Bristol Wisconsin Historical Society Inc.

Bristol Wisconsin Historical Society Inc. The purpose of BHS shall be the advancement of education within the field of historic preservation, through public discussions, groups, forums.

We are starting a historical society called Bristol Wisconsin Historical Society. The society is planning on saving the original Bristol Town Hall built in 1870. It will possibly be relocated to the Fireman’s Park next to the Bristol Fire department and restored into a museum and meeting place. The current location is in the county park on Hwy C and has no parking or easy access to it. The buildin

g is one of a kind. It was built in 1870 and contains a cement formed chimney, unlike other wood structures and is the oldest un-remodeled structure in Bristol. It is the first town hall in Bristol and used as a gathering place. On Oct. 15, 1869 the land where the building is located was given to the township for one peppercorn and one dollar. In legal parlance, a peppercorn is a metaphor for a very small payment, a nominal consideration, used to satisfy the requirements for the creation of a legal contract. The building was completed in 1870. It is a great opportunity for school children to learn about Bristol history in a historic restored building. Families will also benefit because they moved to the area from other areas and do not know about the rich long history. It will be a family learning experience open to all. The relocation and restoration of the building will benefit the community and preserve our history for future generations. It will be used to house a museum and for educational purposes by schools, scouting organizations, and other community organizations, programs, and citizens that benefit from the learning experience of an original 1870’s town hall. It gets young and old people involved thru historic demonstrations like mock town hall meetings, and restoring old artifacts. School children and their parents will learn about the area thru visiting the hall. It can be used for other events like reunions, weddings, plays, holiday programs, 4H, HCE, scouts, and adds an historic meeting hall next to the Bristol village hall. It is an historical asset to the community.

03/29/2026
03/29/2026
Hope to see you Sat. for the pancake breakfast. Serving 7:30 AM to 10:30 AM.
03/22/2026

Hope to see you Sat. for the pancake breakfast. Serving 7:30 AM to 10:30 AM.

new items donated by Valarie Rigert.Book of match book covers from Bristol and Kenosha businesses. More pages of match b...
02/25/2026

new items donated by Valarie Rigert.
Book of match book covers from Bristol and Kenosha businesses. More pages of match books available at Davison Hall.

new items donated by Valarie Rigert. 11 Pens and pencils from Bristol Businesses.Bristol Smoke Busters, Bristol Fire and...
02/25/2026

new items donated by Valarie Rigert. 11 Pens and pencils from Bristol Businesses.
Bristol Smoke Busters, Bristol Fire and Rescue, Vaj's Garage, Brat Stop, Merkt's Cheese Store, First National Bank of Kenosha, Kenosha Co. Sheriff, Dem Cee Tools Inc, Sew Easy Fabrics, Stanley Home Products, Trans Chemo. And key ring from Merkt's Cheese and Sauage Deli.

new item. Pencil that was given at a former hardware shop that was owned by Arthur "Spud" Magwitz. "Bristol Hardware Inc...
01/12/2026

new item. Pencil that was given at a former hardware shop that was owned by Arthur "Spud" Magwitz. "Bristol Hardware Inc." Plumbing and Heating.
Donated by Mark Kuhn.

new item in museum.Grinding wheel used by the 1st African American in Kenosha County, Andrew Santee. He was a blacksmith...
12/08/2025

new item in museum.
Grinding wheel used by the 1st African American in Kenosha County, Andrew Santee. He was a blacksmith in the 1800s. He was born in 1806 and was 44 years old when he lived in Bristol. His shop was on Hwy C behind and to the east of the original Bristol town hall on about 80 acres. The foundation of the shop is still there. The grinding wheel might have been operated by a hand crank or peddle.
Donated and history by Brian Schutzen.

Thank You Johnson Financial Group Strawberry Creek Branch Associates. We are honored to be nominated and selected as a ...
12/05/2025

Thank You Johnson Financial Group Strawberry Creek Branch Associates. We are honored to be nominated and selected as a recipient for the Johnson Financial Group 2025 Neighborhood Giving Campaign. The very generous gift will assist us in Preserving the Past for the Present.

Address

PO Box 111
Bristol, WI
53104

Telephone

(262) 857-9115

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