Invites you to visit the
Polk County Museum- Old Courthouse
Open Memorial Day through Labor Day Weekend
MISSION STATEMENT: Preserving the past for future generations by establishing a unique and enduring collection of Polk County history, shared with the public through educational programs and exhibits.
Handicap Accessible / Air Conditioned
The Polk County Museum is
closed for the regular 2018 season
e-mail: [email protected]
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday noon to 4 pm
No Fee for Admission- Donations Appreciated and Sustain our Efforts
Built in 1899, the Polk County Museum was the Polk County Courthouse until 1975. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places and is an absolute treasure. You'll find three floors of galleries just bursting with items; some dating back as far as the Revolutionary War! Most of what you'll encounter is from the early 1900's.
Visit our exhibit; 9,000 year old Bison Bones' Back-ground on this phenomenal exhibit; in 1934 a farmer in the St. Croix River Valley (between Minnesota and Wisconsin) presented the University of Minnesota with several large animal bones. The bones were discovered by accident at a marl dredging pit, east of Dresser in Nye, dated to the late Pleistocene. The Society was part of a team that helped bring the 'Bones' back to Polk County.Immerse yourself in the history of the Polk County people during the Logging Era with a visit to the newly redesigned Logging Room. Explore the impact of the Logging industry in the St. Croix River Valley. Preview some of our Exhibits under the About
2018 Museum Events
The Annual SPOOKTACULAR HALLOWEEN at the Polk County Museum, was a huge success,over 200 children and thier families joined us for treats and a fun family time. Unity High School students shared the fun, giving out treats. Thanks to a donation from Balsam Lake City Chamber
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Thursday, October 11th Author Lois Joy Hoffman dicussed her adventures sailing around the world and the books that have captured her journeys.
Lois shared; The Long Way Back, published last October. She had introduced the book in San Diego but have never had the opportunity to introduce it here. Maiden Voyage is the first book in the series and the second is Sailing the South Pacific.
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Wednesday October 17th The Polk County Historical Society held their Annual Meeting and Dinner at the Indianhead Supper Club in Balsam Lake. Guest speaker Sara DeLuca spoke on the importance of preserving personal and family history.
The Polk County Historical Society would like to thank all the guests , Indianhead Supper Club staff and our special speaker for making this a wonderful event.
Hosting the following traveling Exhibits;
Sponsored by funds recieved from The Amery Lions Club and
Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen Foundation
On loan from the Wisconsin Historical Society
Commemorating the centennial of the National Park Service, the traveling display "Wisconsin's John Muir: An Exhibit Celebrating the Centennial of the National Park Service" explores Muir's youth in Wisconsin, his advocacy for national parks and his views on environmental issues such as logging, hunting and climate change.
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WWI Beyond the Trenches:
Stories from the Front Over 122,000 Wisconsin men and women served on land, sea, and in the air during World War I. The Wisconsin Veterans Museum marks the centennial of the First World War with the opening of a major exhibit featuring an up close and personal look at the Great War through the eyes of Wisconsin veterans.
On loan from the Wisconsin Veterans Museum
On the evening of June 14th the Polk County Historical Society hosted
an open house honoring Wisconsin's WWI Veterans, with displays "WWI Beyond the
Trenches: Stories from the Front," on loan from the WI Veterans Museum. Dr. Smetak concluded his presentation with a group sing a long of; "You're a Grand Old Flag," by George Cohan,written for that era.
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Students from Amery, Frederic and Unity toured the Museum, treated to an exciting program by Chief Dan Mosay of the St. Croix Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, history tours, and a visit to the Lanesdale one room school house
July Freedom Fest, the Polk County Museum celebrated Balsam Lake Freedom Fest. Many joined us and cooled off at our Annual Root Beer Float Fundraiser. Thanks to Bernicks and all our wonderful volunteers and helpers.
PIONEER SCHOOLING AT LANESDALE SCHOOL IN BALSAM LAKE
Thanks to a Grant from Polk-Burnett Electri
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Polk County Museum / Historical Society Balsam Lake, WI Phone:
715-485-9269
Email: [email protected]
