History of the South Wood County Historical Museum Building
On the site of Isaac’s boyhood home, Anton Billmeyer built Shadowlawn for Isaac Witter in 1907. The house was built on grounds consisting of 230 feet of frontage on Third Street and 230 feet on the Wisconsin River.
The house was built in the neoclassical style, consisting of 23 rooms, not including the large halls, and had a central vacuum system. An elevator was installed after Isaac became ill.
In 1947, Isaac’s brother-in-law, George W. Mead, purchased the Witter home and grounds for $15,000.00 and presented it to the city to house the T.B. Scott Public Library, which opened in 1948.
After the McMillan Memorial Library was built and opened in 1970, the building and land were deeded to the South Wood County Historical Corporation for the museum, which opened in 1972.
Board of Directors
Leon Schmidt, President
Phil Brown, Vice-President
Ellen Roeseler, Secretary
Mary Anne Getzin, Treasurer
Richard Bender
Nick Brazeau Jr.
Meg Daly
Mary Olson
Robert Zimmerman
Grant Deuel
Mission Statement of the South Wood County Historical Corporation
The South Wood County Historical Corporation preserves and interprets the rich heritage of South Wood County, Wisconsin, by collecting, conserving, researching, and exhibiting historical materials that reflect the region’s people and environment. Through permanent and traveling exhibitions—including those of national significance—the Corporation fosters education, inquiry, and public engagement to benefit current and future generations.
