DeForest Area Historical Society

DeForest Area Historical Society The mission of the DeForest Area Historical Society is to preserve, celebrate, and share the heritage of the area.

Today's the first day of the new school year for kids in the DeForest Area School District. The first day brings back m...
09/01/2026

Today's the first day of the new school year for kids in the DeForest Area School District. The first day brings back memories for many of us - new shoes, new book bags, new teachers, and some butterflies in the tummy!

Here's a blast from the past: a kindergarten class from DeForest Grade School back in 1965-1966.

DeForest Grade School was built in the 1950s and served thousands of students and staff in the DeForest Area School District. In May 2017 the school was closed and demolished to make way for a new Eagle Point Elementary School. It re-opened the next fall. Alumni records indicate the Eagle Point name was in use by the early 1960s.

Apologies for note posting both dates on the Harvey farm photos! This photo documention clears up the date question: th...
09/01/2026

Apologies for note posting both dates on the Harvey farm photos! This photo documention clears up the date question: the aerial photo is circa 1980 and the house photo is circa 1890.

Oops. It was not false advertising - we just used the wrong word!You may have noticed that we said that the carriage ho...
08/31/2026

Oops. It was not false advertising - we just used the wrong word!

You may have noticed that we said that the carriage house at the Hansen-Newell-Bennett House Museum will be open for viewing at our September 13 Open House.

But there is no carriage house! There was a one behind the home at one time, but what we called the carriage house is really a two-car garage. This doesn't mean that it's not packed with interesting stuff! There's even a surrey.

Come to our Open House Day at the Hansen-Newell-Bennett House Museum and DeForest Railroad Depot on Sunday, September 13 from 1:00 - 4:00 pm. Volunteers will be at both buildings to show you around and answer questions. There's no cost for these tours, but donations are appreciated.

Come and learn about our area's history!

Volunteering for our Historical Society doesn't always mean just taking in new donations, organizing old photos, and set...
08/30/2026

Volunteering for our Historical Society doesn't always mean just taking in new donations, organizing old photos, and setting up displays. Sometimes it means digging in the dirt!

At our monthly meeting a couple of weeks ago, someone mentioned that the flagpole at the Lyster House on Market Street had been damaged in a storm a while ago. It needed to be removed.

Within a couple of days, volunteers Carl and Larry brought their shovels and other tools and got right at it. The pole was taken down, the cement removed, and the hole was filled in.

Good job, guys! We appreciate your hard work.

Maybe this photo was taken on a lovely August afternoon. This family farm has been around for many decades. Do you rec...
08/29/2026

Maybe this photo was taken on a lovely August afternoon.

This family farm has been around for many decades. Do you recognize the Harvey farm on the corner of Vinburn and Portage Roads?

The note on the back of the aerial photo says circa 1980.

Here's a throwback to 1968 and days of fun and adventure for this group of Cub Scouts.This picture is part of our photo ...
08/27/2026

Here's a throwback to 1968 and days of fun and adventure for this group of Cub Scouts.

This picture is part of our photo archives.

Oh my! Back in the day we wouldn't have even talked about unmentionables, let alone shown you a picture!This corset cov...
08/25/2026

Oh my! Back in the day we wouldn't have even talked about unmentionables, let alone shown you a picture!

This corset cover is made of white cotton and has a delicate crocheted lace yoke and an adjustable drawstring hem.

This item was found in our textile collection.

August is not a time for thinking about long underwear, but we recently received this box, which at one time contained a...
08/16/2026

August is not a time for thinking about long underwear, but we recently received this box, which at one time contained a union suit, as part of a donation to our Historical Society.

The box did not contain a union suit, but held beautiful Valentine's cards from the early 1900s, which we'll show you in February. šŸ„°

We thought the box (in excellent condition) and its design were really interesting and eye-catching! It originally held Kenosha Klosed Krotch Union Suits made by the Cooper Underwear Company. Around 1910, the new design of this one-piece undergarment became a massive commercial success for the S. T. Cooper and Sons Company of Kenosha.

And here's a brief bit of trivia...

Kenosha Klosed Krotch Union Suits helped launch the company toward becoming the modern Jockey International.

Last week a friend of our Historical Society brought items to donated from the Knudtson family. As always, it was fun to...
08/13/2026

Last week a friend of our Historical Society brought items to donated from the Knudtson family. As always, it was fun to look through the photographs from days past.

You may remember that Knute Knudtson lived in the house shown in this post, which still stands on South Main Street in DeForest. The ornate iron work was made by Mr. Knudtson. He was also the builder of the DeForest Railroad Depot.

Address

203 Library Street PO Box 124
De Forest, WI
53532

Opening Hours

Tuesday 9am - 11:30am
Thursday 9am - 11:30am

Telephone

+6088466698

Website

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