THE MAIN STREET STORY

The Main Street Story is a Community Powered, Wisconsin Humanities Project designed to collect and share the voice of community members via short stories about the historic, downtown of Ashland, WI. A few events will be held at the Ashland Historical Society Museum in April for the public to gather and share their experiences guided by a few simple questions and historic photographs on display. Following the first few events, a virtual exhibit of the collected experiences will demonstrate the value that downtown Ashland holds in the community. The beauty of the evolving final product will complement factual historical data with lived experiences.

Efforts are being carried out by Tess Komas in partnership with the Ashland Historical Society Museum, the Chamber of Commerce and C&S Design & Engineering.

MEET TESS

My name is Tess Komas and I am a Community Powered Fellow with Wisconsin Humanities. About eight months ago, I was awarded a fellowship, along with seven others in the Northwoods (3 in Ashland) and we have since been attending a combination of virtual and in-person workshops to put together our own humanities tool kit that we can use in pursuing and kick starting a project in our respective communities.

I grew up in the Northwoods, not far from Ashland, in Park Falls and then lived in Milwaukee for 6 years while pursuing both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in architecture. On school breaks, I often came back to work at C&S Design & Engineering and now I am a Full time Project Architect for the company and have been since August of 2023. Throughout my time as an emerging professional, I have contributed and worked on a few community and community centered projects including: The Mobile Design Box, Cherry Street Community Garden Bench Project, Reflo Green & Healthy Schoolyards and Communities of Crocus. I am inspired by small communities and want to add to the resilience of our area. I also want to be up front about recent life events that have brought my husband and I back to Milwaukee. So, while I only lived in the immediate area for about a year and a half, I am still very passionate about my project and will be making regular trips back to Ashland.

TELL YOUR STORY

Event dates and times will be posted shortly.

In the meantime, I can share the prompts I have in mind below. If you have any questions or want to get in touch, please feel free to contact me email me at tess@csdesignengineering.com with your name and a brief description of your story.

What traditions or events, important to this community, have taken place on Main Street?

What are some of your favorite memories on Main Street?

Are there any local legends or stories that people still talk about?

How have businesses or landmarks on Main Street changed over time?

What do you think makes Main Street unique?

How do you hope future generations will remember this place?

If you could pass down one story about Main Street, what would it be?

Who originally owned or used (specified building) and how has that changed over time?

Do you have any personal memories tied to (specified building)?

Have you heard any stories or legends about (specified building)?

If (specified building) could tell a story, what do you think it would say?

What would be lost if this (building) were no longer here?

If you could bring back one moment from (specified building's) past, what would it be?

In the near future, I am also hoping to start a traveling "phone booth" to continue the project and collect place based stories and experiences centered around the space or building that the phone occupies for that period of time so please be on the look out!