Images and Stories

Marie Erskine Hein signs Mona Orthober’s copy of “Fred Erskine, Jacksonport’s Photographer”.

Marie Erskine Hein will be on hand at Jacksonport’s Cherry Fest on Aug. 2 to sign copies of the recently published Fred Erskine, Jacksonport’s Photographer. Fred Erskine (1890-1986) purchased his first camera in 1910 and has long been regarded as “Jacksonport’s photographer.” The album was written for the Jacksonport Historical Society (JHS) by Rebecca Halstead with Erskine’s daughter, Marie.

Now 92 years old, Marie is currently a resident of Green Bay. She was born April 28, 1922 in her grandmother’s parlor at the post office in Jacksonport. She lived in the post office with her parents, siblings, grandparents, aunt, and cousin until the age of 18 when she married Stanley Hein, who was also born in his family home in Jacksonport. 


Halstead attributes the success of this book not only to the quality of Fred’s pictures but also to his oldest child. “My time with Marie is the ingredient that brought this book to life,” Halstead affirms. “Sitting at a table covered with her father’s photographs, Marie shared the stories behind the images. It was an amazing experience as she spoke of her parents, brothers, sisters, and neighbors with such fondness and clarity of remembrance.”

This photo collection features Jacksonport’s early industries of lumbering, commercial fishing, and farming.


The 20th annual Cherry Fest will be held at Lakeside Park and the Erskine Rest Area, along Highway 57 in Jacksonport, from 7 am to 4 pm on Aug. 2. Marie Erskine Hein will be present from 11 am to 2 pm at the JHS booth next to the root cellar on the west side of the road where a classic car show is being held this year for the first time. All proceeds from Cherry Fest and sales of Fred Erskine, Jacksonport’s Photographer will go to the JHS museum development fund.