A mirror, once part of Wanda Gag’s studio, and two of her original prints were delivered by J & R Schugel truck driver John Meredith.

Cara Knauf, president of the Wanda Gag House board, received the Wanda artifacts, carefully wrapped in a blanket. Once safely inside Wanda’s childhood home, she unwrapped the bundle to reveal an antique leaded mirror and two original works drawn by Gag.

The mirror was at least 80 years old. It had originally sat in Wanda Gag’s studio at her farm “All Creation” in New Jersey. The mirror had sat in the same room as Gag as she created countless works of art.

Two of Gag’s lithographs were included with the mirror. The original “Snowy Fields,” 1933 and “Siesta.” 1937.

Staff photos by Clay Schuldt Wanda Gag House Association members and J & R Schguel Trucking employees teamed up to bring items belonging to Wanda Gag back to her childhood home. L to R: Lee Knauf, John Meredith, Cara Knauf and Carrie Meredith stand in front a table displaying two original lithographs drawn by Gag and her studio mirror. Below: Wanda Gag lithographs “Snowy Fields” and “Siesta” were included with Gag’s donated mirror. The two lithographs were created by Gag in 1933 and 1937 respectively.

Until recently, these items were in the possession of Roberta Carter. Carter is the current owner of Gag’s “All Creation” farm. Her former father-in-law Clarence Carter had purchased the farm from Gag’s husband. The mirror and two lithographs were still stored on the farm.

Roberta Carter reached out to the Wanda Gag House to donate the items. Knauf said Carter was happy to send the items to New Ulm because they were going home where they belonged.

The Wanda Gag House was interested in the mirror and lithographs, but transportation was difficult. Shipping the mirror by UPS or Fedex had risks. The mirror is large and fragile, making this option costly.

Knauf reached out to the public to see if anyone in New Ulm was heading to Allentown, Pennsylvania and willing to bring the mirror and lithographs back.

Carrie Meredith learned of the situation from Lee Knauff and was able to coordinate with her husband, John Meredith, and other J&R Schugel staff to arrange the pickup. Carrie acknowledged that without the help of Mandy Hewitt, Alyssa Helle and Stacy Leesch this might not have been possible.

Through their assistance, John Meredith was rescheduled for a delivery route to Allentown. While there he was able to pick up the mirror and lithographs before returning to New Ulm.

John said it was a strange experience delivering a mirror belonging to Wanda. Transporting a large antique mirror is awkward, but when it is an artifact belonging to one of New Ulm’s best known natives, it is an adventure, he said. The item arrived in New Ulm without incident.

The addition of these items to the Wanda Gag House collections is a major triumph.

The public will be able to view the new items Thursday, Nov. 18. The Wanda Gag House will be open 3 p.m. Nov. 18 with a short program at 5:30 p.m. The Wanda Gag House annual meeting will follow at 6 p.m.