Birthplace of the Republican Party Museum

05/20/2026

Hooray! The Little White Schoolhouse opens this Saturday, May 23rd every day from 10-4 until Labor Day.

05/16/2026

Come support the Little White Schoolhouse brat fry today from 9-2pm at Hy-Vee!

05/15/2026

Thank you for helping us keep history shining bright in Ripon! 🇺🇸

A huge thank you to everyone who has already supported the Little White Schoolhouse Flagpole & Lighting Project! Because of your generosity, we have already raised $1,300 toward our $8,000 goal.

This important project will help fund:
-A new permanent flagpole
-Proper lighting for the American flag
-Exterior lighting enhancements for the historic Little White Schoolhouse

Every donation helps preserve and improve this nationally significant landmark for future generations. If you would like to contribute to the project, please contact the Ripon Area Chamber of Commerce or message us directly.

05/13/2026

Support a New Flagpole & Lighting Project at the Little White Schoolhouse, Birthplace of the Republican Party

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The Little White Schoolhouse in Ripon, Wisconsin is undertaking an important improvement project to enhance this nationally significant historic site.

The museum is raising funds to replace the telescoping flagpole. The new flagpole will utilize a more permanent and durable model worthy of the site’s historic importance. As part of the project, dedicated spotlights will also be installed to properly illuminate the American flag 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, in accordance with U.S. flag etiquette standards.

Additional improvements will include installing lighting to illuminate the exterior of the LWSH during evening hours, helping highlight the beauty of this treasured historic landmark. The total cost of the project is approximately $8,000.

We are grateful to announce our first project donor, Ripon Ace Hardware. Special thanks to Luann Marquart for her generous support of this effort.

Community support is essential in helping preserve and improve the Birthplace of the Republican Party for future generations. If you are interested in contributing to this project, please contact the Ripon Chamber of Commerce at 920-748-6764.

Donations may be sent directly to the Little White Schoolhouse or made electronically through our website via Square using the link below. All contributions are tax deductible.

Thank you for helping preserve this important piece of American history.

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Donate Today:
https://lwsh.org/donate

Little White Schoolhouse
P.O. Box 305
Ripon, WI 54971

The Little White Schoolhouse in Ripon, Wisconsin, stands as a national symbol of civic engagement and community action. Designated a National Historic Place, this humble one-room schoolhouse was the birthplace of the Republican Party in 1854 — when Whigs, Democrats, and Free Soilers came together ...

05/08/2026

Edward Dwight Daniels was a geologist, abolitionist, academic and Civil War soldier. He taught at Brockway College and became the first state geologist of Wisconsin in 1853. At the outbreak of the Civil War, Daniels organized the 1st Wisconsin Volunteer Cavalry Regiment in Ripon in 1861, housed briefly on campus.

05/04/2026

The Little White Schoolhouse Museum is open weekends throughout May. We open daily for the summer Memorial Day weekend.

Stop in for a bit of history.

04/27/2026

Spectrum 1 was so pleased with the political history of Ripon they returned to do a piece on Carrie Chapman Catt.

A woman from Wisconsin was one of the cornerstones of the movement. Carrie Chapman Catt was born in Ripon and later moved to Iowa.

04/06/2026

Join us on Monday, April 6th to support the Little White School House during Vines & Rushes Winery’s Cause of the Monday fundraiser.

From 4:00 to 8:00 pm, 25% of all food sales will be donated directly to support the Little White School House. Enjoy a delicious meal while giving back to one of Ripon's most significant historic landmarks. Vines & Rushes Winery is located at 410 County Road E, just 3 miles north of Ripon.

The Little White School House, built in 1853 as a one-room schoolhouse, gained national recognition as the Birthplace of the Republican Party following a historic meeting held there in 1854. Today, the museum is dedicated to preserving this legacy and sharing Ripon’s important role in American history through education and community engagement.

Learn more about the Little White School House and all Ripon has to offer. We hope to see you there!

Ripon Chamber of Commerce
Vines & Rushes Winery
Experience Ripon, WI

04/03/2026

Ripon Public Library's art showcase celebrated local talent, featuring diverse art, community partners and a young artist inspired by Lincoln. See the story for more information and photos.

04/02/2026

Spectrum 1 visited the Little White Schoolhouse Museum as part of their work on the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. Take a look.

In 1854, in what’s known as The Little White School House, a group of people met to organize against the expansion of slavery in the U.S which was the start of the Republican Party.