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://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 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 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)
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
