Explore the History of Portage County Wisconsin
Use this website to learn more about our history. The Society currently operates four museums; publishes local history books; maintains a large archives housed at the University of Wisconsin -- Stevens Point's Archive Center; is developing its own research center at Heritage Park and maintains the Malcolm Rosholt Online Archives on this website to "disseminate knowledge of the history of Portage County, Wisconsin".
Membership in the Society is open to everyone. (Membership pdf.)
Museums
Our four Museums offer a look at Portage County history from the 1850's to the present.
Beth Israel Synagogue offers a unique view of the large Jewish Community that once lived in Stevens Point. (Synagogue Brochure pdf.)
Historic Fire House No.2 is the oldest municipal building still extant in Stevens Point. (Fire House Brochure pdf.)
Rising Star Mill located in Nelsonville provides cultural and entertainment venues. (Rising Star Mill Brochure pdf.)
Heritage Park located in Plover currently offers 10 buildings and a GB&W Caboose. Visit this park to see a sample of life as it was from ca. 1850 to ca. 1900. (Heritage Park Brochure pdf.)
Research
Malcolm Rosholt Online Archives: Our extensive Online Archives consists of hundreds of articles about the people, places, and historic events of Portage County. Use our "Search" to assist in locating information in our extensive Archives.
Heritage Park Archives: This Archives was opened in 2008 to accommodate our growing collections. It houses audio, video, books and other material of interest.
Railroad History: The Society's close association with the Central Wisconsin Model Railroaders, Ltd. has led to the accumulation of a large collection of railroad material. (see Bancroft Depot & Caboose) Link to our Railroad History specific area is located under "Research" menu item.
Outside The Lines: Articles that are not about Portage County but are of historic value and worth presenting here.
Genealogy Research: If Family Genealogy is your goal, use our "Search" to find family information on our site. Then visit the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point's Archives and Area Research Center or use the online links for obituaries, cemetery lists, and census data.
Maps: We have uploaded many links to maps through our Geology/Geography section.
Publications
The Society's publications cover a wide range of subjects offered in various formats.
Educational Material
Use our Educational Material main page to get more general ideas on some of the available historical studies web sites.
3rd grade: lesson plans are being developed for studying Portage County history that includes customized bus tours of historic sites within the County. Our Hie Corner School program annually sees approximately 800 students from Central Wisconsin attend a half day class in a one room schoolhouse setting.
4th grade: classes studying Wisconsin history can use our curriculum utilizing this site, the Wisconsin State Historical Society's site and other sites.