It was seventeen years in the making, but on a freezing weekend this past February, Bob Coscarelli and longtime collaborator Tereasa Surratt were in Elkhorn, Wisconsin to photograph the reopening of the historic Camp Wandawega’s dining hall. Originally established in 1925 and closed in 1961, Camp Wandawega is now recognized on The National Register of Historic Places for its very colorful past. Prohibition-era characters would travel to the camp to eat and drink in the dining hall: gamblers, bootleggers, corrupt cops and judges, prostitutes and johns.
When Tereasa and partner David Hernandez purchased the venue seventeen years ago, they found all the original tables and chairs, as well as serving ware from the original restaurant days. Putting it all back in use went a long way in recreating the atmosphere. The period appropriate menu includes classic dishes like escargot; prime rib and fish & chips also adds to the ambience. As Bob tells us, “We seek out possessions and experiences that enrich us. My job is to capture the intangible pleasures as well as the literal benefits of my clients’ products and services.” In the case of Camp Wandawega, mission accomplished.
