As the days warm up and flowers bloom, we’re excited to share the latest events at the South Wood County Historical Museum. This season, we’re bringing history to life with captivating exhibits that showcase our community's rich heritage alongside fascinating traveling displays! Whether you're a longtime history enthusiast or a first-time visitor, there's something for everyone to enjoy this spring! Continue reading for a reflection on April and a preview of what’s in store for May!
Exhibit Hours at the South Wood County Historical Museum
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from 1-4 p.m.
WoodTrust Bank History
May 13 - August 31 | J. MArshall Buehler Gallery
WoodTrust Bank, originally established as the Wood County National Bank of Grand Rapids, was founded in 1891 by Franklyn J. Wood, the son of Wood County’s founder, Joseph Wood. The bank was awarded a national banking charter in August 1891 and opened its doors for business on November 1, 1891, with $25,000 in capital. Its original leadership included Frank Garrison as president, L. M. Alexander as vice president, and F. J. Wood as cashier. By the end of its first day, deposits had reached $9,952.58.
From its inception, Wood County National Bank quickly became a leading financial institution in the region. The Bank's original location stood where Wisconsin Rapids Veterans Memorial Park is today. In 1910, a new building at the corner of East Grand Avenue and 2nd Street S was constructed and remains the “main” banking office today. Over the years, the building has undergone multiple renovations, enhancing its interior and exterior. The current lobby displays a clock from the original bank building.
In 2006, Wood County National Bank was renamed “WoodTrust Bank." Maintaining its locally owned and operated status since its founding, WoodTrust Bank has served the financial needs of its community for nearly 135 years. Today, it stands as a $625 million institution with seven branch locations across north-central Wisconsin. In addition to offering traditional banking services, WoodTrust is a relationship-driven trust company and investment management firm, overseeing over $6 billion in assets for clients in 35 states.
Since its inception, the bank’s ongoing success and independence have been grounded in customer loyalty, community support, and the dedication of its employees, reaffirming its commitment to providing exceptional financial services.
Click the link below to visit WoodTrust Bank's website!
Traveling Exhibit: Becoming the United States: Colonial America to Reconstruction
May 6 - June 26 | Brazeau Gallery
"Becoming the US" is designed as an introduction to the beginnings of American history and the skills required for primary source analysis. Using items from the Gilder Lehrman Collection, it explores individuals, groups, and documents that have contributed to our identity as a country and encourages visitors to think critically about the first-hand accounts from this era. Bring a friend or grandchild along to learn about early American history!
Sunday, June 1, at 2 pm
Brett Barker Presentation
Professor Barker is the chair of the Department of History and International Studies at UW-Stevens Point! Join us for his presentation on "The Real War Will Never Get in the Books": Recovering the Civil War through Letters and Diaries.
This event is free and open to all ages!
Contributions that enhance our collections
A recent donation of a commemorative rocks cocktail glass from the Rapids Mall opening has further enriched our collection. This glass, once used to honor the mall's grand opening, now serves as a nostalgic artifact, preserving the character of the mall's past. This addition offers the community a tangible connection to its history.
Rapids Mall Grand Opening - August 17, 1978
"Dear Rapids Mall Shoppers... to be!" The merchants of Wisconsin Rapid's first enclosed mall, look forward to serving you during Grand Opening Throughout the Year. Everything for your shopping need is represented in three great department stores: JC Penney, H.C. Prange and Woolco plus more than twenty-three other shops. (Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune - Aug. 19, 1978)
City leaders approved plans for a mall in 1973, but the city's Redevelopment Authority faced significant opposition to those plans. Mayor Donald Penza was quoted as saying, "I'm so enthused about this program that I'll go out on a political limb and say that I'll make this program go."
Penza would later go on to lose the 1978 mayoral race to James Kubisiak. The former mayor then became the general manager of the Rapids Mall.
In January 1977, J.C. Penney and H.C. Prange announced plans to open stores in the Rapids Mall, becoming anchor stores alongside Woolco Department Store, which had separately opened in 1965 but later became part of the mall.
Earlier businesses featured include Winslow's Hallmark, Galaxie of Sound, The Jewelry Hut, and B. Dalton Booksellers, among others.
In the following decades, the number of stores declined, highlighted by J.C. Penney's announcement of its Wisconsin Rapids closure in 2017. That summer, the John E. Alexander South Wood County YMCA teamed up with the Boys & Girls Club of Wisconsin Rapids Area to express their plan to buy the Rapids Mall. Construction started in August 2018 and was completed by June 1, 2020.
Do you have photographs, videos, or objects related to the Rapids Mall? Please stop by, call, or email us to help expand our collections!
Call at 715-423-1580 or email Museum Curator Alison Bruener at Alison@southwoodcountyhistory.org
Lynn Urban Presentation on Laura Ingalls Wilder
Sunday, April 27th
What a fantastic event celebrating Laura Ingalls! 🌾📖
A huge thank you to everyone who joined us—and a special shoutout to our fantastic presenter, Lynn Urban, for bringing Laura’s world to life so beautifully.
Your presence made it truly special. From the young to the young at heart, it was a wonderful gathering to learn about our pioneering past!
Volunteer SPOTLIGHT
Phil Brown & Meg Daly
Phil Brown, Vice President, and Meg Daly, a member of the Board of Directors, recently led a second-grade class on an educational tour of the South Wood County Historical Museum. This museum visit aimed to introduce young students to the early history of the area, along with a tour of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Display and a reading of "Going West. " The museum's exhibits, such as the one-room schoolhouse and displays on lumbering, train depots, and early local industries, offer a glimpse into the region's past. By engaging with these artifacts and stories, students gained a deeper understanding of how their community has evolved. Phil and Meg's involvement showcases the museum's commitment to outreach and preserving local history for future generations.
If you are interested in becoming a docent or volunteer, give us a call at 715-423-1580 or email Museum Curator Alison Bruener at Alison@southwoodcountyhistory.org
Wood County Master Gardeners
On April 12th, the Wood County Master Gardeners held a gathering at the South Wood County Historical Museum to kick off their season and begin preparations for their 22nd Annual Garden Walk! Click the link below to learn about the event and how you can get involved with their organization!