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Waupaca Historical Society
Waupaca Historical Society
321 S. Main St., Waupaca, WI 54981

Historic Photos of Waupaca and the Chain O'Lakes

The Waupaca Historical Society has an extensive collection of historic photographs, including the complete archive of Henry Estberg, the area's premier photographer during the early 1900s.

Grand View Hotel, Rainbow Lake
Grand View Hotel boat dock on Rainbow Lake
North Main Street, late 1930s
South Park, 1920s
North Main Street, 1930s
Waupaca Railroad Depot, 1940s
Blacksmith and Wagon Shop on East Fulton Street
Truesdell's Drug Store, late 1800s
South Main Street, 1940s
Beer wagon by Nelson's Bar on East Union Street, early 1900s
Edmunds Dock on Taylor Lake
Indian Crossing bridge, 1890s
Indian Crossing Casino porch, looking toward Columbia Lake
Indian Crossing Casino porch, 1960s
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Thank you for donating to the Waupaca Historical Society and helping us preserve Waupaca and Chain O'Lakes history!

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Come visit us year-round at the Holly Center at 321 S. Main Street during our open hours:


Wednesday and Thursday:
10 am to 2 pm

Friday:

10 am to 4 pm

2nd Saturday of the Month (excluding April and December):
11:30 am to 2 pm

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What's Happening at the Waupaca Historical Society


  • 2026: Holly Center now open until 4 pm on Fridays and the second Saturday of each month (excluding April and December) from 11:30 am to 2 pm!
  • Thursday, May 21, 6 pm: "Waupaca's Lost Indigenous Mounds" with author Zachary Bishop
  • Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend: Hutchinson House Museum open every weekend, 1-4pm; Depot open every weekend, 12-5pm.
  • Thursday, May 28, 4pm at the Commandant's House, Wisconsin Veterans Home at King: Signing of agreement with the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs for the preservation and public access of the Commandant's House at the Wisconsin Veterans Home at King (REFRESHMENTS & PROGRAM TO FOLLOW AT MARDEN MEMORIAL CENTER)
  • Saturday, June 20, 9am-4pm: Crafts and Items for Sale at Strawberry Fest (downtown Waupaca, at the Bandstand)
  • Monday, June 22, 6:30pm at the Waupaca High School Auditorium: "The National Native American Veterans Memorial: Honoring the Military Service of Native Americans" with Rachelle B. Pablo of the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian
  • Wednesday, June 24, 5:30-6:30pm: Hutchinson House Museum open before the Summer Nights Concert in South Park
  • JULY 4: CLOSED AT ALL BUILDINGS
  • Wednesday, July 15, 5:30-6:30pm: Hutchinson House Museum open before the Summer Nights Concert in South Park
  • Wednesday, July 22, 5:30-6:30pm:Hutchinson House Museum open before the Summer Nights Concert in South Park
  • Thursday, August 6, 3-6 pm: Pie and Ice Cream Fundraiser at the Holly Center--Pie and ice cream for sale, all to support the Waupaca Historical Society!
  • Saturday, August 8 (location and time to be announced): Parks and Rec Tour (with history of Waupaca's parks)
  • Saturday, August 15, 9am-4pm: Crafts and Items for Sale at Arts on the Square (at the Arts Hub/Waupaca Rec Center)

Looking for other events taking place in Waupaca? Check out the Waupaca Chain O'Lakes Community Calendar here!
Check us out on Facebook!

Appointments outside of open hours at any WHS buildings can be made at least two weeks in advance by calling the Holly History and Genealogy Center at (715) 256-9980 or emailing 

Tracy Behrendt at 

director@waupacahistoricalsociety.org.