La Crosse County Historical Society

10/13/2026

10/13/2026

Take a look at this beautiful postcard showing a bird’s-eye view of the Mississippi River and La Crosse.

10/12/2026

Today is Indigenous Peoples' Day!

Hoocąk (Ho-Chunk) people are the Indigenous people of Wisconsin. Hoocąk people were created in Wisconsin and have lived here since the beginning of time. The Hoocąk influence on the county of La Crosse is tied to their continual presence in this place.

Their traditional territory stretched from Moogašuc (Moe-gah-shuch, Red Banks near Green Bay) to the other side of the Mississippi River, down into northern Iowa, and back up along the Rock River to Green Bay.

Prior to colonization, the Hoocąk were primarily farmers, hunters, and fishermen living along the abundant waterways of Wisconsin. The rich water life of the Hinųkwas (La Crosse) area has kept the Hoocąk living here into present times.

Hoocąk people were forcibly removed from Wisconsin seven times by the U.S. Government. Many families hid to avoid capture, and other families journeyed through harsh winters on foot from Iowa, Minnesota, the Dakotas, and Nebraska back to their homeland of Wisconsin.

Today, the Ho-Chunk Nation is a sovereign nation consisting of four branches of government: executive, legislative, judicial, and general council. The Ho-Chunk Nation operates a Tribal Office Building in Black River Falls and many satellite offices, such as the Three Rivers House in Hinųkwas.

Text from the Hoocąk exhibit at the La Crosse Area Heritage Center, curated by Josephine Lee and Tracy Littlejohn.

Image: Map of Wisconsin First Nations — Treaty lands in 1800 and present-day tribal lands.
https://wisconsinfirstnations.org/map/
https://theways.org/map

10/10/2026

The La Crosse community will celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day with two days of activities Sunday and Monday.

10/10/2026

🍺 Only THREE weekends left to enter! 🍺

Visit. Explore. Enter to Win!

There’s another great reason to visit Drink in the Design: La Crosse B**r Advertising before it closes on October 25!

La Crosse Beverage, LLC and Pabst Brewing Co. have generously donated a limited-edition Old Style Six-Pack LED sign celebrating the return of Old Style brewing to La Crosse—and one lucky museum visitor will take it home!

Don't miss your chance to see the exhibit and enter to win this unique piece of La Crosse brewing history!

📍 La Crosse Area Heritage Center | 506 Main Street, La Crosse
📅 Fridays–Sundays, Noon–4 p.m.
⏳ Last day to enter: October 25!

The LED sign is a contemporary promotional item donated specifically for this giveaway. No purchase necessary. One entry per person, per visit, per day. See official rules for more details.

10/08/2026

Only three weekends remain to visit "Drink in the Design: La Crosse B**r Advertising" at the La Crosse Area Heritage Center! 🍻

Our special exhibit closes October 25, so don't miss your chance to explore the colorful and creative history of La Crosse's brewing industry.

Several visitors have even said the exhibit is worth the drive from Chicago! Now that's a recommendation!

A special thank you to City Brewing & Beverage for sponsoring the exhibit throughout October!

Make plans to stop by before it's gone!

La Crosse Area Heritage Center | 506 Main Street, La Crosse
Friday-Sunday, 12- 4 p.m.

10/05/2026

Last week, we had the privilege of hosting La Crosse Links at the La Crosse Area Heritage Center!

La Crosse Links is a free, five-session program that immerses newcomers in the history, culture, and opportunities that define the region. By fostering a sense of belonging and building social capital, La Crosse Links works to turn new residents into neighbors and open doors to lasting relationships in the community.

10/03/2026

A dedicated group of volunteer gardeners keeps the Hixon House gardens thriving throughout the season! 🌿

Pictured here are some of the fruits—and vegetables—of their labor from the kitchen garden. We are so grateful for the time and care they put into keeping this special part of the Hixon House grounds growing. 💚

10/02/2026

A big thank you to City Brewing & Beverage for sponsoring the month of October at the La Crosse Area Heritage Center!

Their support helps us share our "Drink in the Design: La Crosse B**r Advertising" exhibit, on view through October 25. Stop in this month to explore La Crosse’s brewing history and see advertising and memorabilia from breweries past and present—including plenty of City Brewery favorites!

📍 La Crosse Area Heritage Center, 506 Main Street