"Art Outdoors" Event At Wegner Grotto, Sat. Aug 24 10-3
Art Outdoors at the Wegner Grotto will be Saturday, August 24th. Come and go from 10am-3pm. All skill and age levels are encouraged to attend. This family-friendly event includes exploring one of Wisconsin’s fascinating art environments, the Wegner Grotto, and creating art in the out-doors. Three art activities will be available to visitors: clay sculpting, mosaic making, and painting with... Read More
New and Improved MCLHR.org Coming Soon
We're excited to announce that a long-awaited update to our award-winning website (www.MonroeCountyHistory.org ) is coming very soon! It may have a new look, but it has the same great and easy to use search features. What changes will you see? • A new, mobile-friendly look: We here at the History Room love the past, but we want our website to have a more contemporary, less-cluttered look. •... Read More
Sparta History Trivia June 4 at Sparta Soda Works
How well do you know your Sparta trivia? Come find out on Tuesday, June 4, at 6 pm at the Sparta Soda Works (121 E. Oak St., Sparta). Join us for Sparta History Trivia Night! A friendly competition to test how well you know Sparta history. FREE to play for all ages. Limit 10 people per team. Prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place! Food and drinks will be available for purchase. Space is limited.... Read More
May 23 History Program: "The Ho-Chunk Struggle Against Removal from Wisconsin"
The Monroe County Local History Room & Museum presents: "The Ho-Chunk Struggle Against Removal from Wisconsin" by UW-Madison history professor and author Stephen Kantrowitz. The program will occur on Thursday, May 23, at 7 pm at the Sparta United Methodist Church (210 N. Court St.). During the 1820s and 1830s, the United States seized the Ho-Chunk people’s entire ancestral homeland and tried... Read More
April 25 History Program: "Shop Talk: History & Memories of the Milwaukee Road Shops in Tomah"
The Monroe County Local History Room & Museum presents: “Shop Talk: History & Memories of the Milwaukee Road Shops in Tomah,” a public program to be held on Thursday, April 25th at 7pm at the Sparta United Methodist Church. Join us for an in-depth look at the history and importance of the Milwaukee Road railroad shops in Tomah during their decades of operation. Hear stories from those who worked... Read More
Last Chance To View The Huge Christmas Village Display At The History Room
Saturday, January 13th is the last day to view the spectacular holiday village display, “North Pole Magic In Miniature,” at the Monroe County Local History Room & Museum in Sparta. The “North Pole Magic In Miniature” display features over 140 illuminated and/or animated miniature buildings from the personal collection of the late Joan Cook of Sparta. Joan was a dedicated promoter of Monroe County... Read More
HUGE North Pole Spectacular on Display at History Room, Nov. 20-Jan. 13
The “North Pole Magic In Miniature” display features over 140 illuminated and/or animated miniature buildings from the personal collection of the late Joan Cook of Sparta. Joan was a dedicated promoter of Monroe County history and a passionate fan of the holidays. This “North Pole Magic In Miniature” display celebrates both Joan and the childhood wonder of the North Pole at Christmas. The display... Read More
Free Public Program to Celebrate the History of the Former Sparta Masonic Temple Building
“100 Years A Landmark: Celebrating the History of the Former Sparta Masonic Temple Building,” a public program to be held on Wednesday, September 13 at 7pm the Monroe County Local History Room and Deke Slayton Museum, 200 West Main St., Sparta. The Museum Building turns 100! Join the staff of both museums and representatives from the Sparta Masons and Eastern Star to hear about the history and... Read More
"Art Outdoors" Event At Wegner Grotto, Sat. Aug 26 10-3
On Saturday, August 27th the Wegner Grotto County Park will host “Art Outdoors.” This family-friendly event includes exploring one of Wisconsin’s fascinating art environments, the Wegner Grotto, and creating art in the outdoors. Three art activities will be available to visitors: clay sculpting, mosaic making, and painting with pastels. Come and go from 10am-3pm. All skill and age levels are... Read More
History of Camp McCoy’s WWII Expansion, 7pm Thursday, May 11
Ryan Howell, Garrison Archaeologist and Historian, Fort McCoy, WI -US Army Installation, will present on the history of the 1942 expansion of what was then Camp McCoy from the pre-WWII 9,000 acres of “Old South Post” to the modern installation of 60,000 acres. This 1942 51,000-acre base expansion removed a large number of Monroe County farm families from rural communities via eminent domain. The... Read More