MCLHR & Museum News

"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

Last Chance to See "Lights and LEGO" is Jan. 28th

Saturday, January 28th is your last chance to see “Festive Favorites: Lights and LEGO” at the Monroe County Local History Room & Museum. Come see eleven illuminated Christmas lights which once hung along Superior Ave. in Tomah back in the 1950s and 1960s glowing once again with Christmas spirit. Also on display is a colorful 36-square-foot Christmas Village made of LEGO bricks. Both displays will... Read More

MCLHR.org Updated; Nearly 40,000 Entries Added

Nearly 40,000 entries have been recently added to our website www.MCLHR.org. Is it time to search for your ancestors again? Additions include: --Monroe County High School Graduate Index --Monroe County Student Records Index --Monroe County Historic Business Index --Monroe County Biographical Index --Monroe County Cemetery Index --Monroe County Poor Farm/Asylum Index --Monroe County Jail Register... Read More

Two Holiday Displays at History Room

The Monroe County Local History Room & Museum is featuring TWO displays this holiday season. “Festive Favorites: Lights and LEGO” runs from November 21st through January 28th. Come see eleven illuminated Christmas lights which once hung along Superior Ave. in Tomah back in the 1950s and 1960s glowing once again with Christmas spirit. Also on display is a colorful 36-square-foot Christmas Village... Read More

"Art Outdoors" Event At Wegner Grotto, Sat. Aug 27 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 out-doors. Three art activities will be available to visitors: clay sculpting, mosaic making, and painting with pastels (new this year!). Come and go from 10am-3pm. All skill and... Read More

1950 Census Now Searchable on MCLHR.org; Website Hits 1 Million Indexed Records

The 1950 Census for Monroe County, WI is now fully searchable on www.MCLHR.org. It is currently a standalone index on the website but will eventually be included within the larger Monroe County Census Index. Census record images can be ordered through the website for a nominal fee. The Population Schedules for the 1950 Census include standard information such as: first and last name, age,... Read More

3rd Annual Sparta Youth Scavenger Hunt Begins July 2

The Monroe County Local History Room & Museum and Sparta Kiwanis Club are sponsoring a City-Wide Scavenger Hunt, July 2-16. Any student, K-12 (private, public or home school), residing within the boundaries of the Sparta Area School District and/or attending a school within those boundaries, is eligible to participate in the scavenger hunt. Only one entry form per student may be submitted for the... Read More

History of Tomah Indian School May 12

Local historians and authors Kevin and Patsy Alderson will share the history of the Tomah Indian Industrial School as well as the motives for and consequences of the Indian Boarding School system. The program will be held on Thursday, May 12, at 7:00 PM at the Monroe County Local History Room & Museum, 200 W. Main St., Sparta. This program is jointly presented by the Monroe County Local History... Read More

Census Program, 7pm March 31st

In recognition of the upcoming release of the 1950 U.S. Census, archivist and author Laura Godden will give an overview of these important historical records, specifically showcasing their usefulness in research during the public program "Gaining Census: Exploring Historic U.S. Census Records." The program will be held on Thursday, March 31, at 7:00 PM at the Monroe County Local History Room &... Read More