History and Research
The Waupaca Historical Society's Holly Center houses books, collections and photographs, among many other objects, that tell the history of Waupaca and the Chain O'Lakes area. The Holly Center also houses the Waupaca Area Genealogical Society's collection of genealogical and research materials.
The Waupaca Area Genealogical Society also have great historical and genealogical information, along with cemetery records and information, on their website: http://www.wigenweb.org/waupaca/index.htm.
For more history on Waupaca and the Chain O'Lakes, click on the "History and Research." Then click on "Waupaca and Chain O'Lakes History."
If you are starting research on your historic home, these links are helpful places to start:
https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Article/CS4030
https://www.homeadvisor.com/r/a-guide-to-researching-the-history-of-a-house/
Local property titles, deeds and other land documents are housed at the Waupaca County Courthouse at the Register of Deeds. Birth, death, marriage and divorce records, in addition to tribal marriage or divorce records, are also housed at the Waupaca County Register of Deeds. For more information, visit https://www.waupacacounty-wi.gov/departments/register_of_deeds/index.php.
The Holly Center is open for research during public hours on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays (and the second Saturdays during the summer).
Thank you for donating to the Waupaca Historical Society and helping us preserve Waupaca and Chain O'Lakes history!
Come visit us at the Holly Center at 321 S. Main Street during our open hours on
Wednesday through Friday,
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.!
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What's Happening at the Waupaca Historical Society!
(all programs are at the Holly History and Genealogy Center unless otherwise noted)
- Saturday, Oct. 19, 6 p.m.: Hike Through History at Lakeside Cemetery
- Thursday, Oct. 24, 6 p.m.: "Waupaca Curling Club: Throwing Rocks Through the Ages" with Neil Wenberg
- Friday, Oct. 25, 4-6 p.m.: Brat fry fundraiser at Halloween on Main!
- Friday, Nov. 1: Yuletide Trail Cookie Tin on Sale!
- Thursday, Nov. 14, 6 p.m.: "The Men Behind the Scarf: What Vietnam Veterans Don't Talk About" with Peggy Krause
- Thursday, Dec. 5--Sunday, Dec. 8: Waupaca's Yuletide Celebration (with Yuletide Trail on Saturday, Dec. 7)
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