Bert ‘Fish’ Hassell – Aviation Pioneer, Whiskey Bootlegger & Rockford Legend
March 16th at 10:00 AM in Nordic Cultural Center
Join us for Bert ‘Fish’ Hassell – Aviation Pioneer, Whiskey Bootlegger & Rockford Legend, presentation and lecture by Mike Frederiksen.
While Rockford is rich with aviation history, there were few characters as colorful as Bert "Fish" Hassell. Many in the Northern Illinois area are familiar with Bert Hassell's Rockford to Sweden pioneer flight attempt in 1929, however, did you know that famed aviator Glenn Curtiss Personally recruited him for flight training? Or that Hassell worked as a Canadian whisky bootlegger for the Chicago mob? Please join us as we take a dive into the eccentric and entertaining life of Rockford's own Bert "Fish" Hassell.
Cost for the presentation is $5.00 donation in support of the Erlander Home Museum. Call 815-963-5559 to RSVP or email [email protected].
While Rockford is rich with aviation history, there were few characters as colorful as Bert "Fish" Hassell. Many in the Northern Illinois area are familiar with Bert Hassell's Rockford to Sweden pioneer flight attempt in 1929, however, did you know that famed aviator Glenn Curtiss Personally recruited him for flight training? Or that Hassell worked as a Canadian whisky bootlegger for the Chicago mob? Please join us as we take a dive into the eccentric and entertaining life of Rockford's own Bert "Fish" Hassell.
Cost for the presentation is $5.00 donation in support of the Erlander Home Museum. Call 815-963-5559 to RSVP or email [email protected].
About the Presenter:
Mike Frederiksen graduated from Carleton University (Ottawa, Ontario) with a degree in psychology and history. His love of history developed at a young age under the guidance of his history-minded parents. No family vacation growing up was complete without a visit to a historic site or museum. Mike has a passion for local history, preservation and aviation history.
During his years studying history, Mike has developed a keen attention to and a soft spot for the small details often overlooked. With a dual interest in psychology, Mike relays history not only in terms of dates and places but also in terms of how history impacts those living through it.
Mike previously served as the curator, collections manager, education director and a volunteer for the Poplar Grove Vintage Wings and Wheels Museum for over 10 years. He now serves as Vice President of the Board of Trustees for Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum and Gardens, Board Treasurer of the Rockford Historical Society and on the board of the Poplar Grove Vintage Wings and Wheels Museum. Mike also works at the Rockford Public Library. Mike has spoken extensively on aviation history in the northern Illinois region.
Mike is the co-writer for “Images of America: Belvidere and Boone County,” (Arcadia Publishing, 2015). He is currently working on a book on Rockford aviation legend Fred Machesney.
Mike Frederiksen graduated from Carleton University (Ottawa, Ontario) with a degree in psychology and history. His love of history developed at a young age under the guidance of his history-minded parents. No family vacation growing up was complete without a visit to a historic site or museum. Mike has a passion for local history, preservation and aviation history.
During his years studying history, Mike has developed a keen attention to and a soft spot for the small details often overlooked. With a dual interest in psychology, Mike relays history not only in terms of dates and places but also in terms of how history impacts those living through it.
Mike previously served as the curator, collections manager, education director and a volunteer for the Poplar Grove Vintage Wings and Wheels Museum for over 10 years. He now serves as Vice President of the Board of Trustees for Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum and Gardens, Board Treasurer of the Rockford Historical Society and on the board of the Poplar Grove Vintage Wings and Wheels Museum. Mike also works at the Rockford Public Library. Mike has spoken extensively on aviation history in the northern Illinois region.
Mike is the co-writer for “Images of America: Belvidere and Boone County,” (Arcadia Publishing, 2015). He is currently working on a book on Rockford aviation legend Fred Machesney.