Mueller Water Products Donates Thousands of Antique Records and Historic Objects to Hieronymus Mueller Museum
The Hieronymus Mueller Museum is excited to announce that Mueller Water Products generously donated more than 10,000 antique records and historic objects to the museum.
Mueller has been doing business in Decatur, IL since 1857 when German immigrant and machinist, Hieronymus Mueller, first opened a gun and machine shop, which turned into a manufacturer for the water and gas industries. Being in business for more than 168 years – nearly as old as the city itself – means accumulating many paper documents and 3-D objects.
“This is a historically significant donation,” said Katherine Unruh, Museum Director of the Hieronymus Mueller Museum. “We are beyond thrilled and extremely grateful to receive such a treasure trove of historical information and objects from Mueller Water Products.”
“We are honored to make this contribution to the Hieronymus Mueller Museum. Not only do these records, photographs, and other artifacts shed light on the remarkable man and inventor Hieronymus was, but they also provide insight into the employees who helped build Mueller Water Products into the great company it is today,” said Martie Edmunds Zakas, Chief Executive Officer of Mueller Water Products. “This donation ensures that Hieronymus’ legacy will be preserved for both current and future generations, while honoring the contributions of those who helped develop the city of Decatur.”
Some of the donated items include:
- Approximately 10,000 antique employee records from 1900 – 1945
- Dozens of photographs of employees from the 1940s and 1950s
- A grandfather clock identified as once sitting in a Mueller Company board room
- Copies of Mueller Company’s war contracts during World War II
- About two dozen original U.S. patent letters awarded to Mueller family members and company members, including the 1872 patent letter awarded to Hieronymus Mueller for one of his best-known inventions: the Drilling and Tapping Machine
“These artifacts not only tell the story of Mueller but are also an important historical database for the city of Decatur and the surrounding community,” said Sara Vanagas, Senior Human Resources Manager at Mueller Water Products. “Providing access to these records for researchers, genealogists, historians, and the general public highlights how Mueller and the community have benefitted each other for more than a century.”
“These records and artifacts will undoubtedly help the museum craft new stories about the company’s, family’s, and employees’ role in improving everyday life for everyone in Decatur and across the country. We are incredibly grateful for the donation,” said Peter Mueller, Board President of the Hieronymus Mueller Family Foundation.
The 3-D objects and 2-D documents are not on display as this time. They are being catalogued into the museum collection.
“As for the antique employee records, it will take a few years before museum staff can digitally scan them, collect them into a searchable database, and make them accessible to the public,” said Unruh. “The museum hopes to make that a reality in the years ahead.”
About Mueller Water Products, Inc.
Mueller Water Products, Inc. is a leading manufacturer and marketer of products and solutions used in the transmission, distribution and measurement of water in North America. Our broad portfolio includes engineered valves, fire hydrants, pipe connection and repair products, metering products, leak detection, pipe condition assessment, pressure management products, and software that provides critical water system data. We help municipalities increase operational efficiencies, improve customer service and prioritize capital spending, demonstrating why Mueller Water Products is Where Intelligence Meets Infrastructure®. Visit us at www.muellerwaterproducts.com.
About Hieronymus Mueller Museum
The Hieronymus Mueller Museum is owned and operated by a private non-profit organization, the Hieronymus Mueller Family Foundation. The museum tells the story of Hieronymus Mueller, his family, and the company he founded.
The museum is located near downtown Decatur, IL at 420 W. Eldorado Street. To get to the museum from Decatur, IL go north on Route 51 and turn left onto Eldorado Street/U.S. 36. The museum will be on your right. Plenty of free parking is available in the Visitor Parking Lot.
The museum is open to the public Tuesdays through Saturdays from 1pm to 4pm. Regular admission is $3/adult, $1/child, and free for all Mueller employees and retirees. Connect on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/MuellerMuseum.
For additional image requests, contact:
Katherine Unruh, Museum Director
217-423-6161
KUnruh@MuellerMuseum.org
records dating from 1900 to 1945.
letter awarded to Hieronymus Mueller for his Drilling and Tapping Machine invention.
