DeForest Area Historical Society

10/26/2026

Bears aren't the only ones who hibernate for the winter.

The cold weather is coming, so it's time to close up the Hansen-Newell-Bennett House Museum and the DeForest Railroad Depot for 2026.

That means pulling furniture away from the house walls to prevent moisture damage, and also covering everything with cotton sheets for protection from light damage and dust.

Thanks to volunteers Jan, Connie, Mary and Mary, Lana, Carl, Larry, Jane, and Louise for garden, house, and Depot work.

10/25/2026

According to an article in The Cap Times, the Rauls and Treinen family farms (near DeForest) served as hosts for Farm Progress Days in 1986.

This event is now known as Wisconsin Farm Technology Days.

10/25/2026

If you scroll back to our September 29 post, you'll see two cookie recipes from a 1898 recipe book handwritten in Norwegian.

A Facebook friend asked about whose recipe book this was. We checked back and found a name written in the inside cover: Guri Nilsen Bru. Aren't the cursive handwriting and flourish under her name lovely?

Unfortunately, the writing on the cover of the recipe book is very faded and unreadable. Still, this item is a treasure!

10/24/2026

A library staff member recently gave us this note with some kind words from a visitor!

😊

10/23/2026

10/22/2026

Social columns from newspapers of the past are certainly interesting.

Travels and visits, celebrations and misfortunes were all included in the local news of the day.

10/21/2026

10/19/2026

Looking back to 1986 in our area....

10/17/2026

This week was the Wisconsin Historical Society Local History and Historic Preservation Conference held in Milwaukee.

Our president, Louise, represented our Historical Society at the conference. She shared some highlights of the sessions that she attended.

*Lunchtime keynote: "What Makes an Advocate?" with Emma Rudd from the Milwaukee Preservation Alliance

*Chris Connors from the Norskedalen Nature &
Heritage Center a full audience for his breakout session, "Scrappy Exhibit Design to Bolster Your Museum."

*The Resource Center featured materials, displays, projects, and activities shared by historical organizations from across Wisconsin.

Louise said it was a great experience to be with people from around Wisconsin who are interested in local history.

10/15/2026

Farming in the early 1900s in the DeForest Area...