Ripon Historical Society

06/05/2026

What was it like to be a teenager in Ripon in the 1950s and '60s? A 1975 interview with Marcia Bentley Buhrow recalls movie matinees, soda fountains, cruising downtown, school dances and other favorite hangouts that helped define a generation growing up in Ripon.

05/25/2026

The Ripon Historical Society is commemorating Memorial Day by honoring local Vietnam War casualties and sharing the stories of Ripon-connected veterans Daniel Kasten and Ronald Reilly. The article also highlights Ripon College alumni who died during the conflict.

05/15/2026

Read all about local sports history, dating back to the 1880s in this week’s Now & Then…

From Democrats vs. Republicans baseball games ending in ties to Ripon mail carriers routing Berlin rivals on the softball field, old Ripon Commonwealth Press clippings reveal the humor and hometown spirit of local sports history dating back to the 1880s.

05/08/2026

Did you know fraternal organizations once shaped daily life in Ripon? The Odd Fellows lodge, founded in 1869, provided aid, fellowship and community leadership for decades. Discover how this historic group left its mark on the city — and where its legacy still stands today.

05/02/2026

A 1965 centennial edition of the Ripon Commonwealth Press looked back on a century of local life, highlighting quirky stories and memorable moments. From a dog accidentally “calling” for help to debates over saloons, milk prices, and streetlights, the clips reflect everyday challenges and humor....

04/28/2026

From the collection: Quilt which hung in the Children's area of the Ripon Public Library, created by Judy Gauthier in honor of the library's 1999 renovation. The quilt is a representation of Emily Dickinson's poem, "Theirs is no frigate like a book." Gauthier is a well known author of quilting books, a creator of quilting fabric, and owner of Bungalow Quilting at 646 W Fond du Lac St., Ripon.

04/23/2026

Read all about Ripon’s smart horses in this week’s Now & Then in Ripon…

From AI-powered cars to “educated” horses—Ripon’s past reveals surprising intelligence on four legs. Long before driver-assist tech, horses like Billy delivered goods, slowed for fragile eggs, and even raced to fires on their own. A fascinating look at transportation then and now.

04/16/2026

Be sure to check out this week’s Now & Then about 150+ years of Ripon views from the air!

From hand-drawn bird’s-eye maps to modern drone footage, explore 150+ years of Ripon from above in this week's Now and Then. See history come alive in a new interactive museum display at the Ripon Historical Society.