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.
Check out our newly digitized historic newspapers. Currently, Waupaca's newspapers from 1853 through 1917 (with some exceptions) are online here: https://waupaca.historyarchives.online/.
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://ask.loc.gov/genealogy-local-history/faq/304931
https://artisanelevators.com/articles/glossary-of-architectural-terms/
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 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!
- Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend: Hutchinson House Museum open every weekend, 1-4pm; Depot open every weekend, 12-5pm.
- Saturday, August 15, 9am-4pm: Free Kids' Crafts and Items for Sale at Arts on the Square (at the Arts Hub/Waupaca Rec Center)
- Thursday, September 17, 6pm: "A Visit with Margaret Ashmun" with Dr. Connie Haack-Hurlbut
- Saturday, September 19, 9am-3pm: Brat Fry and Hutchinson House Open at Fall-O-Rama (South Park, Waupaca)
- Saturday, October 17, 2-4 pm (Lakeside Memorial Park): Hike Through History at Lakeside Cemetery
- Friday, October 30, 4-6pm: Brat fry at Halloween on Main (downtown Waupaca)
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
