Kewanee Museum

National Corn Husking History

Kewanee Historical Society has dedicated an area of their museum to the corn husking
contest and the people that participated in them. Pictures of the National Corn Husking
Contest and the champions of the 80 minute contest that were held from 1924 through 1941
are on display. News paper  and magazine articles from the first contests have been
arranged by year and contestants. An extensive display of the corn husking hooks and pegs
are hung for easy view. Articles on the revived Illinois State contest  and National contest
have also found a place at the museum.

Kewanee Illinois has several motels and many excellent restaurants . Bishop Hill, a
historical community is located 12 miles to the south west of Kewanee. It has crafts,
antique shops and historical museums. Both towns merit a stop if you are in the area.

As Ruthe E. Seiler's wrote in her article The Corn Husking Story about her brother Carl
Seiler the 1932 National Champion -
"Many honors came to Carl after his 1932 win because of the record he set. There were
write-ups in newspapers from coast to coast. The Chicago papers sent newsmen to the farm
to take pictures and interview Carl. People wrote from everywhere - some who also had
the Seiler name - others enclosed pictures or write-ups from their papers - and quite a
number of women proposed to him!
Of course he was asked to endorse products, but he would only endorse two: for his make
of husking gloves and his hook and for these he accepted no pay. WLS sent Red Foley,
their country music singer (Pat Boone's father in-law), down to the farm to persuade Carl
to appear (all expenses paid of course) at the Eight Street Theater in Chicago on the WLS
National Barn Dance program."