Polk County Museum

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THE POLK COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

POST OFFICE BOX 41- 120 MAIN STREET

BALSAM LAKE, WISCONSIN 54810

715-485-9269

[email protected]

WELCOMES YOU TO VISIT

THE POLK COUNTY MUSEUM

Preserving the past for future generations by collecting a unique and enduring collection of Polk County History shared with the public through programs, exhibits, and research.

MUSEUM SEASON- MEMORIAL WEEKEND - LABOR DAY WEEKEND

THURSDAY - MONDAY 12 NOON TO 4:00 PM

No fee for admission. Your good will offering supports programs and events.

THE 2019 MUSEUM SEASON

Open House at the Polk County Museum

Saturday April 27th

JOIN HANDS EVENT was a fun event, visitors enjoyed delicious chili, heard a poem from Sara DeLuca and met Scout Chase Kern who produced the wonderful stand up picture cutouts. Visitors also previewed our newest Train Depot Exhibit.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

The Old Courthouse Museum, built in 1899, after the county seat was moved by popular vote from Osceola to Balsam Lake, is celebrating a milestone birthday, listed in The National Register of Historic Places, now 120 years young.

Visit a building dedicated to the people of Polk County.

2019 giveBIG St. Croix Valley Event

The Polk County Historical Society thanks everyone who made our Community day of giving a great success.

Tuesday April 30, 2019.

giveBIG SCV is a 24-hour online event that encourages everyone to contribute to St. Croix Valley’s nonprofits through an online giving platform. giveBIG St. Croix Valley will take place on Tuesday, April 30, 2019.

To learn more about giveBIG St. Croix Valley or to schedule your donation go to:

https://www.givebigscv.org/organization/Polk-County-Historical-Society

Rather send a check? You can mail your contribution to the Polk County Historical Society. Thank you.

SATURDAY JUNE 1ST, 10 -11AM

THE POLK COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY WILL BE HOSTING A

TOUR OF MINGLEWOOD ROBOT MILKING BARN

THERE IS NO FEE FOR THE TOUR, SPACE IS LIMITED, IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING PLEASE EMAIL [email protected] OR CALL 715-485-9269

In 1894 Belmer and Delia Solum bought a farm in Black Brook township; they then had two sons Gary Solum and Duane (Bill) Solum. Duane was born April 1931; at the age of 19 Duane became the operator of the family farm after his father’s death, supporting his mother and brother. Duane married Elaine Hansen in 1954 and had four children Kevin, Jody, Janet and Karen. Duane was a progressive farmer and a visionary using the latest technologies. In March of 1992, the barn and most of the herd were destroyed by fire. A new dairy facility was built in 1993. In 1995 the family farm was named Minglewood from the way the ancestors from Norway described that the trees really mingled around the farm like they did at their home in Norway. In January 2008 Duane (Bill) passed away and his son Kevin fully operates the farm with 1200 dairy cows with 480 of those cows now in the new robot milking barn. Minglewood farm started the building process in late April 2018 and they moved cows in November 27, 2018

COMING for the month of JULY 2019

On loan from the PALY Foundation, Scottsdale, Arizonia

Traveling Exhibit AMERICA'S WOLVES discover America’s wolves – the Red Wolf, the Gray Wolf, the Mexican Wolf and the Eastern Wolf. The exhibit features content that is educational and thought-provoking.

July 13, 1 PM Presenter from the Wildlife Science Center , Stacy, MN

A wildlife education specialist will visit the museum and present a program including a variety of hands-on props and activities that make this program a complete educational experience.

The mission of WSC is to serve as an educational resource for all ages; by: providing exposure to wild animals and the body of knowledge generated for their conservation;to advance understanding of wild animal biology through long-term, humane scientific studies on captive populations, thus contributing to technical training for wildlife agencies, educational institutions and conservation agencies.

2019 Pioneer School at the Lanesdale One Room Schoolhouse, Balsam Lake,

two sessions, August 6,7,8 and August 13,14,15.

To make this unique program successful, we are suggesting the children, ages 6-14 are interested in experiencing reading, writing, and arithmetic lessons as taught 100 years ago. Our goal is to provide children with an understanding of the history of education in an authentic one room school house and to have fun. There will be lots of old fashioned games, stories and music.

Students are asked to dress as children did in the 1900’s; for girls, long dresses and bonnets; for boys, bib- overalls, knickers, and suspenders, if available. Costume’s available at school.

SHARE IN OUR HISTORY

The Polk County Historical Society was established in 1937 by a group of Polk County residents to manage the preservation of the rich history of Polk County and the housing of artifacts. The Society is a nonprofit organization with a Board of Directors and Membership.

The Old Courthouse, built in 1899 is a beautiful Romanesque, three story building, located in the heart of beautiful Balsam Lake.

In 1975 the Polk County Courthouse was relocated and the County invited the Historical Society to relocate their one room museum to the Old Courthouse. The Courthouse is listed on The National Register of Historic Places.

Three floors of Museum, offering a myriad of exhibits fits almost any interest; it is a priority of the Society to not only display items of local history, but to educate visitors of the history of the area. (About tab, top of page, features the many displays).

History lays the groundwork for strong, resilient communities. No place really becomes a community until it is wrapped in human memory: family stories, tribal traditions, civic commemorations. No place is a community until it has awareness of its history, strengthened when we share stories and experiences.

Visit our museum store featuring; local artists, books, t-shirts, hats and other fun items.

2018 Museum Events;