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

Holly History & Genealogy Center


 The Holly History & Genealogy Center was built as the Waupaca Public Library. Thanks to the support and financial suport of the women of Waupaca, the local community and a Carnegie grant, the library opened on July 1, 1914. It served as the library until 1993. In 2001, the Waupaca Historical Society purchased the building to house its offices, collections and, later, the genealogical materials of the Waupaca Area Genealogical Society.

The Holly Center today is a depository for artifacts, local history books, documents, photos, maps, family histories, manuscripts, and other items relating to Waupaca and the surrounding area. The upper level of the Holly Center features exhibits related to Waupaca and Chain O'Lakes history. The lower level offers a meeting room for programming and rentals.

We have new open hours! Come visit us at the Holly Center:

Wednesday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
*Please note that the Waupaca Area Genealogical Society staffs the building on Wednesdays. This is a great time to stop in with any family history research questions!

Summer 2022:
We are also open on the second Saturdays of June, July and August from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.


The Holly Center can also open by special appointment at other times if arranged ahead of your visit. If you are traveling to Waupaca from out of town, we recommend that you call at least two weeks before your visit to set up an appointment.

The lower-level Cynthia Holly Meeting Room is also available for rental for your business meeting, program or family gathering. Please contact us for rates and availability at (715) 256-9980 or email at director@waupacahistoricalsociety.org.






Several rotating and permanent displays at the Holly Center offer a look at the Waupaca Historical Society's collections and Waupaca's history.













The Holly Center has a large library of genealogical and historical research materials.  These are available for research during open hours.










Donate

Thank you for donating to the Waupaca Historical Society and helping us preserve Waupaca and Chain O'Lakes history!

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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)

  • Wed., March 15: Lost Arts Folk School-Garden Basket (FULL)
  • Thurs., March 16: Lost Arts Folk School--Garden Basket (FULL)
  • Thurs., March 30, 6 p.m.: "A Creative Place: The History of Wisconsin Art" with Annemarie Sawkins (sponsored by Dennis W. Rocheleau)
  • Mon., April 17, 6:30 p.m.: Program with Winchester Academy at the Waupaca Area Public Library--"Ancient Canoes Discovered in Lake Mendota" with James Skibo, PhD
  • Thurs., April 20, 6:30 p.m.: "A Tale of Two Companies: The Building of Seagrave and Four Wheel Drive in Clintonville" with Barbara Koster
  • Sat., May 20, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.: Family Fun Day at the Depot with the Waupaca Area Public Library (DEPOT)
Check us out on Facebook!

WHS COVID POLICY

Masks are not required in our buildings at this time. We encourage visitors to wear masks if they feel more comfortable. We also encourage all visitors to remain at home if exposed to COVID-19 or feeling unwell. 


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.

Quick Links:

Waupaca Historical Society, 321 South Main Street, Waupaca, WI 54981 –– (715) 256-9980