We often stop & shop on our way back to Fargo from Wisconsin, and a few weeks ago I purchased these two old bits of paper.

Both promote social events — early mixers of sorts.

The first, or earliest, invites “yourself and friends” to the 1st Grand May Party, arranged by the Pearl Pleasure Club, at the Metropolitan Hall on the evening of May 30th 1908. Since the location for the hall is given as “Cor. 6th and Clarke Streets”, it seems this event was held the old Pabst Brewing Company Hall in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Sing-alongs must have been a part of the evening’s amusements as the back of both cards contain song lyrics. Images & imaginings of such gatherings are both charming and, in the case of my memories of such large untrained singing groups, a bit alarming. Especially when you factor in the great likelihood of beer, a staple in Wisconsin social gatherings (historically speaking).

The first card has the lyrics for When It’s Moonlight On The Prairie; a cute song about the poor boy who wins his wealthy bride by convincing her to run off and elope with him, ending with the amusing irony that the rich girl’s pop had similarly won mom that way.

The second bit of ephemera promotes the After Easter Ball, arranged by the White Lily Socials, at the Bahn Frei Turn Hall. A search for this shows nothing in Milwaukee — and with the location sates and 12th Street and North Avenue, it cannot be, as I thought, the grand Turner Hall. Searching only helped me define Bhan Frei (”Clear the way!”) as a popular motto for German Turn-Art organizations, but did not help me with the location. Nor did any research clarify any history on the Milwaukee Turners having additional locations.

Ah, more mystery… I love that. And hate it too. It’s like a wiggly tooth in my mouth and I must keep playing with it until something pops up (or out).

While both cards were found and purchased together in Wisconsin, this does not mean that both must be from the same area; however I was able to find another similar card for Bahn Frei Turn Hall, and that seller states it was from Milwaukee. Plus, the idea of such musical social gatherings seems to fit the historical profile of Turner Hall… But the wiggly, nagging mystery continues (at least until some one pops up with information — hint-hint).

I’m especially interested in this particular card — not only for the thrill of the hunt regarding missing information on the location, possible connections with Turner Hall, and the intriguing White Lily Socials (which, as nothing about it is found on Google, must never have existed), but for the equally mysterious song on the back…

I’ve Got to Go and Get Myself a Girl Like You is an absolutely charming little ditty & I’d like to know the tune, who wrote it, and what sort of group would select such a cheeky song for a public gathering. (Another elbow in the ribs for information.)

Interestingly, the 1908 event had a $1 admission while the one from 1912 states tickets were 25 cents (and 50 cents at the door). While I (admittedly) don’t know much about the venues, I was surprised that four years later the price would be so much cheaper… Perhaps this is just about the stature of each venue, the popularity & budget of the group who hosted/arranged the socials, or the cost of the (possible) band or other entertainment. Or maybe it has to do with the growth of the city & competing social events. There are lots of ideas to chew on here. However, both events were free to ladies, proof that ladies nights and drink specials for ladies are nothing new at all. Where the ladies are, the men will show up. And even sing.

But then again, the beer was likely flowing. That always helps.

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This entry was posted on Monday, May 12th, 2008 at 6:56 am and is filed under Uncategorized, flea market finds. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.