Historical Museum Guide for Wisconsin

Wisconsin History Museums

Madeline Island Historical Museum  [Madeline Island Ferry]

Take Madeline Island Ferry to the island from Bayfield to explore the history of this lovely island.

Chetek Area Calhoun Museum

Operated by the Chetek Area Historical Society, the museum is devoted to the promotion and interpretation of the history of the greater Chetek area of northern Wisconsin.  The museum features Native American exhibits, lumber trade exhibits, history of the tourist industries and manufacturing industries along with Chetek's residents involvement in the U. S. Military.  Located at 120 Knapp Street in Chetek, WI.

Pioneer Village Museum  [Photos and Map Tour]

A delightful village to ramble through, containing over 40 buildings including 5 historic log cabins.  Stroll down Pioneer Street and learn what life was like in the "olden days".

Neville's Museum of History, Art and Science.

Fort Folle Avoine Historical Park   [Indian Village]

Experience living history on this historic site next to an authentic Woodland Indian Village, where fur trading posts operated from 1802-1805.  Located on County Road U between Danbury and Webster.

Grantsburg Area Historical Society and Museum

Housed in a late 1800s Methodist Church, the museum offers exhibits relating to the history of the area along with a genealogy library which contains local records.  An old 1870 jail house and the 1800 Stenborg House are part of the property.

Operated by the Clark County Historical Society, the museum features the jail along with the beautiful sheriff's residence housed inside the same building.  A large military exhibit is found on the third floor.  Located at 215 E. 5th Street in Neillsville, WI.

Branstiter Museum

Visitors can take a step back in time to the early 1900s in Greenwood, Wisconsin.  Wooden sidewalks take them past 17 early storefronts in Greenwood.  Exhibits include early artifacts, tools, dairy farm implements, and photographs.  Located at 600 S. Main Street in Greenwood, WI.

Tufts Museum

The lovely 1885 Tuft's Mansion still contains the original plate glass windows.  Partially restored, the mansion is opened for tours seasonally and is available for rentals.  Located at 26 Hewett Street in Neillsville, WI.

Indian Agency House

Built by the United States Government in 1832, the historic Indian Agency House was created for the Indian Agent to the Ho-Chunk Nation (Winnebago Indian).  The house has been furnished with American antiques.  It is owned and operated by The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in the State of Wisconsin.  Located on Agency Road just 1 mile east of downtown Portage, WI.

Wisconsin Dells   [History]

A lovely place to visit.  The boat tours are great and the rock formations and cliffs are incredible.  It is easy to imagine Indians standing lookout on these cliffs in the long ago past.

Sun Prairie Historical Museum  [Sun Prairie Death List]

Sun Prairie's heritage comes alive.  Walking tours and presentations are offered.  Located at 115  East Main Street in downtown Sun Prairie, WI.

Wisconsin Historical Museum

Explore the rich history of Wisconsin in this major history museum located at 30 N. Carroll Street, Madison, WI on the square.

Wisconsin Veterans Museum

Learn about the military history of Wisconsin state.  A research center is on the premises and offers online assistance.  Address: 30 W. Mifflin St., Madison, WI.

Dodge County Historical Museum  [Famous People from Beaver Dam]

Dedicated to the preservation of Dodge County history, the museum relates the early history of Beaver Dam long with exhibits of what life was like in the Pioneer days.

John Hustis House Museum

Built in 1851 by John Hustis (founder of Hustisford), the home today is filled with antiques and artifacts related to the history of the early settlement of Hustisford, WI.

Located at 134 North Ridge Street in Hustisford, WI.

Mayville Limestone School Museum  [History]

Construction of this building was started in 1857 and was used as a public school for 125 years.  Today it houses a museum devoted to the history of this school and Marysville.  Located at the corner of North Main & Buchanan Streets in Maryville, WI.

Waupun Heritage Museum   [Family Genealogies Held]
22 South Madison Street, Waupun, 53963
Phone: (920) 324-7931

Door County Maritime Museum

Learn about the nautical history of Door County, WI.  Visitors will see exhibits about ships and lighthouses along with many exhibits about Pirates in Wisconsin.

Historical Downtown Menomonie

Louis Smith Tainter House

This beautiful three story 1890 mansion was built of sandstone by Captain Andrew Tainter as a wedding gift for his son Louis and wife Effie.  Today it houses the Stout Alumni Association and the Stout University Foundation.  Located at Broadway and Crescent in Menomonie, WI.

Russell J. Rassbach Heritage Museum

The museum offers the story of the Chippewa Valley and it's people through early artifacts, exhibits and interpretation.  Admission includes a tour of the 1866 Anderson log house and Sunnyview School.  Located in beautiful Carson Park at Eau Claire, WI.

Step back in time to the days of the Wisconsin logging camps.  Climb aboard the Lumberjack Steam Train, a vintage steam train which will take you to the museum and blacksmith shop where you will learn about the labor intensive logging camps.  The train takes you to the site of an old logging camp known as Camp 5.  The museum is brimming with historical artifacts and lumberjack tools.  The train depot is located 1/4 miles West of Highways 8 & 32 on Highway 8 in Laona, WI.

Fennimore Railroad Historical Society Museum

Home to "The Dinky", a 15 gauge steam locomotive, the museum is modeled to represent a turn-of-the-century railroad depot.  Located at 610 Lincoln Avenue in Fennimore, WI.

The Mining Museum

Learn about the importance of mining in the history of Platteville through exhibits and artifacts.  Visitors are offered an underground tour of the 1845 Bevans Lead Mine.  The museum is open seasonally - Spring through Fall.  Located next door to the Rollo Jamison Museum at 405 E. Main Street in Plateville, WI.

Rollo Jamison Museum

The collections in this museum began with the collection of arrowheads begun by Rollo Jamison in 1899.  The collection has grown to include many historical artifacts related to the early history of Platteville and the surrounding area.  Located at 405 E. Main Street in Platteville, WI.

Hoard Historical Museum

Reopening in October 2007, the museum features historical information about the 1832 Black Hawk War, exhibits about dairy farming and exhibits related to the history of this area of Wisconsin.  Location is 401 Whitewater Avenue at Fort Atkinson, WI.

Kenosha History Center

The campus of the Kenosha County Historical Society features an 1866 Light Station and the 1917 Kenosha Water Utility pumping station.  The museum offers historical artifacts and items related to the early history of the people and businesses in Kenosha, WI.  Located at 220 51st Place in Kenosha, WI.

Badger Mine and Museum

The museum features artifacts related to the history of Shullsburg and the impact of the mining industry on the area. The tour includes a real lead mine from the past.  Located at 279 W. Estey Street in Shullsburg, WI.

Wisconsin's First Capitol Historic Site

Located on County Highway G in Belmont, WI.

Shullsburg Water Street District

Langlade County Historical Museum  [Virtual Tour]

Housed inside the 1905 Antigo Library building, the museum features logging and Indian artifacts along with agricultural and lumbering implements and tools.  A large collection of photos and scenes of early Langlade County and Antigo are held by the archives.  Located at 404 Superior Street in Antigo, WI.

Merrill Historical Brickyard School Museum

Manitiwoc County Heritage Center and Museum

Pinecrest Historical Village

Wisconsin Martime Museum

Learn about the maritime history of Wisconsin and the Great Lakes area.  Exhibits include the USS Cobia, a WWII Submarine.  Visit at 75 Maritime Drive in Manitowoc, WI.

Home to the research library and archives of the Marathon County Historical Society along with an educational exhibit area, the home was built in 1914 and is known today as the Woodson History Center.  Located at 410 McIndoe Street in Wausau, WI.

Yawkey House Museum

The beautiful Classical Revival style house was built in 1900 as a home for the Cyrus Yawkey family.  Operated by and home to the Marathon County Historical Society, the lower level is open for tours.  The home is surrounded by formal gardens.  Located at 403 McIndoe Street in Wausau, WI.  Also see the Downtown Wausau Walking Tour.

Marinette Co. Historical Society and Logging Museum

Preserving and promoting the history of the Marinette County area of Wisconsin.  Exhibits include Native American artifacts, the Evancheck log cabin, logging history, pioneer farm implements, tools and items for daily life of early inhabitants of Marinette County.   Located on Stephenson Island near downtown Marinette, WI.

Marinette Downtown Walking Tour

Featuring the largest collection of logging artifacts in the world, there are seven log buildings to explore in this reproduction and restoration of a base logging camp typical of those found in the lake states between 1860 and 1910.  Located just off State Highway 47 on County Highway VV West, just north of Keshena, WI.

Kilbourntown House

This beautiful Greek Revival styled house was built in 1844 by Benjamin Church.  The original location was in Milwaukee but it was moved to Estabrook Park in 1938.  Tours are offered.  Located on Estabrook Drive inside Estabrook Park in Shorewood, WI.

Milwaukee County Historical Society  - Historic Center

Housed inside a 1913 neoclassical revival style building which was originally built for the Second Ward Savings Bank, the museum features historical items and artifacts related to the history of Milwaukee.  Located at 910 N. Old World 3rd Street in Milwaukee, WI.

Milwaukee Historic Homes

Milwaukee Public Museum

The museum features many varied collections among which is the "Streets of Old Milwaukee", a walk-through replica of a 19th century street scene in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  Also featured are exhibits related to the history and lives of Wisconsin Indian tribes.  Located at 800 W. Wells Street in Milwaukee, WI.

The Pabst Mansion   [Photo Tour]

Wisconsin Black Historical Society & Museum

Devoted to the preservation of African American history from Ancient Egypt to Modern Milwaukee.  Located at 2620 W. Center Street in Milwaukee, WI.

Cranberry Discovery Center - History of cranberry production.

Housed in the historic Union Cranberry Warehouse, visitors to the center will learn about the cranberry industry in Wisconsin.  Located at 204 Main Street in Downtown Warrens, WI.

Copper Culture State Park and Museum

Grignon Mansion

Erected in 1837 by Charles A. Grignon, the stately home was once known as "The Mansion in the Woods".  Today, tours are led by costumed guides through rooms furnished in period style.  The home even offers an  historic apple orchard.  Located at 1313 Augustine Street in Kaukauna, WI.

Hearthstone - Illuminating our heritage

The History Museum at the Castle

Featuring an exhibit about the life and times of Harry Houdini, the museum offers records, photographs and documents related to the history of Outagamie County.  Location is 330 E. College Avenue in Appleton, WI.

Pioneer Village

Visitors will take a step back in time in this rural village which is comprised of a collection of over 20 historical buildings and structures from the 1840s through the early 1900s.  Historic buildings include the Cedarburg Railroad Depot, fully furnished homes, barns and more.  A research archives is available for researchers.  Operated by the Ozaukee County Historical Society, the village is located at 4880 County Hwy I in Saukville, WI.

Port Washington Historic Tours

Port Washington Lighthouse Museum

Beth Israel Congregation, Stevens Point

Constructed in 1905, it served as the house of worship for the Jewish Community of Stevens Point.  Today it houses an exhibit about the Stevens Point Jewish history and religious practices.  The synagogue is located at 1475 Water Street in Stevens Point, WI.

Heritage Park

A collection of historical buildings including the Plover Methodist Church and the Franklin / Calkins House.  The park is focused on the history of community life in Plover, WI.  Located between Madison Street and Washington Street in Plover, Wisconsin.

Rising Star Mill, Nelsonville

Built in 1868, the Rising Star Flouring Mill operated in varying capacities until 1984.  Today the mill is operated by the Portage County Historical Society and hosts music concerts, art shows and other special events throughout the year.  Available for rental.  Located in Nelsonville, WI.

Rosholt Pioneer Museum

The museum is comprised of a one-room schoolhouse, a granary, a sawmill and two log cabins which are located on the Rosholt Fairgrounds.  Featuring historical artifacts and items used by early pioneers of the Portage County area, the museum is focused on the pioneer household, farms and logging industry.

Burlington Historical Society and Museum

Milton House Historic Museum

This National Historical Landmark was erected in 1844 and is known as the oldest poured concrete structure in the U.S.  Built of local grout, the house is hexagonal and has been restored by the Milton Historical Society.  Located at 18 S. Janesville Street in Milton, WI.

Rusk County Historical Society Museum  [includes photos]

Jacob Van Orden Mansion

Sauk County Historical Museum

Sawyer County Historical Society and Museum

[Mohican History]

The museum features a large collection of both cultural and historical artifacts of the Mohican Nation, Stockbridge-Munsee Band and houses the public records for the Tribe.  Along with the museum and research library, there is a shop where Indian arts and crafts may be purchased.  Located at N8510 Moh-He-Con-Nuck Road in Bowler, WI.

The Millhouse  [Research Center]  [Tours]

Sheboygan County Historical Museum

This complex of historical structures includes the 1864 Weinbold Home, an 1890s barn, the 1867 Bodenstab Cheese Factory.  Exhibits includes historical artifacts, an early days classroom, a circus exhibit, Indian relics and more.  Located at 3110 Erie Avenue in Sheboygan, WI.

Featuring a collection of historic buildings in a lovely park setting, visitors will find an 1887 log cabin, 1891 church, a log blacksmith shop, the 1902 Camp 9 School and others. 

1100 Heritage Drive

New Richmond, WI.

Lake Superior Railroad Museum

Housed inside the St. Louis County Heritage Depot, the museum features many local history items and information about railroading in Minnesota.  Located inside the same building is the St. Louis County Historical Society which offers many artifacts and information about the history of St. Louis County.  Located at 506 W. Michigan Street in Duluth, MN.

Vernon County Historical Museum 

Housed in the 1918 Vernon County Normal School, the museum features exhibits and artifacts which tell the story of earlier times in Vernon County.  The first floor boasts a genealogy room which includes research materials for those who are researching their family history.  Located at 410 S. Center Avenue in Viroqua, WI.

Vilas County Historical Museum  [Tour]

Waukesha County Historical Society & Museum  [Exhibits]

The old Washington County courthouse was erected in 1889 in the Romanesque Revival style and was used until 1962.  Today it is used as a museum by the Washington County Historical Society for the preservation and display of the history of Washington County, WI.

Old Jailhouse Museum

Saxiona House

Built in 1855, the house is located on County Highway H, in Farmington, WI.  It is currently being restored.

St. Agnes Convent

Black Point Estate  [Photos]

This beautiful 1888 Queen Anne Victorian mansion was owned by the beer baron, Conrad Seipp, whose family occupied it for four generations.  Visitors will receive a 45 minute docent escorted tour of the mansion bringing history alive.  Located on the shore of Lake Geneva in Wisconsin, tours arrive daily by boat May through October.

Old World Wisconsin

[Interactive Map]

A place to relive the "Spirit of America's Heartland".

Take a step back in time to the late 19th century of Wisconsin when many immigrants were building a better life in a new place.  Experience living history on historic farms, at the one-room schoolhouse and see 1870s craftsmen and artisans creating their old world crafts in this village focused on the early immigration and settlement of the Germans, Fins, Danes and African Americans to Wisconsin.  Located 1 1/2 miles south of Eagle on Highway 67 in Waukesha County, WI.

Waukesha County Museum

Operated by the Waukesha County Historical Society and located in the former county offices of the 1893 courthouse building, this museum focuses on regional history and occasionally brings in featured exhibits on other subjects.  Located at 101 W. Main STreet in Waukesha, WI.

Waushara County Historical Society Museum

Housed in the old Waushara County Jail, the museum is open on Wednesday afternoons.  The museum has a genealogy department with obits, court cases, photos, school records, and newspapers.  They try to help everyone searching for ancestry in the county.  Located at 212 S. St. Marie Street in Wautoma, WI.

secretary - Lori McCloud
president - Marvin Wagner

contact: wausharamuseum@yahoo.com

Wild Rose Pioneer Museum   [History and Photos]

Operated by the Wild Rose Historical Society, the museum offers a glimpse of the past heritage of Wild Rose, Wisconsin.  Focused on the early immigrants from Wales, Norway and England, who built the town.  Located on State Hwy 22 in Wild Rose, WI.

South Wood County Historical Museum

[Virtual Tour]   [History]

Housed in an 1907 Home, the South Wood Co. Historical Society offers exhibits relating to the history of the area along with a collection of research materials.  Located at 540 Third Street in Wisconsin Rapids, WI.

Museum Index for Other States

Wisconsin Census Records