DeForest Area Historical Society

06/17/2026

We found this wedding photo from almost 70 years ago in our archives. Isn't this a beautiful wedding party?

06/17/2026

06/16/2026

From the DeForest Times Tribune, June 16, 1967.

06/15/2026

We had our first 2026 open house day at the DeForest Railroad Depot and at the Hansen-Newell-Bennett House Museum today. Thanks to all who came and visited!

If you've been following DeForest history over the years, you'll probably remember that Julius Hansen built the house at 119 East Elm Street that we now have as our museum. The next owner was the Newell family, followed by Mr. and Mrs. Dyson Bennett.

Today we were thrilled to have another owner of the house visit us! Don and Margaret Hoffmann bought the house from Dyson Bennett in 1975. Mr. Bennett was 93 years old at that time.

It was interesting to walk around the house with the Hoffmanns and hear their memories of living there.

The Hoffmanns lived in the house until 1978. Then DeForest businessman, Robert Ethun bought the house and donated it to our Historical Society.

Our next open house day is July 12.

06/12/2026

Volunteer Louise is ready to greet visitors at the Hansen-Newell-Bennett House Museum!

Sunday is not only our first open house of the 2026 season, but it's also Flag Day. We'll be honoring our military with a special display of military items. And we'll be sharing a recent donation of these nice American flags with our visitors! Stop in for a tour and we'll give you a flag to wave during this America 250 year.

The DeForest Railroad Depot will be open during the same time and is just a short walk or drive from the HNB House Museum. You're invited to visit both historical spots.

OPEN HOUSE at
DeForest Railroad Depot - 215 Market Street, DeForest
Hansen-Newell-Bennett House Museum - 119 E. Elm Street, DeForest
Sunday, June 14 from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Free guided tours

06/11/2026

When you're at DeForest's Fireman's Park for a ball game, concert, or maybe the July 4th festivities, look for this structure. It's the Centennial plaque commemorating the 1963 celebration. Here's what the plaque says:

DEFOREST CENTENNIAL
1863 TO 1963
The Village of DeForest and the surrounding 2200 acres were once owned by Isaac N. DeForest. He purchased the site for $25 an acre in 1854 to farm and to raise wheat. In 1856, before moving to Wetmore, Kansas, he platted the site for a village.
A native hand-hewn rock in this monument came from the original DeForest home in Madison which he built in 1853. The structure, at the corner of Park and State Streets was later was used as the administration building by the University of Wisconsin. The building was raised in 1965.
Erected in 1966 by DeForest area citizens.

06/09/2026

Did you catch this article in most recent issue of The Star?

Come tour the Hansen-Newell-Bennett House Museum and the Railroad Depot this Sunday between 1:00 and 4:00 pm!

06/08/2026

Belated congratulations to our local Lions Club on their 70th anniversary!

Thanks for the good work this chapter does for our communities.

06/07/2026

The DeForest Railroad Depot is shaping up. Last year the passenger and ticketing area was renovated. This spring work began on the freight area.

Come and see for yourself! There will be an open house on Sunday, June 14 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Depot.

The Hansen-Newell-Bennett House Museum will be open for touring at the same time.

If you can't make it that day, we have other open house dates coming up:

+Sunday, July 12
+Sunday, August 9
+Sunday, September 13
+Sunday, October 11

Tours are free!