I clicked onto this thread out of curiosity, knowing nothing about Hines. I certainly didn't expect to solve a longtime mystery...Where did the stuff from Minirama go. Being somewhat of a Wisconsin Dells historian and casual friends of the Reese's, I have been unable to find many answers regarding the fate of Minirama.
Jean Dyer Reese, great granddaughter of famed pioneer photographer, Henry Hamilton Bennett, AKA, HH Bennett. Many of you may recognize Bennett's photographs commissioned by the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad of the 1880s. More about HH Bennett in this link:
https://www.wisconsinhistory.o...cords/Article/CS3954
Jean with her husband, Oliver, continued operation of is now known as the nations oldest photographic studio, along with several other enterprises, Minirama being one of them. It was located in a storefront that was previously a Bennett postcard and souvenir shop.
The shop was located nearly across the street from the studio, where I spent many wonderful afternoons talking with Jean and Oliver discussing Dells history. The shortest topic of conversation I ever had with them was regarding Minirama. It was dropped like a hot potato after just one question. My takeaway was that Minirama was a complete flop and a very sore subject within the Reese family. I never spoke of it again. This view suggests the the writing, quite literally, is on the wall for Minirama...
Here's a more current view of the building...
Haunted indeed. The studio, however, is now a museum.
Sadly, both Jean and Oliver are gone, but I can't help but chuckle a little whenever I look through the glass and think about the many hours spent casually sitting in those spindly chairs...