Portage Wisconsin Historical Society

07/20/2026

Please make plans to attend this Tuesday evening at thr Historic Indian Agency House at Fort Winnebago. Bring a friend!

THIS TUESDAY, July 21: "Large Scale Indigenous Trade Networks in the Great Lakes Region" Don't miss this presentation by Dr. Heather Walder at 6:30pm in the Historic Indian Agency House visitor center.

https://www.agencyhouse.org/events

Free admission thanks to the Kohler Foundation, Inc. and our series co-sponsor, the Portage Wisconsin Historical Society

07/19/2026

Another fun weekend ahead over at the Historic Indian Agency House at Fort Winnebago next weekend!

07/01/2026

Cool off at the Portage Public Library tonight at 5:30 for a free historical presentation about Portage's ideal location. Thanks to our friends at the Wisconsin Society DAR for organizing this and Fort Winnebago Surgeons Quarters for sharing this!

Free historical presentation TONIGHT! Drop in to enjoy 'Location, Location, Location - a Tale of Two Rivers' at the Portage Public Library, 253 W. Edgewater St. in Portage at 5:30 p.m. This presentation brings the more than 350-year-old history of the Portage area to life.

06/26/2026

Another great event planned over at the Historic Indian Agency House at Fort Winnebago this weekend!

06/12/2026

Flashback Friday time! One of our members went treasure hunting today and found these at the thresheree in Plainfield. Who remembers when Hill was a Chevy and Olds dealer?

06/11/2026

Thanks to the Fort Winnebago Surgeons Quarters, Portage VFW Post 1707 and the Wau Bun Chapter, NSDAR for providing this opportunity for our community.

Join us for the flag retirement June 20th! 1 p.m. at FWSQHS.

06/11/2026

Another great weekend planned at the Historic Indian Agency House at Fort Winnebago!

This Saturday and Sunday, June 13-14, from 10am to 4pm, join us for our community-involvement archaeological dig!

It's also a unique experience to enjoy with the dads in your life on Father's Day weekend, June 20-21.

For details and to reserve dig times, go to:
https://www.agencyhouse.org/archaeology

Thank you to General Engineering Company for their long-time, generous sponsorship of this valuable project!

06/06/2026

Today's the day! It's going to be a beautiful day for Canal Days! Come for the parade and stay for all of the fun family activities.

Canal Days 2026 is bringing the fun to Downtown Portage! 🎉

Join us at Commerce Plaza from 11AM - 2PM for a full day of family fun, music, shopping, food, and community activities!

🚒Parade at 11AM - traveling north along Thompson Street, and end at the Market Square parking lot.
🎶 Live Music by the FM Flyers
🍔 Food Truck
🍦 Ice Cream for sale by the Pregnancy Resource Center
🫧 Erin the Bubble Lady
🎨 Face Painting
🏰 Bounce House Slide for the kids
🛍️ Downtown shops open and ready to welcome you

PLUS

Historic Downtown Walking Tour with Judy Eulberg at 10AM
Tour leaves from the Portage Area Chamber of Commerce Office.

Diaper Dive During the Parade
Help support local families by bringing diapers to donate! Donations can be collected during the parade or dropped off at the Pregnancy Resource Center ice cream booth.

✨ Interested in being part of the fun? We’re still looking for vendors, artists, bakers, produce stands, businesses, and organizations to participate!

Apply to set up a booth:
https://forms.gle/s7YwLi42Wuv7Vcor5

Parade entry form: https://forms.gle/RgufMEcZpuHm7CRf7

05/28/2026

Just a little over a week away is the annual Canal Days celebration! Check out the new parade route map so you can plan where you'll be to see all of the great Canal Days parade entries, including the Portage Wisconsin Historical Society! Where do you plan to sit?

🎉 PLAN YOUR PARADE VIEWING SPOT! 🎉

The Canal Days Parade returns Saturday, June 6th at 11AM — and here is this year’s NEW parade route!

The parade will begin at Superior Street & Thompson Street and travel north on Thompson Street, ending near Market Square where the fun continues with FREE family activities downtown at Commerce Plaza.

Why the route change?
This updated route helps improve safety, allows for stronger police presence, and helps us avoid future construction detours so we can keep this beloved tradition going for years to come 💙

Grab your lawn chairs, gather your family and friends, and start planning where you’ll watch the parade as we bring Canal Days back to Portage!

🎈 After the parade enjoy:
🎶 Live Music
🎨 Face Painting
🫧 Bubble Artist
📚 Free Children’s Books
🍔 Food Trucks
🍦 Ice Cream
💛 Diaper Drive
…and more!