Hamburger Memorabilia
The Seymour Community Museum
The Seymour Community Museum, established as a Bicentennial project, was opened in 1976. It presents a history of the settlement of the area and the transition from a lumbering to an agricultural economy. See the general store, an old time funeral parlor, doctor’s office, beauty shop, granny home, and much more. Considerable space is devoted to “Hamburger Charlie” and the origin of the burger in Seymour. The museum features the world's largest collection of hamburger related items. Entrance to the museum the Saturday of Burgerfest is included with the purchase of your Burgerfest wristband.
Seymour, Wisconsin, the "Home of the Hamburger" is an idyllic community of about 3,000 located in the heart of dairy country 15 miles west of Green Bay.
Burgerfest started in 1989 to celebrate the birth of the burger in Seymour in 1885. On August 4, 2001 an 8,266 pound burger was cooked up on the mammoth "Charlie Grill." You are cordially invited to Seymour to help us commemorate the "Birth of the Burger."
Hamburger Charlie
In 1885, Charles Nagreen, a lad of 15, was selling meatballs at the Seymour Fair. When people wanted to walk around and eat, he flattened the meatballs into patties, put them between pieces of bread, and called his creation a “hamburger.” “Hamburger Charlie” sold burgers at the Seymour fair for 66 years. The museum display shows Charlie and his crew posed with a sign that states, “Since 1885.” Also on exhibit are Charlie’s original spatula, his butter pot, and lucky horseshoe. Newspaper articles and testimonials from co-workers verify that Seymour is the original “Home of the Hamburger.”
The Food, Travel and History Channels have produced programs featuring Burger Fest and the origin of the burger.
Souvenirs Available in the Seymour Community Museum
| Product | Description |
|---|---|
| “Charlie” T-Shirts | $12.00 |
| Commemorative Coin | $12.00 |
| Burger Fest Caps | $15.00 |
| Burger Fest Blankets | $25.00 |
| Charlie Bobble Head | $10.00 |
| 25 Year Button Placemat | $5.00 |
| Burgerfest Postcard Sm | $1.25 |
| Burgerfest Postcard Lg | $1.50 |
| Burgerfest Magnet Sm 2x3 | $3.00 |
| Burgerfest Magnet Lg 4x6 | $5.00 |
| Can Coolers | $2.00 |
| Red Sports bottle | $7.00 |
| Metal Sports tumbler | $10.00 |
Visit the Museum Gift Shop for the full selection of items.