La Crosse County Historical Society

06/19/2026

Happy Friday!

Historic Hixon House is officially open for the season! Come check out our special beer advertising exhibit at the La Crosse Area Heritage Center. Find us tomorrow at the Juneteenth Celebration at Riverside Park with the Enduring Families Project and Enduring Families Project Children’s Stories.

06/17/2026

Thank you, Bosshard Parke Ltd.! ❤️

We are grateful for your support of our mission to discover, preserve, and share the history of La Crosse County. Community partnerships like yours help make our work possible.

Bosshard Parke is proud to support the La Crosse County Historical Society, a nonprofit dedicated to discovering, preserving, and sharing the history of La Crosse County.

For more than a century, the La Crosse County Historical Society has helped keep our region’s stories accessible through collections, education, and places like the Historic Hixon House and La Crosse Area Heritage Center.

We’re grateful for their stewardship of our local history and proud to support their mission.

06/15/2026

Welcome, Rob Grover!

The La Crosse County Historical Society is pleased to welcome Rob Grover as our new Executive Director.

A lifelong history enthusiast with deep roots in the region, Rob grew up near Galesville and earned a history degree from the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse. He is passionate about preserving and sharing the stories that connect people to their community.

“I am honored to be part of this work and look forward to helping uncover, preserve, and share the stories that matter.”

Please join us in welcoming Rob to LCHS!

06/15/2026

Postcard of Fourth Street looking South, La Crosse. This postcard was mailed in 1912.

06/13/2026

Happy Saturday!

There are two fun ways to connect with us today!

🎨 Stop by Artspire La Crosse in Riverside Park, where we're partnering with United Fund for the Arts and Humanities - UFAH to host a hands-on craft activity. We'd love to see you there!

🍺 Then visit the La Crosse Area Heritage Center to explore our special exhibition, Drink in the Design: La Crosse Beer Advertising. Discover the artwork, stories, and history behind the advertisements that helped shape La Crosse's brewing legacy.

06/08/2026

The holes are a bit deeper this week at Historic Hixon House!

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (UWL) archaeology students are digging into local history at the Hixon House as part of a two-week field school designed to give students hands-on excavation experience.

06/08/2026

We had a great visit today with high school students from the School District of La Crosse's Adventure Education summer school program!

At the La Crosse Area Heritage Center, students explored the museum and played the moccasin game with the Youngthunder family. At Historic Hixon House, students met with Dr. David Anderson to learn about the ongoing archaeological excavations and took part in a scavenger hunt as they toured the home.

Thank you to the Youngthunder family, Dr. Anderson, and our staff and volunteers for helping make this a fun and educational day of local history, culture, and discovery!

06/07/2026

ROCKS ARE BACK! ✨🪨

Keep your eyes peeled in Riverside Park! These sparkly rocks are making a return, and each one has a special surprise.

In addition to featuring our logo, every rock is redeemable for free admission for up to four people to the La Crosse Area Heritage Center.

This community adventure is made possible in collaboration with the City of La Crosse - Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Department.

If you find one, snap a photo, share it, and then bring it in to claim your admission. Happy hunting! 🔍✨

06/06/2026

It's a great day to visit the museum! Come check out our current special exhibit at the La Crosse Area Heritage Center featuring La Crosse's brewing legacy! The museum is open at 506 Main St, Friday-Sunday, 12-4:30 pm, last admission at 4.

06/05/2026

The Bluff Arcade’s proprietor, John Blajeske, didn’t let Prohibition slow him down. During the 1920s he was arrested more than once for brewing on the sly. In September 1924, agents reportedly discovered 30 gallons of homebrew in the making, eight quarts chilling in the ice box, and even a half-pint of moonshine tucked into the pocket of an old coat hanging in the saloon.

A pre-Prohibition postcard view of Grandad Bluff and the Bluff Arcade, proudly advertising Gund’s Peerless Beer.

Want to learn more about La Crosse's brewing heritage? Come visit our special exhibit on La Crosse's brewing industry advertising at the La Crosse Area Heritage Center, 506 Main Street, Friday-Sunday, 12-4:30 pm, last admission at 4 pm.