Sauk County Historical Society

Sauk County Historical Society Enriching the people of Sauk County and beyond by sharing history and cultivating connections to the past.

Our website👉https://saukcountyhistory.org/
Our YouTube👉https://www.youtube.com/

Did you know there were actually 8 Ringling brothers? Seven lived to adulthood and five of them started their circus in ...
06/16/2026

Did you know there were actually 8 Ringling brothers? Seven lived to adulthood and five of them started their circus in Baraboo in 1884. They made their last name a household word. Most of the brothers married including August "Gus" Ringling Jr., second oldest of the brothers and the only one that never became part owner of the circus empire. Gus was trained to be a harness maker and carriage trimmer and he skillfully plied his craft in Minneapolis where he met his wife, Annie Hurley. Gus and Annie eventually moved to Baraboo so that Gus could join his brothers in the circus as a well-paid employee. Hear more about their lives from Annie Ringling at Sunday in the Cemetery - Living History Tour on Sunday, June 28 at 2 pm at Walnut Hill Cemetery. Tickets are cheaper in advance and can be purchased at Corner Drug and the Baraboo and Reedsburg Chambers or online -
https://saukcountyhistory.org/events/https/wwwsaukcountyhistoryorg/sundayinthecemetery26

It's back! If you have a fourth through sixth grader that loves history, this camp is for you! Join us for history myste...
06/10/2026

It's back! If you have a fourth through sixth grader that loves history, this camp is for you! Join us for history mysteries, mini-field trips, hands-on activities and even a treasure hunt! Two modules this year. Module 1 will explore maps, mounds, fur trading and water power. Module 2 will explore railroads, mines, and the circus and will include a behind-the-scenes trip to the courthouse.

For more information check out this link.
https://saukcountyhistory.org/events/https/wwwsaukcountyhistoryorg/blog-3

Don't miss this awesome evening of food and fellowship at Village Forest Park in West Baraboo on June 16 as we learn abo...
06/03/2026

Don't miss this awesome evening of food and fellowship at Village Forest Park in West Baraboo on June 16 as we learn about what happened in the Sauk County area during the Revolutionary War. Local historian, reenactor, and author, Mark Tully will talk about the events leading up to the British expedition of 1780, which passed along the Fox/Wisconsin waterway on its way to attack Fort San Carlos at St. Louis—the western- most battle of the Revolution. Tully will share maps and artworks, plus reproduction weapons and uniforms of the period. He will also discuss his theories on where the British forces may have set up their camp as they passed through Sauk County. The deadline to sign up is June 9. For more information and to register -
https://saukcountyhistory.org/events/https/wwwsaukcountyhistoryorg/foundersday26

Discover local treasures at our gift shop! Stop by the History Center to browse our collection of new, used, and rare bo...
06/03/2026

Discover local treasures at our gift shop! Stop by the History Center to browse our collection of new, used, and rare books, vintage yearbooks and plat maps, unique postcards, and custom mugs featuring historical scenes.

Located in the History Center (900 2nd Ave, Baraboo), the shop is open Wednesday through Friday from 12 pm to 4 pm.

In 1845 workers excavating for a foundation dug up a complete wooly mammoth skeleton near the river in Baraboo. It measu...
06/02/2026

In 1845 workers excavating for a foundation dug up a complete wooly mammoth skeleton near the river in Baraboo. It measured over 36 feet long. Unfortunately it slowly turned to dust after being exposed to air. Many years later in 1913, two men dug up a petrified mammoth tooth near the river in West Baraboo. You can see that tooth and learn much more about underground history at a presentation by SCHS Curator Sara Oostdik this evening, Tuesday, June 2 at 6 pm at the Carnegie-Schadde Memorial Public Library of Baraboo. Admission is free!

Did you know that British redcoats visited the SaukCounty area during the American Revolution? Local historian,reenactor...
05/26/2026

Did you know that British redcoats visited the Sauk
County area during the American Revolution? Local historian,
reenactor, and author, Mark Tully will talk about the
events leading up to the British expedition of 1780, which passed along the Fox/Wisconsin waterway at the SCHS Summer Picnic on June 16. Tully will share maps and artworks, plus reproduction weapons and uniforms of the period. He will also discuss his theories on where the British forces may have set up their camp as they passed through Sauk County. A delicious picnic buffet will be served by Trisha’s Cottage Kitchen & Catering. Don't miss this fun evening at the fabulour picnic shelter at Village Forest Park in West Baraboo. Open to the public. For tickets click: https://saukcountyhistory.org/events/https/wwwsaukcountyhistoryorg/foundersday26

If you have ever been in a Baraboo High School musical, the Big Top Parade, the Great Circus Parade, or a Baraboo Theatr...
05/06/2026

If you have ever been in a Baraboo High School musical, the Big Top Parade, the Great Circus Parade, or a Baraboo Theatre Guild production, the chances are HIGH that you have been in a costume made or altered by the incredibly talented Mona Larsen. Mona is a Master Seamstress bar none. She also loves history. She has been involved with the Sauk County Historical Society for over 40 years. Recently Mona made new drapes for the Van Orden Mansion which has been the home of the Sauk County Historical Museum since 1938. The front parlor, the best room in the house, is undergoing a significant restoration this year. A new reproduction wool carpet is being woven in England to match the original 1904 carpet and Mona made drapes to match one set of tattered remains of the original curtains for this room. The original curtains were celadon green to contrast with the orange stencilled walls. Thanks to Mona this effect has been brought back to life for the first time in over 80 years. When the new carpet is installed it will have a green border which matches the drapes. Mona also remade the lace sheers for the room, many of which were too long but are now custom fit for each window. SCHS has many talented people and ardent supporters and Mona is one of them. Thanks, Mona!
You can come see the drapes and the rest of the mansion Wednesdays through Saturdays from noon to 4 pm. The museum is free and you can check out all of our cool exhibits.

Wish you were here! We are open for the season and that is the theme for the new exhibits at the Sauk County Historical ...
05/01/2026

Wish you were here! We are open for the season and that is the theme for the new exhibits at the Sauk County Historical Museum in the historic Van Orden Mansion! Wish You Were Here - Life and Leisure in Sauk County covers everything from tourism to parlor games! Come see an Edwardian era wedding breakfast set up in the dining room, (grapefruit and shrimp aspic, any one?) find out about Sauk County's four state parks in the living room or how a Reedsburg cartoonist inspired the career of Charles Schulz, the creator of Snoopy and Charlie Brown, in the study. Two full floors of exhibits and hands-on displays! Does your child or grandchild know how to "dial" a phone? Try one out! Did I mention that admission is FREE!
The Sauk County Historical Museum in the 1903 Van Orden Mansion is open Wed through Sat from 12 to 4 pm, until the end of October. The museum is at 531Fourth Ave in Baraboo.

A big thank you to Meister Forest Products of Endeavor for donating and delivering an entire truckload of mulch to the V...
04/16/2026

A big thank you to Meister Forest Products of Endeavor for donating and delivering an entire truckload of mulch to the Van Orden Mansion! The grounds will be looking better than ever when the museum opens for the season on May 1. It would be better if it wasn't in a pile however. Could you help distribute it? Volunteers are needed Saturday, April 18 from 9 am to 1 pm. Stop by for an hour or stay the whole time. 531 4th Ave in Baraboo. Thanks!

Congratulations to Jean Brew of rural Wisconsin Dells who was awarded the 2026 William H. Canfield History Award by SCHS...
04/15/2026

Congratulations to Jean Brew of rural Wisconsin Dells who was awarded the 2026 William H. Canfield History Award by SCHS for over forty years of local history advocacy. Jean was on the ground floor of the formation of the Dells Country Historical Society and has served there for many years and has been a major presence at the Badger Steam and Gas Show. Jean was awarded by SCHS President Karen Zimmerman during Canfield Day which was on April 14 this year. The day marks the birthday of Sauk County's first historian who left behind a written legacy along with detailed maps. More in the captions.

Address

900 2nd Avenue
Baraboo, WI
53913

Opening Hours

Wednesday 12pm - 4pm
Thursday 12pm - 4pm
Friday 12pm - 4pm

Telephone

+1 608-356-1001

Website

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