Burlington Historical Society Museum

Burlington Historical Society Museum The Burlington Historical Society of Burlington, Wisconsin, was established in 1928 to collect and preserve historical records and artifacts.

Our mission is to preserve the history of Burlington for future generations. Annual membership dues and donations go towards maintaining the Historical Society owned buildings and sites in the Burlington area. These properties include the Historical Society Museum (built in 1883), the Whitman School (built in 1840), the Pioneer Log Cabin (located in Wehmhoff Square), and several others. The Societ

y also contributes to historical restoration projects around the Burlington area, such as the refurbishment of our one-of-a-kind Abraham Lincoln Statue, located at the intersection of Kane Street and State Street.

Prior to McDonald's restaurant relocating their store from Dodge St. over to Jefferson St., that side of the block along...
09/02/2026

Prior to McDonald's restaurant relocating their store from Dodge St. over to Jefferson St., that side of the block along Jefferson St. was occupied by a White Flash gas station which was later the "Pharmacy Station" which had a drug store, gifts and gas.

At the present day location of the Archives Bar and Grill on Pine St. was an earlier building that was occupied by The P...
09/01/2026

At the present day location of the Archives Bar and Grill on Pine St. was an earlier building that was occupied by The Palace Bar & Restaurant.

It had a bar and eating area in one portion of the building and a 4 lane bowling alley on the south portion. The first photo shows that building as it looked in 1952.

In 1985, a fire destroyed the building and it was razed and rebuilt without the bowling facility as shown in the second photo.

Only $1.10 for a case of Beer -This historic document from the archives of the Burlington History Museum is a ledger for...
09/01/2026

Only $1.10 for a case of Beer -

This historic document from the archives of the Burlington History Museum is a ledger for the sale of monthly orders of cases of Finke-Uhen Export Beer.

The beer was sold to Christ Gehab who had a grocery store back then on Pine St. The sale dates were from 1912 to 1914.

The Finke-Uhen Brewery was located on McHenry Street across from the Burlington Hospital parking lot.

Nearly 50 years ago a fire devastated St. Mary Catholic Church on McHenry Street.Neighbors were awakened in the early ho...
08/31/2026

Nearly 50 years ago a fire devastated St. Mary Catholic Church on McHenry Street.

Neighbors were awakened in the early hours of a Sunday morning in July of 1977 to see this Burlington landmark in flames.

These 35mm slide photos from the Burlington Historical Society archives show some street scenes of the fire that early morning.

These photos from the archives of the Burlington History Museum are from 35mm color slides that were taken in the 70's a...
08/29/2026

These photos from the archives of the Burlington History Museum are from 35mm color slides that were taken in the 70's and 80's of the Chestnut St. "Loop" area.

The first 2 show that area as it looked for many years prior to "reconstruction" projects that later took place along Chestnut St.

The other 3 slides were after the first "re-make" of the sidewalks and curb lines.

You may remember some of those businesses that were there at the time.

With the recent plans to renovate the Burlington Public Library, I thought visitors here would like to view some miscell...
08/27/2026

With the recent plans to renovate the Burlington Public Library, I thought visitors here would like to view some miscellaneous photos taken around the time of the library building addition and dedication that took place in the summer of 1987.

You may recognize many of the persons in these photos.

This 1950 photo shows a view of the Nestle Milk plant that was on the south side of E. Chestnut St. near the White River...
08/24/2026

This 1950 photo shows a view of the Nestle Milk plant that was on the south side of E. Chestnut St. near the White River. They made and canned condensed milk.

Those buildings were purchased by the Burlington Mills Co. in 1950 and years later were razed to make way for the downtown redevelopment project.

The 2nd photo shows that part of the downtown area as it is today.

Burlington businessman William Liggett opened the Royal Palm Club in 1940 on Cedar Drive at the north side of Browns Lak...
08/23/2026

Burlington businessman William Liggett opened the Royal Palm Club in 1940 on Cedar Drive at the north side of Browns Lake.

It was part of the earlier Antlers Resort which had their main complex on the north shore of the lake that included the Holiday Inn Resort and the Marine Room.

In later years, the lakefront portion was converted to a "Halfway House" called the Stepping Stone.

This Standard Press ad for 2 new homes for sale was in a 1925 newspaper.Luetten & Schwartz had a very active constructio...
08/22/2026

This Standard Press ad for 2 new homes for sale was in a 1925 newspaper.

Luetten & Schwartz had a very active construction business in Burlington some years ago.

Do either of these houses look familiar to any visitors here?

Address

232 N Perkins Boulevard
Burlington, WI
53105

Opening Hours

9am - 12pm

Telephone

(262) 767-2884

Website

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