Village of Plainfield responds to new Ed Gein show on Netflix

The case of Ed Gein is being brought back to light following the release of the newest installment of the Monster series on Netflix. The series is shedding light on the case once again, which has resulted in a wide array of responses throughout the local community.
The Village of Plainfield addressed the series at their regular board meeting on Oct. 7, as several outlets have reached out for a response from the village. Since the series’ release, there has also been an influx of visitors wanting to see where the events took place nearly 70 years ago. This is most evident at the cemetery, where foot traffic has greatly increased.
Locals have expressed their concerns on the community’s Facebook group, with one post reading “Let us brace ourselves for the curiosity of our Village history as it makes headlines once again.”
This has led to a divide between visitors and the community. Visitors have made remarks of not feeling welcome in the village, while residents claim they have been disrespecting the village. No matter where you stand, this piece of village history will always be a point of interest across the country. Village board members shared the sentiment, “It just hits differently when it’s close to home.”
Media outlets have been contacting the village office for a response to the series, so the board addressed the need to appoint a media representative to respond on behalf of the village. Village Clerk Emily Schaut was appointed to the role and will be the point of media contact, specifically for this matter.

Schaut read the letter that was written for TMZ, stating, “Just like so many places, Plainfield has dark moments in its’ history. We acknowledge this and have worked diligently to become more than a single story. For those interested in visiting Plainfield, please respect the private property laws associated with the Ed Gein case, as trespassing is enforced. We are confident that our local law enforcement is equipped to handle any public safety concerns, though we do not anticipate any significant problems.
The community is focused on moving forward and providing a safe, welcoming environment for our residents. We do not endorse or want to encourage tourism related to these historical tragedies. While some may be drawn to the shadows of our past, we invite you to discover the full picture of our community throughout the year. For those especially intrigued by the spooky season, we encourage you to bring your families and enjoy a different side of Plainfield during our Haunts and Harvest event on Saturday, Oct. 18. Our town’s identity is rooted in our resilience, not our darkest day. We hope you will join us in celebrating the vibrant community we are today.”
Responses from the village towards this case have been poor in the past, so the village hopes that this will give media outlets the insight they need.
In other news, the board announced that the Plainfield senior meal site will no longer be operational. Due to the lack of participants at this location and funding cuts, ADRC will no longer be serving meals in Plainfield. Seniors who are still interested in the program will now have to travel to either Hancock or Coloma for their closest meal site.
The board went on to approve:
*A contract with First Net, a phone service that offers a separate network for first responders to communicate on in case of a large influx of callers during an emergency.
*The Dog License Resolution – All dog licenses will now be handled by Waushara County.
*Temporary Picnic License for the VFW Waushara Post 6007 for Oct. 18, 2025.
*Class “B” Liquor and Class “B” License for Plainfield Eats and Sweets, LLC.
*Operator’s Licenses for Liza Hellenbrand, Chaz Keeley, Kellie Martin, and Angela Valley.
Plainfield Village Board meetings take place on the first Tuesday of each month, with the next one set for Tuesday, Nov. 4.