|
Welcome to the Village of Bartlett Museums; the Bartlett History Museum and
the Bartlett Depot Museum. Both museums are operated and funded by the Village of Bartlett,
Illinois and are committed to the exhibition and education of our community's rich history.
|
 |
Picture of the Week
The start of a new year has historically been a perfect time to make personal resolutions! The focus could be on losing weight, eating healthy or even fiscal responsibility and saving money. If the last example is your choice, the little piggy from Hanover-Wayne Savings & Loan Association is here to help. To learn more about the institution and the piggy bank, please read about the Artifact of the Month below.
The original filing applicants for the Hanover-Wayne Savings & Loan Association in 1961 included Otto H Windt, Arthur Taylor, Harold Rassmussen, William R. Leiseberg, Fred Jacobson and Donald M. Brener. This picture, which is not dated, was taken inside the facility directly after the ribbon cutting ceremony, which was most likely in late 1963. If you look closely, you can see a car parked outside. The style of the Illinois license plate aided in dating this photo to 1963.
Otto Windt, front row, first on left, was a member of the association's board of directors and served as treasurer. In 1948, Windt and his wife, Valerie, purchased 180 acres from William R. Leiseberg and Fred Best. The land was located off of Devon Avenue, west of Main Street, where the original access dirt road which led to the farm house at 515 W. Devon began. Windt was a vice president of E. J. Brach Candy Company by the time of his retirement. He is credited with developing the Pick-A-Mix candies. The University of Chicago Phi Beta Kappa graduate served as a Village trustee from 1961 to 1964.
Art Taylor, back row, second from left, moved to Bartlett in 1937 with his wife, Genevieve. They purchased the Tatge farm at the north end of town. Taylor worked for Montgomery Ward at the time, as the company's treasurer.
Taylor helped organize the Bartlett Council of Defense during WW II and served as its director. He also was a Village trustee, serving from 1945 to 1949 and again from 1955 to 1961. Taylor, who later became a contractor, was on the first Zoning Board of Appeals and served as chairman. He was also a charter member of the Bartlett Lions Club.
Artifact of the Month, January 2012 -- Hanover-Wayne Savings & Loan piggy bank
Do you remember a time in Bartlett when there were only two financial institutions? In 1910, the Village's first bank, Bartlett State Bank, opened. Just a little more than 50 years passed before a second financial institution, Hanover-Wayne Savings & Loan Association, opened its doors to area residents.
The foundation was laid for the facility in December of 1961. A legal notice was posted in the Roselle Register regarding the application to organize in Illinois. The name was representative of the two townships, Hanover and Wayne, the association would conveniently serve and not the villages of Hanover Park and Wayne.
After more than three and a half years in the organizing stage, the savings and loan received its insurance of accounts on December 24, 1963. By July 1964, after only six months of operation, the association's assets exceeded $1.4 million.
The July 9, 1964 Arlington Heights Herald published the story "Hanover-Wayne is Newcomer in Area." The article introduced the staff and stated that during the month of July customers would receive a free gift when they open a new account for a $100 or more or add to their present account.
Long before the days of online banking, a 1965 ad announced banking by mail. Snail mail that is! The ad assured "It's so CONVENIENT" and "all transactions [are] handled in complete confidence by our highly-experienced personnel." Patrons were encouraged to "call or stop in for full details" including "Save by Mail" materials. At that time, the rate paid on savings was 4 1/4%.
Hanover-Wayne offered incentives throughout its history, such as a "beautiful Danish Modern ice cream scoop" for new account holders in 1964. This blue plastic piggy bank was another example. The bank measures 4 3/4 inches from tail to snout and is 2 1/2 inches from the piggy's feet to the top of his fedora hat. A slot on his back allows for money to be tucked inside. However, there is no way to remove it without breaking the bank. Note that Illinois is abbreviated as "Ill" on the side of the bank. In 1963, the United States Post Office changed state abbreviations to two letters to effectively work in tandem with the new zip code system. This bank is a new donation from the estate of Harris and Pearl (nee Hoth) Gates.
The savings and loan served area residents until 1975, when it ceased operations. The building became home to St. Paul Federal Savings, which quickly expanded into the entire structure. If you have any information and/or images and artifacts you would like to share concerning Hanover-Wayne Savings & Loan Association, please contact Museum Director Pam Rohleder at prohleder@vbartlett.org.
Museum Donations
Ever wonder how the Bartlett History Museum acquires all of the artifacts, images, textiles and more for its collection? These items come from past and present residents, family descendants, and generous individuals who donate them. The Museum is always seeking objects and photos that capture a moment in Bartlett's rich past. The archives contains hundreds of items, ranging in size from a button off the first Bartlett Girl Scout uniform to a six-foot nail bin from the old Schultz Hardware. Do you have Bartlett items you would like to donate to the Museum's archives? Please contact Pam Rohleder, Director, at 630-837-0800.
The museums are members of the American Association of Museums, Association of State and Local History, Illinois Association of Museums, and the Kane-DuPage Regional Museum Association.