• 
• CLASS
• JOBS
• AUTO
• HOMES

Will Parker archives land in museum?

Photo

Karl Dommerhausen

Local interest in the wayward Parker Pen archives keeps growing.

Local businessman Karl Dommershausen announced Tuesday that he and others have formed a committee to explore the possibility of creating nonprofit museum in Janesville. As one of its exhibits, the museum could feature part of the Parker Pen archive.

Newell Rubbermaid, which now owns Parker Pen, is closing its United Kingdom-based New Haven, East Sussex, plant, where Parker Pen’s collection of pens and historical records is kept. The group is moving operations to France, raising questions about where the archive will end up.

Dommershausen, who owns 27 West Appraisal and Estate Services and is a member of Janesville’s Downtown Development Alliance, said the museum exploratory committee is in touch with Newell Rubbermaid about Parker’s archives.

It’s still unclear whether Newell Rubbermaid would donate any of its archives, or if some of the items could be sold.

“We’re just trying not to bug them,” Dommershausen said.

The museum committee still is working on a feasibility study, he said. A board for the committee has not been assembled, and Dommershausen declined to name any investors who might be interested.

Listed as participants in the museum committee are Bill Boyd, John Wickhem, Mary Wilmer-Sheedy, Rich Gruber, Brad Cantrel, George Brunner, Roger Axtell, Dave Johnson, Cheryl Peterson and Madge Murphy.

Dommershausen said the committee decided to announce its plans after local collector Al Lembrich on Feb. 22 presented a resolution to the city council requesting that some of Parker’s archives be returned to Janesville to be displayed by the Rock County Historical Society.

As of yet, no site has been chosen for a possible museum, although Dommershausen said the committee would like it to be located in or near downtown or adjacent to the Tallman House.

The Rock County Historical Society hasn’t officially announced interest in the possible museum, Dommershausen said, and the museum committee hasn’t asked the city for assistance.

“Nothing’s set in stone,” Dommershausen said.

Dommershausen said a Parker Pen exhibit could be just one facet of the museum. It could include other exhibits showing the history of commerce and manufacturing in Janesville. And it could include a children’s museum, he said.

“It isn’t going to happen overnight, but we’ve got to lay groundwork should an economic opportunity present itself,” he said.

Meanwhile, other groups are interested in the future of Parker Pens archive, including New Haven’s own Historical Society, Lembrich previously told the Gazette.

“This is about more than just charging ahead and yelling. It’s more than just coming and grabbing things and bringing them back to Janesville,” Dommershausen said.

The museum committee is in touch with members of the Parker family, he said.

“It’s a matter of making sure that no one’s left out,” Dommershausen said.

The exploratory committee is trolling for financial and organizational support as it moves forward, Dommershausen said.

“Maybe we’ll end up like Rotary Gardens where we have a great volunteer group,” he said.