Charles "Carl" Wassenberg was born in Canal Dover, Ohio, on Feb. 13, 1875.  He came to Van Wert with his parents as a young boy.  He married Vera Woodruff, the daughter of a wealthy family.  Wassenberg's first business venture was with Charles Balyeat; the two men established the B & W Clothing Store on East Main Street across from the Courthouse.  In 1930, Wassenberg became interested in growing peonies.  He sold his share in the clothing business so he could devote all his time to peony farming.

            His first peony garden was behind his residence at 643 S. Washington Street.  During the flowering season, in early June, it was visited by thousands of people.  He expanded the garden to two acres of land between Washington and Elm Streets, using a barn located there to store and package peony tubers for shipment throughout the United States and to foreign countries. 

            It eventually became necessary for him to move the garden to a farm on East Lincoln Highway; the peony and iris plants there covered 30 acres.  In 1937, Wassenberg served as President of the National Peony Society.

            At the same time that his peony business was expanding, he found an entirely different activity – something that he and Vera could both enjoy.  Their friend, Lew Miller, an artist, invited them to join a group that met at Miller's studio at 745 S. Washington St. to draw and paint, and take art lessons from Miller.  This group soon outgrew Miller's studio.  They moved to the YMCA, where they held their first painting session on Oct. 19, 1945.  The group was first known as the YMCA Art Club, and then changed its name to the Van Wert Art Club.  Charles and Vera Wassenberg and Lew and Edna Miller were enthusiastic participants.

            Charles and Vera Wassenberg also loved to travel, and this experience was enhanced for them when they brought their painting equipment along.  They painted pictures of many of the exotic locations they visited in Europe and South America.

            Vera Wassenberg died in 1952.  The couple had no children. 

            At the time of Charles Wassenberg's last illness, the Art Club was holding meetings in the YMCA.  There had been talk about the Art Club being mentioned in Wassenberg's will, and friends of his had talked to him concerning this.  Dr. Fred Sheets and Lew Miller called on him at the hospital but came away not sure of what might take place.

            When news came of Wassenberg's death Oct. 1, 1954, it was found that he had made a will Aug. 14, 1954, leaving the bulk of his estate to Art Development in Van Wert County.   The trust and building were to be administered by the Van Wert County Foundation.  In his will, Wassenberg indicated that he would like to have the Art Club meet at his former home.  He also requested that the Art Club's annual June art exhibit be continued there.

            Soon meetings were being held in the Wassenberg home with the executive committee of the Van Wert County Foundation.  It was determined that it would take a lot of elbow grease to make the home ready to be a meeting place for the Art Club, but all were willing to try.

            With the help of Art Club members and spouses, as well as a few Foundation members, the house was cleaned, organized and painted from attic to basement and much "junk" was discarded. One gentleman from the Van Wert County Foundation rolled up his sleeves and tackled the coal bin, coming out of it "several shades darker than usual," according to the other club members.

            Finally the house was ready to use and the Art Club began meeting there.  In June 1955 the club, now named the Van Wert County Art Club, held an open house with paintings by Carl and Vera Wassenberg as well as work by members of the Art Club.  In May 1956, remodeling allowed Victor and Betty Germann, caretakers, to move into an upstairs apartment. 

            In October 1959 the Van Wert County Foundation signed a contract with Hisey and Bebout for construction of a building addition.  The addition became the Main Gallery of the Wassenberg Art Center.

            In 1961, the Wassenberg Art Center Association was created and the Center's new addition was formally dedicated on February 4, 1961.

            The Fine Arts Association disbanded around 1969, and the art and camera clubs took over handling of the art center. 

            Eventually the art center began hiring directors.  The caretakers' apartment was converted to a darkroom and meeting room for the Wassenberg Camera Club and an office for the director.

            The art center now presents an average of eight unique exhibits each year.  In accordance with Charles Wassenberg's wishes, all exhibits are free to the public.  The center also presents workshops and classes for all ages throughout the year.  Members receive reduced fees for these workshops as well as discounts on trips and other activities.

Funding

The Wassenberg Art Center is funded mainly from three sources: a grant administered by the Van Wert County Foundation, money brought in through fundraisers, and money obtained through yearly membership fees. Art Center members not only receive the benefits of membership, but also can rest assured they are contributing to the support of the arts in the Van Wert area.