South Wood County Historical Museum

South Wood County Historical Museum Preserving local history in South Wood County, including Grand Rapids, Nekoosa, Port Edwards, Rudolph

🎉 School's almost out for summer!Many local students have their last day of school this Thursday—and with a half-day on ...
06/02/2026

🎉 School's almost out for summer!

Many local students have their last day of school this Thursday—and with a half-day on the schedule, it's the perfect opportunity to make a trip to the South Wood County Historical Museum!

🏛️ We are open Tuesday through Thursday from 1:00–4:00 p.m. Explore our exhibits, discover local stories, and step back in time with the whole family.

🗳️ Then join us on Sunday for More Than a Vote: The Continuing Work of the League of Women Voters, a special presentation by the Wisconsin Rapids Area League of Women Voters. Learn about the history of voting rights and the people who worked to expand civic participation in America.

📍 South Wood County Historical Museum
⏰ Exhibits Open: Tuesday–Thursday | 1:00–4:00 p.m.
📅 More Than a Vote Presentation: Sunday | 2:00 p.m.

Start summer break with a little history—we'd love to see you at the museum!

🏫📚 What was kindergarten like 100 years ago?Today, we had the pleasure of welcoming the Howe Elementary Kindergarten cla...
05/29/2026

🏫📚 What was kindergarten like 100 years ago?

Today, we had the pleasure of welcoming the Howe Elementary Kindergarten class to the South Wood County Historical Museum! The students stepped back in time as they visited our historic schoolroom and learned what a typical school day might have been like for children their age a century ago.

From old-fashioned desks and chalkboards to learning about how students traveled to school and followed classroom rules, our young visitors did a wonderful job comparing life then and now. Their curiosity, thoughtful questions, and enthusiasm made for a fun and memorable visit!

Thank you to the students, teachers, and chaperones from Howe Elementary for spending part of your day with us. We hope you enjoyed being history detectives and discovering how much—and how little—school life has changed over the years.

We look forward to seeing you again! 😊

This Memorial Day, we remember and honor those who gave their lives in service to our country.Did you know? Legion Park ...
05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, we remember and honor those who gave their lives in service to our country.

Did you know? Legion Park in Wisconsin Rapids was dedicated on Memorial Day in 1922 to honor local soldiers who lost their lives in World War I. A memorial grove of trees was planted in their memory, and hundreds gathered for ceremonies led by Mayor O.R. Roenius before parading to Forest Hill Cemetery to honor Louis Young, the last local member of the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.).

The park also once featured a government-donated cannon and was home to the first swimming pool in Grand Rapids, filled with water diverted from the Wisconsin River.

Over a century later, Legion Park still stands as a reminder of the sacrifices made by members of our community and the importance of preserving their stories for future generations.

🇺🇸 The South Wood County Historical Museum is OPEN today during Memorial Day Weekend! 🇺🇸As we honor and remember those w...
05/24/2026

🇺🇸 The South Wood County Historical Museum is OPEN today during Memorial Day Weekend! 🇺🇸

As we honor and remember those who served, we invite you to stop by the museum and explore the stories that shaped our community and country.

Current exhibits include:
✨ We Stand on Their Shoulders — our traveling exhibit highlighting the history and impact of women’s civic engagement
🌿 Thinking Big is What We Do - Outdoor display
📜 Local history exhibits and artifacts from South Wood County’s past

The museum is open today from 1–4 PM. Admission is free, and donations are always appreciated.

Take some time this holiday weekend to connect with local history. ❤️🤍💙

☁️ Rainy day plans? We’ve got you covered.With the weather looking a little iffy in the coming days, it’s the perfect ti...
05/17/2026

☁️ Rainy day plans? We’ve got you covered.

With the weather looking a little iffy in the coming days, it’s the perfect time to stop by the South Wood County Historical Museum and explore something new.

Now on display:
✨ We Stand on Their Shoulders: Wisconsin Women and Voting
📻 WFHR exhibit
🏫 The One Room School House
🪵 Local lumber industry history
🎨 Exhibits featuring Wisconsin Rapids native and Disney animator Grim Natwick

There’s something for everyone to discover while spending a cozy afternoon surrounded by local history.

🕐 Open Tuesday–Thursday & Sunday | 1–4 PM

Happy Mother’s Day from the South Wood County Historical Museum 💐Today, we celebrate the mothers, grandmothers, caregive...
05/10/2026

Happy Mother’s Day from the South Wood County Historical Museum 💐

Today, we celebrate the mothers, grandmothers, caregivers, and women whose stories helped shape our communities and our history.

As you spend time with family this Mother’s Day, we invite you to visit the museum and explore our traveling exhibit, We Stand on Their Shoulders: Wisconsin Women and Voting — honoring the women who fought for the right to vote and helped pave the way for future generations.

The museum is OPEN today from 1–4 PM.

Bring Mom and spend an afternoon discovering local history together.

SWCHC Photo Collection:
1987.06.03: Black and white photo of Jennie Maulton, (Mrs. George Maulton), Ruth & Maud

This National Teacher Appreciation Week, take a step back into the classroom of the past at the South Wood County Histor...
05/07/2026

This National Teacher Appreciation Week, take a step back into the classroom of the past at the South Wood County Historical Museum. 🍎📚

Visit our One Room School House exhibit and explore what school life looked like for generations of South Wood County students. From wooden desks and chalkboards to historic classroom artifacts, the exhibit offers a glimpse into a time when one teacher guided every grade in a single room.

As we celebrate teachers this week, we invite you to stop in and experience a piece of local education history for yourself.

The museum is open Tuesday–Thursday and Sundays from 1–4 pm.

SWCHC Photo Identification:
1. One Room Exhibit at SWCHC.
2. (1965-09-02) Black and white photo of a pair of unidentified teachers in a classroom at Irving School.
3. (1975-05-48) Black and white photo of Cranmoor School children, Adeline Koch, teacher.
4. (1975-05-84) Sepia photograph of students at Two Mile School. Raymond Brockman, teacher.

We’re excited to announce that We Stand on Their Shoulders: Wisconsin Women and Voting is now open!This inspiring exhibi...
05/05/2026

We’re excited to announce that We Stand on Their Shoulders: Wisconsin Women and Voting is now open!

This inspiring exhibit highlights the stories, struggles, and achievements of Wisconsin women who helped shape voting rights and civic engagement. It’s a powerful reminder of the voices that paved the way—and the importance of continuing that legacy today.

🗓 On display through June 28
🕐 Open to the public:
• Tuesday–Thursday and Sunday: 1–4 PM

We invite you to stop in, explore, and reflect on this important chapter of history! And as always, stop into one of our many local history exhibits!

05/03/2026

Snippets of the 2026 Spring Tea: Celebrating History and Bloom at the South Wood County Historical Museum!

Address

540 Third Street South
Wisconsin Rapids, WI
54495

Opening Hours

Tuesday 1pm - 4pm
Wednesday 1pm - 4pm
Thursday 1pm - 4pm
Sunday 1pm - 4pm

Telephone

+17154231580

Website

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