Bayfield Heritage Association

05/08/2026

🚂✨All aboard!!!✨🚂
Come see us tomorrow 1-4pm at BHA! 30 North Broad Street in Bayfield!

05/05/2026

🚂🛤️✨ Join us on Saturday, May 9 @ 1-4PM at BHA for a National Train Day Open House! ✨🛤️🚂

Celebrate National Train Day at the Bayfield Heritage Association, marking the 1869 anniversary of the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad. Learn about Bayfield's rail history with our running model train display, enjoy a family-friendly scavenger hunt, and explore the exhibit at your own pace. Light refreshments will be available, making this a fun and welcoming event for train enthusiasts of all ages.

05/02/2026

Great find! 1903 and the area in a nutshell! 📜✨

04/25/2026

Last day to vote! Thank you to all and thank you Old National for supporting your local nonprofits.💫

Old National Bank launched their Choose Your Charity campaign where BHA can be nominated to win up to $27,500. Vote daily now through April 25 - you can vote once each day. Thank you Old National Bank for your dedication and support in Wisconsin. With a region chock-full of nonprofits, every vote counts! 🎉✨
Vote here: oldnational.com/cyc

04/21/2026

💐 Join us for our next program: Women of the Apostle Islands 💐

Sunday, May 17 @ 2PM at BHA

The history of the Apostle Islands is full of unforgettable women. Some were Ojibwe storytellers, some watched over lighthouse beacons alongside their husbands, others raised families at the islands’ fishing camps and stone quarries. Their strength, skill, and determination were an essential part of the islands’ past. This program will share stories of these women’s lives: stories of resilience and courage that were overlooked for too long and need to be told.

The Bayfield Heritage Association’s John Matthew Black Program Series is sponsored by the Apostle Islands Historic Preservation Conservancy.

04/21/2026

Nellie Tate's diaries offer rare and intimate glimpses into the experiences, hopes, and challenges in Bayfield's late 19th century. As we acknowledge 150 years since her 1876 diary, her words continue to connect us to the past and our regional area's everyday life. ✨🖋️

Looks like there still seemed to be a lot of ice on the water 150 years ago today, with some unfortunate results...

Saturday April 15 1876
Still cold and cloudy, Worked as usual. Went over to Mrs McClouds for a while, had a quiet evening practicing and reading.

Sunday April 16 1876
Cold and windy. Read, went to Sabbath school, After dinner wrote a letter and went and mailed it. Called at Mrs H’s for a short time. Pat & Matie (?) came home with me. Rob (RD Pike) was in and talked a few minutes.

Monday April 17 1876
Cleared of pleasant. Worked and sewed as usual. Matie was in practiced some and helped Lillian.

Tuesday April 18 1876
A beautiful spring day, snow nearly gone. Worked & sewed. Called at Mrs Knights then went up & sat a while with Mrs H, Matie & Pat were in for a while in the eve.

Wednesday April 19 1876
A lovely spring day, worked all the morning, Lillian went out to the sugar bush & Rob went to Ashland. Mrs Cruttendon & Carringinton called, began raining just at dusk. Rob came in late for tea.

Thursday April 20 1876
Rained all night, but cleared off very pleasant about noon. Mr Vaughn (?) came from Ashland, ice very poor., a team was drowned this afternoon. Went up to Mrs H's in the eve. Mr V came home with us & spent the night. Wrote a letter to Georgie.

04/19/2026

Greunke's lawn will be seeing a little more sunshine this summer. What a storm! 🌬️💥

04/18/2026

Old National Bank launched their Choose Your Charity campaign where BHA can be nominated to win up to $27,500. Vote daily now through April 25 - you can vote once each day. Thank you Old National Bank for your dedication and support in Wisconsin. With a region chock-full of nonprofits, every vote counts! 🎉✨
Vote here: oldnational.com/cyc

04/17/2026

We are saddened to hear of the passing of Alan Apel. Alan's impact which has helped shape our community through his presence, stories, and connections will be felt for years to come. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Memorial details here:

Alan C. Appel, age 75, passed away, Monday, April 13, 2026 at Tamarack Health- Ashland Medical Center. He was born February 26, 1951 in Indianapolis, IN, the son of Alan and Lucile Scaf Appel. A funeral service is tentatively set for 1200 noon, Saturday, April 25, 2026 at the Bratley

04/13/2026

Happy birthday! Great time to announce our next RD Pike program: Unearthing Captain R.D. Pike: New Research, New Stories, July 22 @ 7pm.

Drawing from newly uncovered research and a book currently in progress, this program offers a deeper look at Pike’s life, legacy, and family than ever before.