Basement-
Lumbering
Images and artifacts fill the exhibit dedicated to the history of logging and lumber in the area. From the days when lumberjacks roamed the territory and transformed the natural landscape, and Raftsman traversed the Wisconsin River you’ll learn what life was like for these figures in the 19th Century.
Train Depot
Located at the bottom of the stairs into the basement, the exhibit is displayed to step back in time waiting for the next train to arrive. The history of depots in the Wisconsin Rapids (pre-1920 Grand Rapids) Nekoosa, and Port Edwards are on exhibit.
First Floor-
Witter Library
This room in the past has been the Gift Shop and the office of the Administrator, the renovation has taken the room back to it’s original purpose, the study of Isaac P. Witter. The original built-in bookcases are full of classic novels, stories and books that the Witter family would have enjoyed and collected. The family history is outlined on top of the cases.
Brazeau Gallery
The room formerly known as The Front Gallery, has been renamed in honor of the contributions of T.W., Cathryn and Nicholas Brazeau Sr. in the founding of the SWCHC, the establishment of the Museum and it’s continued success within the Community.
During the 2023 season, this room will feature different Traveling Exhibits. The dates and outlines of the exhibits will be listed in Events section. Also featured, some of the works of local artist, Gloria Janetski.
J. Marshall Buehler Gallery
Named after local historian and long time Board member of the South Wood County Historical Museum, the gallery that holds our changing exhibit space is featuring “The 50th Anniversary of the Museum.”
Charlotte’s Sunroom
During the 2023 season, the renovation of the first floor of the Museum will be documented in photos for all to view.
Phil’s Den of Antiquity
A collection of local memorabilia belonging to Phil Brown. The exhibit includes souvenir items, postcard images which reflect the change from Grand Rapids to Wisconsin Rapids and more.
Cranberry Exhibit
The scaled down version of this exhibit is in the ‘construction’ phase at this time, update to follow.
Second Floor-
Toy Room
In 2020, the Toy Room was worked on to reveal the original fireplace that had previously been blocked off for exhibit use. For the 2021 season, the space features hand-drawn nursery rhymes. Other displays include toy trains, Tootsie Toy cars, and a Barbie display.
Alcove
Wisconsin Rapids High School graduate Myron H. “Grim” Natwick (1890 – 1990) is best known for animating the motion picture character “Betty Boop”. He also helped create “Snow White”, “Gulliver’s Travels”, “Woody Woodpecker”, and “Mr. Magoo”.
His other works also included cartoon sketches, poetry, sheet music and Consolidated News covers.
General Store/Country Kitchen
Step back in time with the general store and country kitchen. These displays were originally put in for the Museums’ first season in 1972. Through the years items from local grocers, dairies, and banks have been included.
School Room
Reminiscent of the one-room schoolhouses that used to operate through the South Wood County area, our school room features vintage student desks and mementos of primary school education from the past.
Doctor’s Office
The Doctor’s office exhibit, located in a former bathroom has been transformed to resemble a visit to a doctor’s office. On display are medical tools and equipment that doctors from the region used. The history of local doctors is also highlighted in the exhibit.
