Mobile Museum Booth at the Midwest Horse Fair
April 17-19, 2020
***Update March 13: The Midwest Horse Fair has been canceled this year due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
We will have a booth set up right next to the blazing forges of the World Championship Blacksmiths Competition all weekend! The work of blacksmiths who served Native tribes through Indian Agencies in the early 19th century is a special focus.
Booth space donated by:
Living History Days: Civil War
August 8 and 9, 2020 | 10am to 4pm each day
MASK REQUIRED FOR THIS EVENT
This reenactment focuses on year 2 of the war (1862). Get your wristband at the visitor center and spend as much time with the reenactors throughout the day as you desire!They are passionate about what they do, and they have so much to share with you. They will be encamped outside and cordoned off in a way that is socially distanced but still allows for easy interaction with visitors. FREE for members. All others may attend the reenactment and tour the museum/house with regular paid admission.
Presentation at the Ice Age Trail Alliance Annual Conference
April 25, 2020
***Update March 17: The Ice Age Trail Alliance conference has been canceled this year due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
We will present, “The Agency House at the Portage: Geographic Intersection, Cultural Crossroads” at the Ice Age Trail Alliance conference in Stevens Point. Situated along the Ice Age Trail at the geographically-important area of the Portage, the Historic Indian Agency House became a cultural meeting ground where perceptions were challenged and transformed.
Saturday Morning History Hike
August 29, 2020 | 10:00 am
***Update: The date of this event has changed, and it is now a unique history walk instead of a nature walk.
MASK REQUIRED FOR THIS EVENT
The acreage surrounding the Agency House is not just a beautiful place to explore. It is steeped in rich and fascinating history. Join us for a guided history walk on our "Stories of the Land" trailway. Meet outside the visitor center at 10 am. Children may participate if accompanied by a responsible adult. The history walk is FREE, but a donation is greatly appreciated.
Archaeology Kids' Camp
NOW being offered FOR FREE ONLINE!
***Update April 9: The Archaeology Kids' Camps are no longer in-person camps due to the Coronavirus pandemic. However, we are now offering the camp for free online!
Children will learn hands-on what it takes to be an archaeologist. Originally, this STEM-based camp was offered to kids in grades 3 through 5 with pre-registration and a small fee required. However, our camp will now be offered for FREE online to any students, teachers, and families who are interested! The Historic Indian Agency House and Alliant Energy are committed to providing this opportunity for our community (local, national, and even worldwide) as a way to assist and support teachers and families as schools are closed during the pandemic. Please enjoy this educational opportunity with our compliments!
Sponsored by:
Second Cup Conversation
September 17, 2020 | 9:00 am
ONLINE EVENT
The Powder Magazine historic site in Charleston, South Carolina, is hosting “relaxed discussions of Great American Treasures and more!” The Historic Indian Agency House will be featured live via ZOOM at 9 a.m. (CST). To join in this FREE online discussion, or any others in their series, RSVP to Info@PowderMag.org, and they will send you the link.
Living History Day: 1830s
September 19, 2020
MASK REQUIRED FOR THIS EVENT
This reenactment is scaled back quite a bit from what was originally planned due to the pandemic, but it will absolutely be worth your while to come out and learn from two well-versed reenactors who love to share 1830s history! They will be portraying general day-to-day life in the 1830s. The reenactors will be cordoned off in a way that is socially distanced but still allows for easy interaction with visitors. FREE for members. All others may attend the reenactment and tour the museum/house with regular paid admission.
Opening Day / Ribbon Cutting
June 6, 2020
***Update April 9: The Opening Day Celebration date has been moved to June 6 due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Take a tour of the Agency House on our first open day of the season! We will also be holding a ribbon cutting ceremony as we unveil our brand new "Crossroads" exhibit in the visitor center. Please be sure to check out our Covid-19 policies before you come for an in-person tour. We look forward to seeing you!
On-site Fundraiser
Season-long
As a fundraiser for the continued preservation of the Agency House, we are selling surplus pieces of the actual bricks that were removed from inside the Agency House's walls during its 2012 restoration. Own a piece of history, and help us preserve this valuable historic site for generations to come!
Cemetery Walk Premiere
September 19, 2020 | 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
MASK REQUIRED FOR THIS EVENT
The Portage Historic Preservation Commission will premiere their 2020 cemetery walk on a large outdoor screen on our lawn. The annual performance, which is virtual this year due to COVID-19, will be shown throughout the day before it is released for online viewing. This 55-minute film features seven individuals who have been interred in Portage’s Silver Lake Cemetery. The Historic Preservation Commission also plans to have a booth on-site where you may chat with Commission members and pick up free goodies, such as historic Portage coloring books. This event is FREE for all. (Note that this event takes place the same day as our 1830s Living History Day.)
Half-Price Weekend
September 26-27, 2020 | 10-4 Sat and 12-5 Sun
MASK REQUIRED FOR TOURS
Enjoy a half-price tour of the museum and historic house this weekend!
Summer Speaker Series
July 7,14,21,28, 2020 | 6:30 pm
MASK REQUIRED FOR THESE EVENTS
If we move indoors due to rain, participant numbers may be limited to first come-first served in order to maintain safe social distancing.
Join us every Tuesday night in July for some fascinating talks. Admission is free! Bring a lawn chair, a mask, bug spray, and eager anticipation of a wonderful evening!
July 7: Author Ann Keating (online presentation—registration
required) / You may purchase her book in our gift shop and read it ahead of time.
July 14: John Wackman: Historic-era Archaeology (outdoors)
July 21: Constance Arzigian: Prehistoric Archaeology (outdoors)
July 28: Adam Novey: Indian Agency Blacksmiths (outdoors)
Co-sponsored by:
Living History Days: Encore
September 26-27, 2020 | 10:00 am to 4:00 pm each day
***Update September 13: This event has been canceled due to an unforeseen change in the reenactors' availability.
The Historical Timekeepers, who were here in August, are returning for an encore 1860s living history reenactment. This encampment will be relatively informal in tone as the reenactors are using this opportunity to sharpen their skills. They love questions, so come prepared to interact!
Autumn Guided History Hike
October 3, 2020 | 8:00 am
MASK REQUIRED FOR THIS EVENT
If you missed our summer hike (or if you’d simply like to experience it again), join us for a morning guided history hike amidst autumn colors through areas of great historical significance. We will hike our Stories of the Land trail and highlight many of the fascinating stories connected to the soil beneath our feet. Children may participate if accompanied by a responsible adult. Meet outside the visitor center by 7:45 a.m. Insect repellant and bottled water are recommended. This event is FREE, but donations are appreciated.
Community Archaeology Dig
July 18-19 and July 25-26, 2020
MASK REQUIRED FOR THIS EVENT
Come and work alongside real archaeologists as we search for the 1830s Agency blacksmith shop. Pre-registration is strongly recommended. Reserve your dig time(s) through our archaeology dig web page.
Sponsored by:
Blacksmithing Demonstrations
July 18-19 and 25-26, 2020
MASK REQUIRED FOR THIS EVENT
Live blacksmithing demonstrations are planned to coincide with our Community Archaeology Dig weekends. Explore the history and techniques of blacksmithing as we endeavor to locate and excavate the 1830s Agency blacksmith shop!
Election of 1832
October 3, 2020
***Update July 3: This event has been canceled due to the Coronavirus pandemic. We hope to try again next year.
Meet the presidential candidates of the 1832 election.
Portage Center for the Arts has generously offered its facilities for this performance.
Kiddie Christmas
December 12, 2020 | 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
What fun! An outdoor treasure hunt! Bring along a bag to collect your goodies as you follow the clues…and learn a little history along the way. Drop in any time between 1 and 3 pm. Start just outside the visitor center where you’ll receive your first clue, and you’ll be off on your adventure! The cost is FREE, but a donation would be very much appreciated. Recommended for kids ages 5 through 12. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.