Events, Programs, & Tours
Learn about Portage County's History through a unique experience! We offer various fun and interesting opportunities to interact with our history at our sites and around the county.
Tours
Historic Downtown Stevens Point Walking Tour
This one hour tour begins and ends at the Stevens Point Area Convention and Vistors Bureau Every Monday between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Learn about the people, architecture and events that shaped the city. If you'd like to take this tour on a different date/time and have a group of at least 8 people, email jharry@pchswi.org to make arrarangements.
History Pub Crawl
This tour will take you to three Downtown Stevens Point establishments to learn about the tavern culture of years gone by, while also enjoying a complimentary adult beverage. Stops on this year's tour include Guu's on Main, Joe's Bar, and the Brick Hause.
This tour is for 21+ attendees only.
Point Brewery History Tour
Learn about the history of the nation's second oldest continuously operating brewery as you tour the brewery itself! See parts of the brewery not on the regular tour! Includes complimentary Point Beer and Soda samples and a free history gift.
This tour is for 21+ attendees only. As the brewery is a operational facility, close toed shoes are required and certain areas may be noisy. Climbing stairs is also required for this tour.
Talking Points
Historical Education Programming Series
Every month, discover a new perspective on Portage County's history through our Talking Points Historical Education Programming Series. This series, provided free to the public by a grant from the Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin, looks to tell the impactful and diverse stories of this place we call home.
Up Next:
Polish History of Stevens Point
September 17, 2022
Historic Beth Israel Synagogue
1475 Water Street in Stevens Point
12:30 p.m.
Join us as we take a deep dive into the Polish History of Stevens Point during the Dozynki Harvest Festival! The Polish heritage in Portage County is one of the area's defining features. First settling in Stevens Point in 1857, Polish immigrants and their descendants left a mark on our communities that lasts to this day. This presentation explores this unique relationship and the contributions of Polish immigrants to the area.
Rising Star Mill Open House & Barns of Portage County Exhibit
Your chance to see inside Portage County’s oldest flour mill is coupled this year with the popular “Barns of Portage County” exhibit. Starting on Friday, September 30 and running through Sunday October 2, each day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., take a peek inside the Rising Star Mill in the village of Nelsonville to admire the county’s rich agricultural history. Volunteers will be on hand to answer questions and help guide you through the space.
The Rising Star Mill was built in 1868 by Jerome Nelson, for whom Nelsonville is named. The structure was obtained by the Portage County Historical Society in 1985 and has since been cared for by volunteers in the Nelsonville area. The open house not only includes the exhibit, but also refreshments for purchase, as well as Rising Star Mill and Portage County Historical Society books and merchandise for sale. This event is free to the public.