Painting on Masonite, Model Swiss Chalet, and Lawn Windmill

	Lawn Windmill Swiss-American Karl Minnig, 1975 Recycled metal, electric conduit, wood, paint Gift of Fred & Hilda Bigler MHAHS 1986.042.0001
	Model Swiss Chalet Swiss-American Karl Minnig, 1972 Wood (recycled cheese boxes), glass, stones, fabric, plastic novelties Gift of William Garfoot MHAHS 1986.025.0001

Painting on Masonite Swiss-American Karl Minnig, 1968 Masonite, paint Gift of Merel Black MHAHS 2014.068.0001

A proud Swiss immigrant and notable Wisconsin cheesemaker, Karl Minnig enjoyed making ethnic crafts to sell alongside his cheese. Three examples appear here: a “whirly gig” lawn ornament, a small-scale replica of a Swiss chalet and a detailed painting of a Swiss farmyard. The fact that both Karl and his older brother were employed as cheesemakers in Wisconsin suggest an identity rooted in farming and particularly dairying. Karl’s heritage deeply influenced the objects he created and they, in turn, reveal his love and passion for a place, a culture, a memory and an identity.