UNLOCK THE MEMORIES: FOX RIVER LOCKTENDER RESEARCH

Winnebago Lock, Portage

The Fox River is one of the only two remaining hand-operated lock systems in continuous operation remaining in the United States. To celebrate this history, the Fox-Wisconsin Heritage Parkway (FWHP) has collected stories and artifacts of the men and their families who made navigation safe for commercial and recreational travel on the Fox River since the mid-1800s. The Menasha was the only lock still in operation along the portion of the river running through the Fox Valley until last year when several of the Appleton locks were also restored and operational.  This history of the system is key to the tourism potential of the lock and river system in the future.  Menasha's locktender house is in need of repairs, its commanding location just east of the trestle trail will likely make its reuse feasable and desirable.

The FWHP was recently awarded a mini-grant from the Wisconsin Humanities Council to conduct oral history interviews. In December, two retired lockmasters, two lockmasters' children and a current locktender were interviewed by a folklorist from the University of Wisconsin. Research and interviews will be the first step in gathering the information needed to educate the public about this unique part of Wisconsin history. All research collected will help the FWHP support the concept of a travelling museum exhibit to focus on the lives of locktenders on the Fox River. 

 

On September 24, 2011, the Fox-Wisconsin Heritage Parkway held a reception in Appleton, drawing more than sixty locktenders, their families and descendants to share their common history.  The personal stories shared during this event, the history of the locks and locktenders, current restoration efforts of the lock system, and the role of the Fox-Wisconsin Heritage Parkway can be seen as part of the presentation: "Fox-Wisconsin Heritage Parkway: Unlocking the Memories."