What are the opening hours?

Monday 12pm - 4pm Tuesday 12pm - 4pm Wednesday 12pm - 4pm Thursday 12pm - 4pm Friday 12pm - 4pm Saturday 12pm - 4pm Sunday 12pm - 4pm

Oconto County Historical Society

Home
United States
Oconto, WI
Oconto County Historical Society

Call Directions Website Contact the museum

The Oconto County Historical Society is based in Oconto, Wisconsin, USA.

The Society maintains two museums in Oconto: the Beyer Home & Carriage Museum and the Copper Culture Museum; and also the Holt & Balcom Logging Camp Museum in Lakewood, Wisconsin. OCHS maintains four buildings:

1) The historic Beyer Home Museum, a restored and completely refurbished 1890s northern mansion.
2) The George E. Hall Annex which contains permanent and temporary exhibits, research files, photos and artifacts in storage.
3) A 1870s log house which has been moved to the museum site and restored.
4) An urban barn located directly behind the Beyer Home, currently used to house the many antique vehicles. OCHS also assists with the administration of Copper Culture State Park located in Oconto and Holt & Balcom Logging Camp located in Lakewood.

10/26/2026

Wisconsin’s waterways have stories to tell. Some were carved from a single tree.
Explore the history of dugout canoes with Dr. Sissel Schroeder at the Oconto County Historical Society’s November Speaker Series. Learn how these boats were crafted and how today’s technology is helping researchers understand them.

From Wood to Watercraft: Dugout Canoes of Wisconsin

November 5, 2026 • 6:30 p.m.
Beyer Home and Carriage Museum
915 Park Avenue, Oconto

Free and open to the public. Light refreshments served.

10/25/2026

Don't forget to stop for some treats at the Beyer Home Museum during Trick-or-Treat hours this Halloween! We would love to see all your costumes!

10/21/2026

The Copper Culture Museum and the Oconto County Historical Society recently sponsored Ancient Artifact Day which was held at the Copper Culture State Park on Saturday, October 10th. Guests were encouraged to bring their collections for others to review and discuss functions. Many unique pieces were shared, but one highlight was an arrowhead dating back over 10,000 years ago. Thank you to Peter Stark and Carol Mertens for organizing this free event.

10/20/2026

The Oconto County Historical Society wants to give the biggest heartfelt thanks to Thompson’s County Market Round Up Program and all its patrons near and far for supporting our non-profit group! As you can see, we were gifted an incredible $2,784.97!!! We also can’t forget to thank Brian Cooper for organizing this valuable program and Teresa Bake for enrolling our group!

Pictured below: Caroline Laurin-Young (OCHS Board member), Adam Orth (OCHS Treasurer ), Justin Lemire (Thompson’s Representative), Al Stranz (OCHS Board President), Rebecca Duvall (Thompson’s Representative)

10/20/2026

What can a canoe tell us about Wisconsin’s past? More than you might think.

From the trees chosen to the tools used, dugout canoes hold clues about the people who crafted them. Dr. Sissel Schroeder will share how researchers are using new technology to better understand these remarkable watercraft.

From Wood to Watercraft: Dugout Canoes of Wisconsin
Thursday, November 5, 2026, • 6:30 p.m.
Beyer Home and Carriage Museum
915 Park Avenue, Oconto

An evening of Wisconsin history, right here at home. Free admission and light refreshments.

10/17/2026

I recently learned something about the *Find A Grave* website that I never knew, even after doing historical and cemetery research here for years. *Find A Grave* has a huge network of volunteers who will go out to local cemeteries, locate a specific grave, and take a photograph for you if you live too far away to visit it yourself.

So, if you are trying to track down cemetery images and information about a person, that's not already available on their website, and you can't travel to a distant cemetery or even one that's close, you can submit a photo request on their site, and a local volunteer will be sought to step in and help you.

In the same way, the organization is always looking for local volunteers who are willing to take pictures for others. That sounds like kind of a fun and interesting way to help somebody else, doesn't it? (At least to some of us)!

You can check out how the service works or request a photo yourself at Find A Grave: https://support.findagrave.com/hc/en-us/articles/53933342930579-Photo-Request-Basics

We welcome your comments and questions below!

-Pete Gabrielson, OCHS Board Member

10/16/2026

Before outboard motors and boat launches, there was a tree and the skill to turn it into a canoe.

Discover the craftsmanship and history behind Wisconsin’s dugout canoes during From Wood to Watercraft, presented by Dr. Sissel Schroeder. Learn what researchers are uncovering about these watercraft, including examples like the Oconto County Historical Society’s own dugout canoe.

Thursday, November 5, 2026, • 6:30 p.m.
Beyer Home and Carriage Museum
915 Park Avenue, Oconto

Free and open to the public. Light refreshments served.

10/12/2026

It was another great crowd for our October speaker series featuring Oconto's own, Jim Draeger. The attentive audience learned about tavern and brewing history in Wisconsin while enjoying some light refreshments.

The monthly speakers series is a FREE event held on the first Thursday of the month at 6:30 in the Oconto Beyer Home & Carriage House. We hope to see you on November 5!

10/01/2026

Tonight, Wisconsin history is on tap!

Join us at 6:30 p.m. as Oconto native and author Jim Draeger presents “Bottoms Up: A Toast to Wisconsin’s Historic Bars and Restaurants.” Hear the stories behind Wisconsin’s taverns, breweries and a special piece of Oconto history.

Beyer Home & Carriage Museum
915 Park Avenue, Oconto

The program is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.

Address

915 Park Avenue, PO Box 272
Oconto, WI
54153

Opening Hours

Monday	12pm - 4pm
Tuesday	12pm - 4pm
Wednesday	12pm - 4pm
Thursday	12pm - 4pm
Friday	12pm - 4pm
Saturday	12pm - 4pm
Sunday	12pm - 4pm

Telephone

+19208346206

Website

http://www.ocontohistory.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Oconto County Historical Society posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.