Events
Events are subject to change. Please check back frequently.
2024 Theme: Trails
Come along on an important journey. Discover. Learn. Explore the theme of "Trails" with us through events, exhibits, speakers, a video documentary, and other programmatic offerings for children through adults. Then let the trails bring you back home with a greater understanding of the stories which have shaped our history.
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Free, Family-Fun Learning Materials
During the 2024 season, families with children and educators who visit for events or tours may pick up a printed and bound copy of our "Trails" learning guide for free. Funded in part by a grant from the Community Foundation of South Central Wisconsin and Mr. Dennis Grady.
Calendar of Events
A prairie landscape surrounded the 1832 Agency House. A several-acre remnant remains. Now in our third season of prairie restoration, we continue to need many hands to help! Keep an eye on Facebook for scheduled work days. Watch our progress on YouTube.
Historic Prairie
Restoration
January - May
with opportunities all season
Our season opens today. Be the first in line to enjoy an informative, engaging tour. We are open for tours Wednesday through Sunday each week through October 15.
Opening Day:
2024 Season
Wednesday, May 15
10 am to 4 pm
The Historical Timekeepers will be on-site adding "living history" ambiance to the physical setting of your tour. This event is included in regular tour admission. Those with Agency House memberships are admitted free.
Living History
Tours
Sat-Sun, June 1-2
10 to 4 Sat | 12 to 3 Sun
To celebrate National Trails Day, take a hike on our beautiful trail system!
National
Trails Day
Saturday, June 1
All Day
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Kids ages 5-10 will have a blast learning, exploring, and discovering! Registration is required (spaces are limited). Free. Each child will also receive a free backpack loaded with great explorer tools and resources!
Workshop Details & Preregistration
"Trails" Outdoor
Workshop for Kids
Sunday, June 9
1 to 3 pm
The Making of Pioneer Wisconsin: Voices of Early Settlers. Author Michael Stevens is Wisconsin State Historian Emeritus. Free event.
Speaker Series #1
Dr. Michael Stevens
Tuesday, June 11
6:30 pm
Work alongside professional archaeologists. Spectating is free. To dig, a membership is required. Pre-registration for dig time(s) is recommended. Kids get a free t-shirt, too. [What a fun thing to do with Dad & Grandpa on Father's Day weekend!]
Archaeological
Dig Weekend #1
Sat-Sun, June 15-16
10 am to 4 pm
Come and watch a blacksmith at work. Explore the history, tools, and techniques of the trade as we endeavor to archaeologically locate the 1830s Agency blacksmith shop. Free. [...a fun activity for Dad & Grandpa on Father's Day weekend!]
Blacksmithing
Demonstrations
Sat-Sun, June 15-16
10 am to 4 pm
Work alongside professional archaeologists. Spectating is free. To dig, a membership is required. Pre-registration for dig time(s) is recommended. Kids get a free t-shirt, too.
Archaeological
Dig Weekend #2
Sat-Sun, June 22-23
10 am to 4 pm
Come and watch a blacksmith at work. Explore the history, tools, and techniques of the trade as we endeavor to archaeologically locate the 1830s Agency blacksmith shop. Free.
Blacksmithing
Demonstrations
Sat-Sun, June 22-23
10 am to 4 pm
Demonstrations and exhibitions by Ho-Chunk artisans. Performance at 1:00 by the Wisconsin Dells Singers & Dance Troupe of the Ho-Chunk Nation. Free event. Event co-hosted by the Ho-Chunk Nation Museum and Cultural Center.
Ho-Chunk
Cultural Arts Day
Saturday, June 29
10 am to 4 pm
Back for a fourth year with fantastic hands-on experiences! Try your own hand at more than 20 historical skills (including lots of brand new stations + some favorite standbys) for ages five through adult. Free event.
Enduring Skills
Weekend
Sat-Sun, July 27-28
10 to 4 Sat | 12 to 3 Sun
Speaker Series #2
Dr. Rob Harper
Tuesday, August 13
6:30 pm
Sovereign Waterways: Indigenous Persistence and Wisconsin Rivers in the Nineteenth Century. Dr. Harper is Prof. of History and Native American Studies Coordinator at UW-Stevens Point. Free event.
Earn the entire Historic Trails Award over the weekend. Receive a free Native Peoples of Wiscon-sin book, too. Free event. Pre-registration required.
Scouts BSA Historic
Trails Weekend
Fri-Sun, Sept 6-8
Camping Event
Help us experimentally create a fire-wrought dugout canoe using ancient methods and tools. Pitch in with us hands-on, or come to observe and learn. Teens - adults. Free event.
RAIN DATE ACTIVATED: SATURDAY, SEPT. 7
Dugout Canoe
Workshop
Fri, September 6
5 to 7 pm
Speaker Series #3
Stephen Kantrowitz
Tuesday, September 10
6:30 pm
Citizens of a Stolen Land: A Ho-Chunk History of the 19th Century United States. Dr. Kantrowitz is Plaenert-Bascom Prof. of History & Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professor at UW-Madison.
Free event.
The Galena Living History Society will 'travel' with you on the trail of history, exploring our historic home's journey through time. Tours begin in visitor center 10-12 and 1-3. Regular admission (free for members).
Follow the House's
Trail of History
Saturday, September 21
10 am to 4 pm
Walk the 1.25-mi portage with us to commemorate the Ho-Chunk trail of forced expulsion. Speaker:Ho-Chunk Chief Clayton Winneshiek. Free. Rain date: Oct 5. Co-hosted by Ho-Chunk Museum. Mobility accommodations.
(Pronounced Wau-wau-ainja)
Wawa’ąįja
Walk
Saturday, September 28
10 am to 12 pm
Speaker Series #4
Dr. Patrick Jung
Tuesday, October 8
6:30 pm
The Old Military Road: An Historic Highway Winding Through a Bigger Story. Dr. Jung is Professor of History and Anthropology at Milwaukee School of Engineering.
Free event.
One of our volunteers has journeyed on a "trail" of her own as she discovered and explored her Métis heritage. Hear her personal story. Free event.
Speaker Series #5
Mary Ellen Miller
Tuesday, October 15
6:30 pm
Closing Day:
2024 Season
Sunday, October 13
12 to 5 pm
This season is dedicated in memory of...
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Cissy Van Dyke Scannell Bryson
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Marilyn Grady
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Nancy Kamlukin
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Donna Macie
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Carole Nye
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Edward (Ted) Rebholz
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Steven Sarbacker
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Polly Stone
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The Stone Family
and in honor of...
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Bobbie Goodman
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Dave & Sandy Gunderson
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Parker and Peylen Littlegeorge Kowalke
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Barbara J. Meyer
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Judge Daniel O'Connor
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Volunteers at HIAH
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Dr. Anne Vravick
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Barbara Zaiser
Thank you to those who are making this season's programming, exhibits, and preservation endeavors possible:
Grantors:
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Alliant Energy Foundation - Giving for Good
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C.D. Besadny Conservation Fund - Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin
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Chipstone Foundation
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Cissy VD Bryson Fund at the Greater Milwaukee Foundation in memory of Cissy Van Dyke Scannell Bryson
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Community Foundation of South Central Wisconsin
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Edward C. Lenz and June M. Lenz Charitable Trust
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George L. N. Meyer Family Foundation
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H.L. Palmer Masonic Angel Fund
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Kohler Foundation
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Museum at the Portage - Portage Historical Society
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National Society of Colonial Dames of America in the State of Wisconsin
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Portage Tourism - City of Portage
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William O'Connor and Krista Roys in honor of Judge Daniel O'Connor
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Wisconsin Federation of Museums
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Wisconsin Humanities
Business Sponsors:
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Terrytown Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling in honor of Parker and Peylen Littlegeorge Kowalke
...and all of you who help us meet our essential operational needs through your steadfast financial partnership.