Friday, November 03, 2023

The full influence of the Rueping family on the Fond du Lac community is not well known. Discover just how large of an imprint the Rueping family made on the city during the November History at Home program, set for Thursday, Nov. 9 at 6 p.m. in the Fond du Lac Public Library’s McLane Room.

The Rueping family might be best known for the Rueping Leather Co., which was founded in 1854. It was one of Fond du Lac’s largest employers, with a staff of up to 1,200 people at its peak.

Rueping was not only one of the largest employers in the area, but was also known for its many sponsorships for employees and Henry Rueping's arrowhead collection.

But the leather company wasn’t the only business the family had a hand in. In addition to Rueping Leather Co., the Rueping family was involved with many other companies, such as Giddings & Lewis, Corium Farms and The Harris Typewriter Company, to name a few. Learn more about the role the family played in each of these Fond du Lac cornerstones during November’s History at Home program. 

History at Home will pause for December, and then return in 2024 with a new slate of speakers and topics. Next year’s programs will include:

  • Jan. 11: The Founding of Wisconsin's Veterans Home
  • Feb. 8: The History of Lakeside Park
  • Mar. 14: The All-American Girls Professional Baseball League in Wisconsin
  • April 11: Lisle Lester, early Fond du Lac resident & women's rights pioneer
  • May 9: Finding Fond du Lac’s soldiers - Identifying remains of soldiers who died abroad
  • June 13: The History of Wisconsin's KKK
  • July 11: The History of the Oakfield Speedway
  • Aug. 8: Early Fond du Lac sheriffs
  • Sept. 12: Singer Al Jarreau & his connection to Fond du Lac County
  • Oct. 10: Pier Cemetery
  • Nov. 14: Tribal History of the Ho-Chunk Nation

History at Home programs focus on stories about the area's past every month. Programs are held on the second Thursday of every month at 6 pm in the McLane Room. The programs are free; no registration is necessary to attend. Those who are unable to attend in person may watch live via Facebook at facebook.com/FDLPL. Many History at Home programs also are captured on video and shared on the library's YouTube channel. 

Fond du Lac Public Library operates two locations: the Main Library at 32 Sheboygan St. in downtown Fond du Lac, and the Allen J. Buechel Branch at 1132 E. Johnson St. near Festival Foods. The main library is open daily: Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Chapter 52 Bookstore at 52 Sheboygan St. is open Monday through Wednesday from 2 to 6 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., while the Allen J. Buechel Branch is open weekdays from 2 to 6 p.m., and weekends from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information about any of these locations, visit fdlpl.org.