2021
Dugout Canoe 'Pop-Up' Burn
Friday, October 29 | 5:30 pm
Join us for an 'extra' canoe burn as we work on experimentally creating a fire-wrought dugout canoe using ancient methods.
Kiddie Christmas
Saturday, December 11, 2021 | 1 - 3 pm
Join us for our 15th annual Kiddie Christmas event. Our outdoor history treasure hunt was so popular last year, we're doing it again...but with all new clues and treasures. Bring a bag to collect your goodies. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Recommended for children ages 5-12. Drop in any time between 1 and 3 pm. Free event.
2022
Theme: "The Historic Landscape"
This section is under construction for our 2022 season. All dates and details are tentative. Please check back again.
March - May ~ Dates TBD
The landscape surrounding the 1832 Agency House was short-grass prairie. A several-acre remnant remains. Aldo Leopold optimistically reported in 1942 on the site's potential for prairie restoration. Keep an eye here and on Facebook for opportunities to help revitalize the prairie.
Historic Prairie Restoration
Early Spring
March - May
Saturday, May 14 ~ 1 pm
"A Landscape of Families" outdoor exhibit grand opening
Ho-Chunk Nation singers and dancers, as well as various speakers, will be a part of the exhibit dedication. The event is free.
Outdoor Exhibit
Grand Opening
Saturday, May 14
1 pm
Sunday. May 15 ~ 12 to 5 pm
Our 2022 season, themed on "The Historic Landscape," 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:
2022 Season
Sunday, May 15
12 - 5 pm
Sat-Sun, June 4-5 ~ 10 to 4
Learn about the Civil War era from the perspective of those living on the home front. Interact with skilled reenactors from the Historical Timekeepers group. This event is included in regular tour admission (member admission free). Start in the visitor center to receive your wristband.
Civil War Era
Living History
Sat-Sun, June 4-5
10 am to 4 pm
Friday, June 10 ~ 6 to 8 pm
Fire-wrought dugout canoe workshop: Adults and teens are invited to help us create a fire-wrought dugout canoe using ancient methods and tools. The canoe project began last year, and we are continuing to experiment and make progress. Listen to fascinating excerpts from Henry Schoolcraft's 1820 travel diary, too.
Dugout Canoe Workshop #1
Friday, June 10
6 to 8 pm
Saturday, June 11 ~ 10 am
On June 14, 1777, the USA adopted the stars-and-stripes as its official flag, which has flown as a symbol of our nation and all that it stands for over the past 245 years.
Join us for the Pledge of Allegiance at the flagpole at 10:00 and receive a free tour and 10% off your gift shop purchase today.
Flag Day
Commemoration
Saturday, June 11
10 am
Tuesday, June 14 ~ 6:30 pm
"The Historic Landscape" Speaker Series: Join us the 2nd Tuesday of the month through September for a wide array of engaging lectures.
Tonight, (TBA) kicks off the series with a talk on (TBA). Free event.
Speaker Series #1:
Speaker TBA
Tuesday, June 14
6:30 pm
Friday, June 17 ~ 6 to 8 pm
Fire-wrought dugout canoe workshop: Adults and teens are invited to help us create a fire-wrought dugout canoe using ancient methods and tools. The canoe project began last year, and we are continuing to experiment and make progress. Listen to fascinating excerpts from Henry Schoolcraft's 1820 travel diary, too.
Dugout Canoe Workshop #2
Friday, June 17
6 to 8 pm
Friday, June 24 ~ 6 to 8 pm
Fire-wrought dugout canoe workshop: Adults and teens are invited to help us create a fire-wrought dugout canoe using ancient methods and tools. The canoe project began last year, and we are continuing to experiment and make progress. Listen to fascinating excerpts from Henry Schoolcraft's 1820 travel diary, too.
Dugout Canoe Workshop #3
Friday, June 24
6 to 8 pm
Saturday, June 25 ~ 8:30 am
Enjoy an educational walk on our site's trails led by Agency House director and curator Adam Novey. Learn about the rich and fascinating history that happened on the soil beneath your feet. Meet at the visitor center at 8:15. Children may participate if accompanied by a responsible adult. Free event. (Donations appreciated)
Guided
History Hike
Saturday, June 25
8:30 am
Friday, July 8 ~ 6 to 8 pm
Fire-wrought dugout canoe workshop: Adults and teens are invited to help us create a fire-wrought dugout canoe using ancient methods and tools. The canoe project began last year, and we are continuing to experiment and make progress. Listen to fascinating excerpts from Henry Schoolcraft's 1820 travel diary, too.
Dugout Canoe Workshop #4
Friday, July 8
6 to 8 pm
Saturday, July 9 ~ 10:00 am
Join conservation specialist Tony Abate from Groundswell Conservancy on a riveting nature walk to explore the rebirth of our historic prairie following restoration activities in the spring. Meet at 9:45. Children may participate if accompanied by a responsible adult. Free event. (Donations appreciated)
Guided Nature
Walk (Prairie)
Saturday, July 9
10:00 am
Tuesday, July 12 ~ 6:30 pm
"The Historic Landscape" Speaker Series: Join us the 2nd Tuesday of the month through September for a wide array of engaging lectures.
(Tonight's lecture and topic TBA.) Free event.
Speaker Series #2:
Speaker TBA
Tuesday, July 12
6:30 pm
Sat-Sun, July 30-31 ~ 10 to 4
Enduring Skills Weekend is back by popular demand with even more to try! Try your own hand at more than 20 different historical skills from flint knapping to blacksmithing, hand quilting to 19th century tavern games, laundry on a washboard to 1800s social dancing, and so much more! Ages 5 through adult. Free event.
Enduring Skills
Weekend
Sat-Sun, July 30-31
10 am to 4 pm
Sat, July 30 ~ 11am, 1pm, 3pm
"Paddle Through Time" on the Fox River (which adjoins our land) with costumed reenactors in a Voyageur canoe! Learn hands-on what it was like to be a French Voyageur during the fur trade era. Funds raised will contribute to the continued preservation and operation of our historic site. Pre-registration is strongly suggested.
'Paddle Through
Time' Canoe Trips
Saturday, July 30
11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm
Sat-Sun, July 30-31 ~ 10 to 4
Fundraiser: Enjoy some yummy ice cream and a cool glass of lemonade during Enduring Skills Weekend. Funds raised will contribute to the continued preservation and operation of our historic site.
Ice Cream & Lemonade
Sat-Sun, July 30-31
10 am to 4 pm
Sat-Sun, August 6-7 ~ 10 to 4
Work alongside professional archaeologists as we continue our search for the 1830s blacksmith shop. Spectating is free. In order to participate in the dig itself, a membership is required. Pre-registration for dig time(s) is strongly suggested for this incredible opportunity to experience firsthand a real archaeological investigation.
Archaeological
Dig Weekend 1
Sat-Sun, August 6-7
10 am to 4 pm
Sat-Sun, August 6-7 ~ 10 to 4
Two weekends of live blacksmithing demonstrations are planned to coincide with our community archaeological dig. Explore the history and techniques of blacksmithing as we endeavor to locate the 1830s Agency blacksmith shop. Free event.
Blacksmithing
Demonstrations
Sat-Sun, August 6-7
10 am to 4 pm
Tuesday, August 9 ~ 6:30 pm
"The Historic Landscape" Speaker Series: Join us the 2nd Tuesday of the month through September for a wide array of engaging lectures.
(Tonight's lecture and topic TBA.) Free event.
Speaker Series #3:
Speaker TBA
Tuesday, August 9
6:30 pm
Sat-Sun, August 13-14 ~ 10-4
Work alongside professional archaeologists as we continue our search for the 1830s blacksmith shop. Spectating is free. In order to participate in the dig itself, a membership is required. Pre-registration for dig time(s) is strongly suggested for this incredible opportunity to experience firsthand a real archaeological investigation.
Archaeological
Dig Weekend 2
Sat-Sun, August 13-14
10 am to 4 pm
Sat-Sun, August 13-14 ~ 10-4
Come and watch a blacksmith at work. Explore the history and techniques of the trade as we endeavor to archaeologically locate the 1830s Agency blacksmith shop. Free event.
Blacksmithing
Demonstrations
Sat-Sun, August 13-14
10 am to 4 pm
Tuesday, Sept. 13 ~ 6:30 pm
"The Historic Landscape" Speaker Series: Join us for the final lecture in the series tonight. (Lecturer and topic TBA.) Free event.
Speaker Series #4:
Speaker TBA
Tuesday, September 13
6:30 pm
Saturday, Sept. 17 ~ 10 to 4
The Galena Living History Society will depict tavern days in frontier Wisconsin. The Indian Agency House functioned as a tavern—a lodging place for travelers—in the mid-1800s after Indian Subagent John H. Kinzie left to pursue other ventures. Step into living history and be a part of it all! Start in the visitor center to receive your wristband. Regular admission (free for members).
Experience a
Frontier Tavern
Saturday, September 17
10 am to 4 pm
Tentatively September 23-25
Scouts BSA "Camping & Cultures" Weekend: Earn the entire Historic Trails Award over the weekend. Camp, hike, do trail restoration, rebuild a chipoteke (traditional Ho-Chunk home), learn fascinating history, and more! Free event. Pre-registration required. Limit of 40 Scouts (plus chaperones).
Scouts BSA
Badge Weekend
Fri-Sun, Sept. 23-25
(Dates Tentative)
Saturday, Oct. 15 ~ 10 to 4
Free Admission Day! Celebrate with us as we commemorate the official grand opening of the Agency House as a museum 90 years ago on October 22, 1932. Today is also the final day that tours are available this season. Come out and enjoy!
Free Admission
Day - 90 years!
Saturday, October 15
10 am to 4 pm
Saturday, Nov. 5 ~ Time TBD
"Reflections" Join us for a community campfire with stories of remembrance and Native American flute music (recorded) on the 190th anniversary of the Ho-Chunk council at the Fort Winnebago Indian Agency House just prior to the commencement of forced removal the following spring. It is a time to contemplate the events that happened here and reflect on what might be learned. Free event.
"Reflections"
Campfire
Saturday, November 5
(Time TBD)
Saturday, Dec. 10 ~ 1 to 3 pm
16th Annual Kiddie Christmas Stay tuned for details!
16th Annual
Kiddie Christmas