Our Mission
The mission of the Waupaca Historical Society is to preserve the history of the Waupaca area and to share that history with others. We do this through our library and artifact collections, special exhibits and programs, and tours of our facilities that we offer to individuals, groups, families, and students. Our services are provided free of charge.
The Waupaca Historical Society was organized on April 27, 1953. In 1955, the Waupaca Historical Society affiliated with the State of Wisconsin Historical Society and was incorporated under Wisconsin state law. The Waupaca Historical Society purchased the historic Hutchinson House in 1956, moved it to South Park, and opened it as a public museum in 1957. In 2001, Waupaca's historic 1914 Carnegie Library Building was purchased and renamed the Holly History and Genealogy Center. It now serves as the headquarters of the Waupaca Historical Society and provides the community with a history library and genealogy research facility and a community meeting room. In 2004, the Society purchased the Waupaca Railroad Depot from the Canadian National Railway. Depot restoration began immediately and is ongoing.
The Waupaca Historical society is actively involved with the following projects:
- Maintaining and improving our four historic buildings
- Developing and offering historical programs on a monthly basis and offering tours of our historic buildings during the summer months
- Creating rotating educational exhibits at the Holly History and Genealogy Center
- Actively collecting and cataloguing historical documents and artifacts of significance to the Waupaca and Chain O'Lakes area
- Supporting genealogical and local historical research
- Serves a resource and partner for our community, local leadership, businesses and organizations
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
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
