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Who Was Rollo Jamison?
Rollo Jamison was born on a farm near Beetown, July 15, 1899 to George and Stella Jamison. Rollo was the oldest of 4 children; siblings Stella, Roy, and Raymond. He started collecting as a child: picked up arrowheads in his father’s fields. George Jamison left the family when Rollo was 12. George went to British Columbia to find work and never returned. Rollo had to leave school when he was a 4th grader to work to help support family. He worked for local farmers; in his uncle’s store; on a road construction crew. Rollo had a girlfriend, Goldie Mayne. When he had to choose between getting married and collecting, he chose collecting. In 1921, Rollo went into business for himself, building an auto repair shop. After 20 years of fixing cars, Rollo wanted a business that provided more cash on hand rather that charges in the ledger; decided to open a tavern. Rollo began filling the tavern with his collection and talking history with anyone who had stories to tell. Rollo was drafted in 1942 and spent a brief time in the Army as an MP. When he returned to Beetown, he helped form the Hometown Club, a group that sent letters every week to the local boys in the service. In 1947, Rollo bought his wire recorder and began recording oral history interviews. He sold the tavern in the early 1950s, bought some land in Beetown, and began building his museum. Rollo didn’t make enough money running the museum, so he took the job as janitor at the Beetown school. He provided many educational opportunities for the kids: field trips, movies, activities at the museum Rollo realized that he had to make plans for the museum after his death. He did not want the collection broken up or sold. Several groups and cities were approached, but none would meet Rollo’s conditions. Jamison Museum Association formed to support the moving of the collection to Platteville and opening the museum. Rollo served as Grand Marshall of 1980 Dairy Days Parade. Platteville accepted the collection after much discussion and a referendum vote. The museum opened in Platteville on June 14, 1981. Rollo Jamison died on Monday, August 12, 1981 and was buried in Beetown. |
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