From the Curator’s Desk
June is shaping up to be a busy and exciting month at the South Wood County Historical Museum! Visitors can still experience our traditional local historical exhibits while taking in our traveling and outdoor displays! We are also looking forward to welcoming representatives from the League of Women Voters - Wisconsin Rapids Area on Sunday, June 7, for a special presentation connected to the traveling exhibit. Later in the month, we invite everyone to stop by our annual Ice Cream Social during the Cranberry Blossom Festival. This month also means a new issue of "Artifacts" will be hitting members' mailboxes soon! Interested in receiving a copy? Sign up for a membership below, or stop in person to purchase individual copies! And for those who like both gardens and our museum... we have an exciting volunteer opportunity for you! Read on to learn more! Thank you for continuing to support and celebrate local history with us. Enjoy the start of summer!
Featured Exhibits
We Stand on Their Shoulders: Wisconsin Women and Voting
There is still time to visit 'We Stand on Their Shoulders: Wisconsin Women and Voting', the traveling exhibit exploring the history of women’s suffrage and civic engagement throughout Wisconsin. Through photographs, stories, and historical artifacts, the exhibit highlights the perseverance and advocacy of women who worked to expand voting rights and public participation.
Thinking Big is What We Do
'Thinking Big is What We do', an outdoor traveling exhibit from the Wisconsin Historical Society, is now on display on our grounds through July 31. As part of the History Makers Tour, this exhibit features a series of ten larger-than-life "tall-tale postcards" that celebrate Wisconsin's spirit of creativity, innovation, and bold thinking. Enjoy the display as the gardens surrounding the Museum come into glorious bloom!
Upcoming Exhibit Change
Due to unforeseen circumstances, the planned exhibit 'Of Thee I Sing' will no longer be on display this season. Instead, we are pleased to announce that the museum will host 'Immigration: An American Story.'
The United States is often described as “a nation of immigrants,” but the history of immigration is far more complex. Through documents, maps, and images, Immigration explores the stories of people who came to America — some forcibly, others in search of opportunity and a better life — while examining how each wave of immigration shaped public attitudes, policies, and the nation itself.
The traveling display will be open to the public July 2-August 24!
Calling Volunteer and Garden Enthusiasts!
On June 5–6 at 9 a.m., the Wood County Volunteer Master Gardeners will lead landscaping efforts around the museum’s ramp entrance!
We are currently seeking additional volunteers to help dig, plant, and mulch this new space as we continue to improve the museum grounds and accessibility.
If you are interested in lending a hand, we would greatly appreciate it! Bring your gardening tools and a friend!
Upcoming Program
League of Women Voters Presentation — June 7
Join us for a special presentation connected to our traveling exhibit, 'We Stand on Their Shoulders: Wisconsin Women and Voting'.
Brigitte Musallam, Mary Dahm, and Diana Planer of the League of Women Voters – Wisconsin Rapids Area will discuss the organization’s history, its role in civic engagement and voting rights, and the work the League continues to do in our communities today, followed by Q&A.
Ice Cream Social
Be sure to include the museum in your Cranberry Blossom Festival plans! During the festival, we invite the community to join us for our annual Ice Cream Social. Stop in for a sweet treat, explore the museum exhibits, and enjoy a relaxing visit as you celebrate one of our community’s favorite traditions. To see what other events are taking place during the Festival, click the link below!
Membership & Artifacts
SWCHC members should be watching their mailboxes for the June edition of Artifacts, arriving soon! Each issue features stories, photographs, and updates related to South Wood County history and the museum's work.
Interested in becoming a member? Memberships may be purchased online by clicking the link below or in person at the museum! Your membership directly supports preservation efforts, educational programming, and future exhibits at the South Wood County Historical Museum
Supporting Your Local History
The South Wood County Historical Corporation and Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and receives no operating funding from the city, county, state, or federal governments. Every exhibit, preservation project, and educational program is made possible through private support. Donations allow us to preserve artifacts, photographs, and stories that define South Wood County’s heritage. As we look toward the future, we are seeking large gifts, endowments, and legacy or planned giving commitments to help ensure the long-term sustainability of the museum and the permanent care of our collections. If you are interested in learning more about supporting the museum through a significant gift or planned giving, we invite you to contact us for additional information. An investment in the museum is an investment in our community’s history—today and for generations to come.
To make a general donation today, click the link below!
We are pleased to share that the South Wood County Historical Corporation is now available on Benevity. This enables donors and employees at participating companies to easily support our mission to preserve and share South Wood County's history. Click the link below to learn more!
Did you know?
What started as "National Milk Month" in 1937 expanded to "June Dairy Month" by 1939 to celebrate all dairy products! Photo: Fischer's Dairy delivery
SWCHC Collection