German decoration and family history and tradition is very important to the Bavarian Inn Family. All around the Bavarian Inn Restaurant and Lodge we showcase our traditions and history in art, photographs and decorations. Located at the Bavarian Inn Lodge there are 8 stained glass murals located in the Conference Center. Over the next 8 weeks we will showcase one mural. This is week 2.
In 1973, the Bavarian Inn Restaurant lower lobby was redecorated and transformed into a “family room”. These stained glass, free-handing panels, fashioned by local artist Bob Vavrina, were focal points and conversation pieces of the room. The windows were illuminated during the day by the outside light.
In 1987, during a large renovation to the Restaurant’s lower lobby, the stained class was put in storage. Now they are on display again – this time in the beautiful Bavarian Inn Lodge across the Cass River from the Restaurant.
Our second mural is the Farming Window:
Top – Steam Engine and Thrashing Machine
Jacob Bickel, grandfather of Wm. “Tiny” Zehnder, Jr., owned 8 of these machines that traveled from farm to farm, thrashing grain, beans, and clover.
Center – This was how the grain was shocked to dry out before it was thrashed
Bottom – The John Zehnder Farm
John Michael Zehnder, brother of William Zehnder, Sr., and wife Caroline (Lina) had 7 children: Elmer, Lydia, Harold, Edna, Edmund, Flora and Loretta.
Upper Right – Harvesting Ice from the Cass River
The ice was then stored in an ice house.
Lower Right – This type of whetstone was used on farms to sharpen
Shown left to right are: Frank Pietsch, Fred Nuechterlein, Richard Ortner, and Emil List.
Upper Left – Making a Farm Delivery
Lower Left – milking the Family Cow
Stay tuned for the next 6 Stained Glass Murals. All the stained glass murals in this series are available for viewing to all guests located in the Conference Center of the Bavarian Inn Lodge.
