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

King Cottage

  The King Cottage is one of the early cottages previously located at the Wisconsin Veterans Home in King. The building was moved to South Park and placed behind the Hutchinson House in 1975. To make room for larger facilities, the Wisconsin Veterans Home had planned to move or demolish some of the original cottages on their site. The Waupaca Historical Society, at the time, only operated the Hutchinson House and thus was looking for more room for storage. Working with the City of Waupaca, the Waupaca Historical Society moved the cottage to its current location and immediately utilized it for artifact and office storage.

  A few years later, porches were added to the cottage, and the interior walls were removed to allow for use as a research library. From 1997 until 2001, it was filled with photographs, books, maps, and other research and genealogical materials.  


  In 2001, with the purchase of the historic Carnegie Library building, the offices and many of the collections and genealogical and research materials moved out of the King Cottage. It then reverted back to storage for the Hutchinson House collections.


    The King Cottage is open to the public. A small exhibit in cottage tells the story of the Wisconsin Veterans Home in King and the role the cottages played at the site.

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Upcoming Programs at the Waupaca Historical Society!


  • Thurs., October 21, 6 p.m.:
    "150 Years of the Railroad in Waupaca" with Mike Kirk at the Depot 
  • Fri., October 29, 4-6 p.m.:
    Brat fry at Halloween on Main (find us in front of the library/City Hall on South Main Street!). Children can trick-or-treat at local businesses downtown and enjoy Halloween activities!
  • Thurs., November 11, 6 p.m.: 
    "The Legend of Chief Waupaca" with Ray Reser at Danes Hall (301 N. Main Street)
  • Sat., Dec. 4: Yuletide Trail

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Help us preserve your story!

We are collecting memories and stories from the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020-2021. These collections will be preserved at the Holly History and Genealogy Center to help future generations understand this time in Waupaca, our state, and our country. Please consider filling out our survey here!


Surveys can be emailed to director@waupacahistoricalsociety.org

or mailed to WHS, 321 S. Main Street, Waupaca, WI  54981.

2021 Summer Hours (UPDATE!)

Starting June 10, the Holly Center will be open to the public on

Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Fridays from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. 


WHS COVID POLICY

Following CDC guidelines, masks are appreciated in all of our buildings. We encourage all visitors to maintain a 6-foot distance from others and remain at home if exposed to COVID-19 or feeling unwell. 


Appointments outside of open hours at any WHS buildings can be made 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