev. Henry
Hartwell Marable of Virginia moved around 1810. 

There were many other points of interest on this trip, including The Hermitage, home of President Andrew Jackson. Jackson was a frequent visitor to the little town of Old Jefferson and probably rubbed shoulders with Judy’s fourth great-grandfather, Norton Gum who was the town supervisor. Another historic home visited was that of the South’s Boy Hero, Sam Davis. The museum has moved the home that Sam Davis was born in onto the estate with hopes of restoring it. It so happens that this home was the home of Judy Garland’s great great great grandfather, Reverend Henry Hartwell Marable a well-known Methodist Minister who preached “the Word” for over fifty years.

Finally, one of the most important homes related to Judy’s heritage is Oaklands. In the late 1800s, this home was owned by George Darrow and his wife, Tempe Swope. Darrow was the man who first recognized Frank Gumm’s musical talent and, as a result, sent him to Sewanee on a scholarship. It was there that he received a fine musical education, and, as they say, the rest is history.

Oaklands where George Darrow lived at the time
he sent Frank Gumm to Sewanee 

The Judy Garland Museum Undergoes Renovation

This past October, as The Judy Garland Museum returned to winter hours (open only Friday and Saturday, except for school groups), the renovation of exhibits began. The old Judy Garland exhibit has been packed up, cases moved and 50 new display cases, courtesy of a special benefactor, have been moved in.

During the next six months, a new 3,000 piece Wizard of Oz collection will be unpacked and prepared for display in the main gallery with the carriage. In addition, a totally new exhibition of Judy Garland Memorabilia will be unveiled and will include many rare one of kind items to delight Garland fans!

The Itasca Historical Society Turns Over the Second 

Installment of their Collection

After a recent move from the Old Schoolhouse to a new site on Pokegama Avenue, The Itasca Historical Society made the decision to focus their collection on the Gumm Family in Grand Rapids. Meanwhile, they also made the generous decision to turn over all Garland Memorabilia pertaining to Judy Garland’s career outside Grand Rapids to the Judy Garland Museum.

A few weeks ago, the Museum received the second installment delivery of this collection. Although John Kelsch previously worked for the Itasca Historical Society and was responsible for collecting a great deal of this collection, opening the boxes was like Christmas. Among the items found was an original script from The Wizard of Oz and the Luft/Garland housekeeper’s date book (circa 1950s) detailing every appointment and dinner guest at that time. There are many, many more treasures to be seen next June when the Museum opens its new exhibit display!

Jean Hanson’s Family Donates Garland Collection

Recently, another grand collection arrived at the Judy Garland Museum when Mrs. Jean Hanson’s children shipped her Judy Garland memorabilia, collected over decades to the museum.

At present, we do not have much information on Jean Hanson. She was born Jean Campbell in 1918. She and her husband John Hanson were married in 1942 and for many years lived in Dutch Flat, C. Mrs. Hanson passed away in 2008. Looking at her collection, John Kelsch feels certain that she knew Judy and her daughter Liza because there are many personal photos in this collection.  If anyone has any further information on Mrs. Hanson, please contact the museum and fill us in.

Ho-Ho HoDown Christmas

November 30^th, The Judy Garland and Children’s Museum hosted a “Ho-Ho Hoe-Down Christmas with 20 minute sleigh rides in the snow.  Over 180 adults and children attended. This exciting event heralded the arrival of the Christmas season with a visit from Santa Claus who arrived in a sleigh pulled by a horse.

The 2014 Judy Garland Festival Schedule is Announced

For nearly six months now, folks in Grand Rapids have been hard at work preparing for the 2014 Judy Garland Festival. 2014 will celebrate the 75^th Anniversary of The Wizard of Oz. The Festival will open on June 10^th, the 92^nd Anniversary of Judy Garland’s birth. As we look at the young Judy who seems forever young in the role of Dorothy, it is difficult to realize that much time has passed. 

The opening day of the 2014 Festival will begin with the unveiling of the new museum exhibitions, including the amazing 3,000 piece Wizard of Oz Collection.  There will also be birthday cake, to celebrate Judy’s birthday. That evening from 7 to 11pm, a birthday party for Judy Garland will be held at the Sawmill Inn Ballroom. The ballroom, which will be decorated like that Land of Oz, will have a cash bar, appetizer menu and “Judy” Karaoke, so make your plans now to join in the fun! 

More announcements about The 2014 Judy Garland Festival will be included in our January newsletter.

So have yourself a Merry Little Christmas and a very Happy New Year!

Visit the Judy Garland Museum: http://www.judygarlandmuseum.com

Hunt for the Ruby Slippers - 2013 Judy Garland Festival - October 2013

There’s a lot of exciting news from The Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota! This newsletter includes stories on:

The Hunt for the Stolen Ruby Slippers,

The Wizard’s Omaha Balloon,

The 2013 Judy Garland Festival

Itasca Gems – A new film documentary

And much more!

3-D IMAX Version of The Wizard of Oz Release!

September 20th, 2013 Judy Garland and The Wizard of Oz once again gained world- wide attention with Warner Brothers’ new release of the 3-D version of the 1939 film at IMAX theaters around the globe. 

Fans were thrilled to view Judy Garland and her co-stars appearing so real it seemed you could reach out and touch them. This great new version of The Wizard of Oz 75 years after its original release, not only attests to the film’s greatness but ensures the continuation of this much beloved classic.

Detectives on the Ruby Slippers Case

In a move that has been kept top secret for the last few months, the Judy Garland Museum received a visit this week from the detectives at Alexander & Associates, a company based in Minneapolis, Minnesota who are interested in finding the Ruby Slippers. As of now, the slippers, which were stolen from The Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota eight years ago, August 2005--the same night that Hurricane Katrina hit land--have yet to be recovered.

Alexander & Associates is a well-known detective firm. Not too long ago, they were

able recover a group of Norman Rockwell paintings stolen from a gallery in Minneapolis. The process of finding these iconic American paintings, now estimated to be worth $2 million a-piece, was an intricate and lengthy one. The search took the detectives first to Europe, and then to South America, where the Rockwell artwork was finally recovered.

Now, the hunt is on for the iconic Ruby Slippers! A reward of $250,000 is being offered for information leading to the Museum’s recovery of the slippers. It is hoped that this famed pair of shoes, worn by Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz, will be found and returned to the museum soon. The goal is to have them back in the Museum by June 10^th – the 92^nd anniversary of Judy’s birth in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, and the opening day of The Judy Garland Festival.

Keep your eyes open for more details on this story. Information will be released to the public any day now.

The Wicked Witch Arrives in Grand Rapids, Minnesota

Recently, the Wicked Witch of the West arrived in Grand Rapids. Her new home? The Judy Garland Museum. Of course, we’re not talking about the real witch, but rather an inter-active version of Margaret Hamilton’s Wicked Witch of the West. According to director John Kelsch, the witch is quite life-like and a bit spooky, moving her head and speaking to those who pass by.

The day the statue arrived, a three year-old girl had been visiting the museum with her mother and was having a wonderful time. However, after meeting the Wicked Witch, she began to cry and told her mother, “I never want to come back here again.” Although, older children and adults will enjoy this new edition to the museum, the realistic quality of the witch may be a bit much for small children. Says John Kelsch, “I wish we could purchase statues like this for all the characters, but unfortunately, this is the only one available.”

Professor Marvel’s Balloon in Oz

The 2014 Judy Garland Festival will receive a very special item on loan – an exact replica of the Wizard’s balloon; this is the balloon which brought Professor Marvel to Oz; the one in which he planned to take Dorothy back to Kansas.

An anonymous donor in Wisconsin, whose identity is so secret even director John Kelsch doesn’t know his name, recently sent his emissary with an offer to bring the hot air balloon to Grand Rapids for next year’s Festival. During the five-day Judy Garland Festival, the balloon will be positioned in various areas around town. The balloon will not be taken up in the air, but visitors will be able to have their photos taken in the balloon. This is going to be a once in a life-time opportunity, so don’t miss it!

Freak Storm Tears Off the Sawmill Inn Roof
- -   A Place Much-Loved by Garland Fans

This past summer, a wild rainstorm swept through Grand Rapids, Minnesota with such force that with a sudden “freak” burst of wind, part of the roof over the pool area of The Sawmill Inn was blown off. For some time, there was uncertainty as to how the roof would be replaced. Owner Corinne Jacobson was informed that the structure over the pool was too old to fix. As of September, however, we are happy to report that a temporary roof has been installed until a more permanent solution can be found. 

The Sawmill Inn is a place much loved by fans attending The Judy Garland Festival. In fact, it is a favorite location for fans only second to the Judy Garland Museum. Situated only two doors down from the Museum, many fans choose to stay at the Inn and enjoy the fine meals served in The Cedars Dining Room. In addition, over the years some of the Festival’s events have taken place in this unique log structure.

June Allyson and John Kelsch in front of the Sawmill Inn

Regular visitors to the Judy Garland Festivals fondly remember eating breakfast in The Cedars Dining Room with the Munchkins. Others recall meeting some of Judy’s co-stars, including Margaret O’Brien, June Allyson and Donald O’Connor in the halls of The Sawmill Inn as casually as you’d meet a neighbor on the street back home. Long-time Garland fans cherish evenings in the Sawmill after the Festival events of the day, where they can gather to talk about the day’s events, sing some of Garland’s favorite songs or, as in the old days, attend one of Gordon Steven’s unforgettable parties. Needless to say, The Sawmill Inn is a great place and we wish them a speedy recovery from this unfortunate event.

The Judy Garland Festival

For many Garland fans, the annual Judy Garland Festival is an event eagarly looked forward to each year. Treasured memories have been made and long-lasting friendships have been formed. These days, many persons plan their yearly vacations around this event in Judy Garland’s lovely hometown, Grand Rapids, Minnesota.

Although plans for the 2013 Festival were admittedly low-key, many persons consider it among their favorite festivals. A young fan who has attended The Judy Garland Festival for three years now, Lorraine Lassig-Banks, has kindly agreed to share some of her favorite experiences at The Judy Garland Festival.

The 2013 Judy Garland Festival

Lorraine in the Gumm;s front parlor with
Tom Hendricks who often appears
as the Scarecrow from The Wizard of Oz

By Lorraine Lassig-Banks

As a fan, my experience at the festival has been truly wonderful. The events are always fun and a real tribute to Judy. One of my favorite events from a past festival was The Ruby Slipper Mystery Dinner. At this event, each table had an Oz character on it. For the dinner, we had to create a story about how the ruby slippers were stolen using that character. It was such a fun and interactive. Everyone had a great time

Another favorite memory of the festivals was one year when Judy Garland and Oz Historian John Fricke was there. During one of the events, John and I were sitting on the floor in Judy's kitchen. They were recording an interview in the next room with Munchkin Karl Slover. When another fan, Paul Herrick, who was unaware of what was going on, went to open the door to the room where the interview was taking place, John Fricke tried to stop him, but when he was unable to, the look on his face was priceless. To this day, whenever I remember that moment, I laugh so hard, I bust a gut.

This past year (2013) was really a lot of fun. We had a Judy Jeopardy game (as we’ve done for several years now) and it was really great. Then, there were two awesome talks given by Michelle Russell in the front parlor of the Gumms’ home. (Gumm was Judy’s original name.) The program included some of the music Judy Garland, her two older sisters and her parents performed when she was little, as well as some original recordings from the era, stories and dances. There were also some sing-a-longs and a good time had by all.

To top the Festival off, we attended one of the greatest Garland related performances I’ve ever seen--Beyond the Rainbow, starring Jody Briskey as Ms.Garland herself. I loved this performance because it showed every aspect of Garland: her talent, her family history, her ups and her downs. Jody really captured so many great moments where Judy made us laugh, and then applaud her amazing ability to capture the deep emotions of songs like The Man that Got Away, Stormy Weather and, of course, Over the Rainbow.

I had a great time at the festival, as I always do. I can’t imagine any where I’d rather be. It’s always fabulous and fun to be in Grand Rapids, the original home of the one and only Judy Garland.

I think if you’re a Judy Garland fan or even a Wizard of Oz fan you will love Grand Rapids. It’s a wonderful place to visit. Along with having rooms filled with Judy Garland artifacts and collectors’ items, you also have the original home that Judy and her family lived in. It gives your visit that extra touch of Judy.
 

Why should fans come back? I think fans should come back because the festivals are always fun. There is always something fun to do, and there is always something new to learn about Judy and her life in Grand Rapids. I think Judy Garland fans are the most wonderful people you would ever want to meet.

New Documentary Film Includes Garland Museum

In June, film maker Benjamin Braff (cinematographer) & Alisi Styles of A +B Productions along with their able crew arrived in Grand Rapids to film portions of The Judy Garland Festival for the new documentary film, Gems of Itasca.

Benjamin Braff, a native of Grand Rapids in Itasca County hopes that his film will encourage the economic and cultural development of Itasca. Last week, the team returned to the Judy Garland Museum once again to interview John Kelsch and Jon Miner.

During the 2013 Judy Garland Festival, A+B Productions Braff filmed extensively, including an interview with author of “From Tennessee to Oz – The Amazing Saga of Judy Garland’s Family History.”

We will keep you informed with news on this production. The documentary series, which will be available online via social media, will have its premiere in Grand Rapids, Minnesota on May 21st, 2014. To read more about AtoB Productions and Gems of Itasca, please visit:

http://www.aplusbproductions.com | www.gemsofitasca.com

Events at the Children’s Museum

Although Judy Garland fans descend on Grand Rapids in June for the Festival and many others visit during the summer months, there are events taking place all year long. The Judy Garland Museum not only contains the Judy Garland Birthplace and Museum, which houses many  artifacts detailing Garland’s career, the building also houses the Children’s Museum with many rare and fascinating items.

This past week, the museum hosted a pumpkin decorating event which was attended by nearly sixty adults and children.

On November 30^th, the Children’s Museum will have a Christmas Party. The annual Christmas Party will include a hayrides and a visit from Santa himself!

***

Be sure to check back with us in November, where more news on the 2014 Festival and the new Wizard of Oz Collection will be revealed!

For more information, please visit: http://www.judygarlandmuseum.com

Judy Garland - Letter From Home - September 2013

JUDY GARLAND - LETTER FROM HOME

Our First Online Letter - September, 2013

During the mid-1990’s, several times a year The Judy Garland Museum mailed out a“Letter from Home” newsletter to everyone with a paid membership. Today, a new online “Letter from Home” makes its debut, and there is a lot of news to share!

Artwork by Jackie Dingmann

Some History

In 1975, Grand Rapid’s resident artist, Jackie Dingmann, founded what is today The Judy Garland Museum. Beginning with a one-room exhibit in the Central School House, The Judy Garland Museum was one of the very first celebrity museums in the United States. Jackie’s goal was to inspire the young people of the area to believe that just like Judy Garland they too could achieve great things. Eventually, Ms. Dingmann traveled to London where she made her goals for the museum known to Judy Garland's largest fan club. From there, the Judy Garland Museum grew until it was over flowing with memorabilia.

Four years later, in 1979, to celebrate the 30^th Anniversary of The Wizard of Oz, Ms. Dingmann hosted the first celebrity visitor in Grand Rapids – the film’s unforgettable Wicked Witch of the West, Margaret Hamilton. Since that time, eight additional celebrities, who worked directly with Judy Garland, have visited Grand Rapids: Mickey Rooney, June Allyson, Donald O’Connor, Jayne Meadows, Jane Powell, June Lockhart, Andy Williams and Margaret O’Brien. 

The Munchkins Visit Grand Rapids

Some of the persons in this photo include Meinhardt Raabe,
Coroner, Karl Slover and Margaret Pellegrini

Of course, one of the major attractions at the annual Judy Garland Festival has always been the “little people” who appeared in The Wizard of Oz. In 1990, Grand Rapids hosted largest gathering of Munchkins since the film was made. That year, thirteen Munchkins from The Wizard of Oz attended the festival along with their spouses; a total of twenty-two little people were brought up from Minneapolis on a bus. Perhaps the most unusual of these couples was 4’ 5” Jeanie, one of the Lullaby League, and her husband, Robert Blake, who at 7’ 5” was head and shoulders above everyone. The pair made their living performing in a kind of vaudeville act, which was booked all over the East Coast.

This gathering of Munchkins from The Wizard of Oz was important for many reasons, including the fact that this was the first time since 1938 that many of these people had seen one another. The Festival boasted a grand parade and scores of visitors to the town of Grand Rapids. The previous year boasted the largest number of visitors ever when 30,000 people descended on the small town of Grand Rapids!

Saying Goodbye to an Old Friend

Among the most popular and faithful guests at the annual Judy Garland Festival was “Sleepy Head” Munchkin, Margaret Pellegrini. Margaret attended The Judy Garland Festival more than sixteen years! Friends, acquaintances and staff at The Judy Garland Museum were saddened to learn of Margaret’s passing on August 7^th. She died just a few weeks shy of her 90^th birthday.

Margaret, born Williams, was a fifteen year-old girl from Tuscumbia, Alabama when she learned about the filming of The Wizard of Oz and headed for Hollywood. After making the film, she married a former fighter, Willie Pellegrini.

Margaret Williams in The Wizard of Oz

Those who knew Margaret recall her warm and feisty personality. Although she was small in stature, she was big in spirit. Over the years, she not only raised two children, but a number of grand-children and great grand-children. She was always warm and friendly to fans. She said she loved the festivals and would keep attending them until she died.  

Museum director John Kelsch recalls that every year, Margaret would greet him at the airport with a bottle of WD-40 to take the squeaks out of his creaky car doors.

Michelle Russell, author of From Tennessee to Oz – The Amazing Saga of Judy Garland’s Family History also recalls what a wonderful person Margaret Pellegrini was. After not seeing Margaret for quite a number of years, Ms. Russell was quite surprised when Margaret told her she had often wondered what happened to her, and asked about the little girl who played Baby Gumm at The Judy Garland Birthplace fifteen years earlier.

This was the kind of person Margaret Pellegrini was. She loved her visits to Grand Rapids and often said that The Sawmill hotel in Grand Rapids was her favorite home away from home. Margaret will long be remembered for carrying on the legacy of The Wizard of Oz.

Aussie Lands in Oz

June 2013, Left to right, Geoff Stallman, Michelle Russell and
Museuem Director, John Kelsch in front of the Judy
Garland Birthplace

This past May, Geoffrey Stallman of Australia traveled nearly 10,000 miles to donate his professional house painting services, putting a new coat of paint on The Judy Garland Birthplace. Geoff has been in the house painting profession since high school.

More than twenty-five years ago, back in his native Australia, Geoff became fascinated by Judy Garland and decided to come to America to learn more about her. That was back in 1988. While visiting Judy’s 1940s Bel Aire home, the owner invited him to spend the night.

It was during this same visit to America, that Geoff learned that Judy’s birthplace was Minnesota. Then, without realizing what he would be facing, he braved a February blizzard; following a big truck all the way north to Grand Rapids. Early the next morning, while unlocking the door to the Central School House museum, director John Kelsch was quite surprised to be greeted by this Aussie.

This year was Stallman’s sixth trip to Grand Rapids, a place he feels quite at home in. During the 2013 Festival this June, a Duluth television station interviewed him and did a big piece on his interest in Judy and The Judy Garland Museum.

The Judy Garland Birthplace Receives Authentic Meter

On July 11^th, 2011, Larry Krueger of Lake Crystal, Minn-esota donated a vintage 1920s electric meter to the museum. Recently, John Kelsch gave the meter a fresh coat of black paint and mounted it on The Judy Garland Birthplace. Mr. Kelsch says he felt great satisfaction in adding this bit of authentic memorabilia to the house. Next on the list will be the building of flower boxes for the front windows as seen in old photos of the home.

News on the 2014 Judy Garland Festival

Work on the 2014 Judy Garland Festival is now in high gear. Committees have been formed and businesses, both in Grand Rapids and Itasca County will be taking part to make next year’s festival a great event.

The 2013 festival will be a five day event, opening on Judy’s birthday, June 10^th and continuing through June 14^th. Look for our next Letter from Home in October for more details.

More News Coming Soon!

•           The Hunt for the Ruby Slippers
•           The new 3,000 piece Wizard of Oz Collection
•           A Wizard of Oz Murder Mystery Event
•          Talent Show for Eighteen and Younger
•           Hot Air Balloon Wizard of Oz Replica
•           The Wizard of Oz – 3-D Film Release
•           A Report on the 2013 Judy Garland Festival

Visit us now on:

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Twitter – twitter@judygarlandmuse

And as always, on the website: http://www.judygarlandmuseum.com