Wittenberg Area Historical Society & Museum

10/16/2026

Learning and touring at the Historical Conference

10/12/2026

We have raised the temperature! Thanks to loyal donors, a fundraiser, and grants we have HEAT! Next up front windows, electrical and insulation! You can make a donation right here using the QR code!

10/12/2026

Here is the Heritage Center circa 1912. The forward right rubble is remains of a fire. That area is now a parking lot. The white building on left was raised, and is now part of the WOW Art park.

10/11/2026

Heins Brothers Dry Goods is now WOW Space, Bakery & Restaurant was raised and now is the Art park, the next building is the Heritage Center. Year unknown, but this photo pre-dates the one showing IGA on the corner.

10/11/2026

IGA is now WOWSPACE. The white building is gone and is currently the Art park. The next building is the Heritage Center!

10/10/2026

NEXT FUNDRAISER Trivia Thursday November 5. Message us here to register OR call 715-881-0467.

10/10/2026

Came upon this vintage post card.....

10/08/2026

A bit of past Wisconsin history.

October 8, 1871, marks 155 years since the deadliest forest fire in U.S. history tore through Peshtigo, Wisconsin. 🔥

After a summer and autumn of little rainfall, Wisconsin’s forests were dangerously dry. When fire ignited, fierce winds quickly spread the flames through Peshtigo and across surrounding counties. In all, an estimated 280,000 acres burned across eight counties: Oconto, Marinette, Shawano, Brown, Kewaunee, Door, Manitowoc and Outagamie.

About 1,500 people lost their lives, 7,500 were left homeless, and the town of Peshtigo was nearly wiped out.

The fire occurred on the same night as the more widely remembered Great Chicago Fire, but the Peshtigo Fire remains the deadliest and most destructive forest fire in U.S. history.

Today, the Peshtigo Fire Museum, a Wisconsin Historical Society affiliate, helps preserve the story of this tragedy through exhibits, archives and educational programs. The Peshtigo Fire Cemetery also serves as a place of remembrance. Its memorial marker, placed by Peshtigo residents in 1951, was Wisconsin’s first official state historical marker.

📸: Map depicting the burned over area created by the fire on October 8, 1871. Map includes inset of Wisconsin and surrounding states with detail of area impacted by fire. | W013LRI