Octagon House Museum

Octagon House Museum Welcome to our historic 1855 Octagon House! Find events on our website: https://www.hudsonoctagonhouse.org/events-1

We open every summer for weekend tours, and offer regular history presentations, family activities, field trips, and more!

Today's Monday at the Museum honors those who have served, and those who served and never came back. "That Nation which ...
05/25/2026

Today's Monday at the Museum honors those who have served, and those who served and never came back.

"That Nation which respects and honors its dead, shall ever be respected and honored itself." - Lieut. -Col. Edmund B. Whitman, 1868.

Slide 1: Officers of the 44th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, ca. 1860. Civil War.

Slide 2: Members of the Third Regiment Wisconsin National Guard, ca. 1890

Slide 3: Parade honoring soldiers coming home from the Spanish-American War, ca. 1899

Slides 4 & 5: Hudson showing up to say goodbye to soldiers leaving to fight in WW1, ca. 1917 and 1918

Slide 6: Soldiers of the 812 Armored Battalion, ca. 1945, WW2

Museum Monday is here and we are so grateful for our beautiful gardens and the gardeners that built and continue to help...
05/18/2026

Museum Monday is here and we are so grateful for our beautiful gardens and the gardeners that built and continue to help build and maintain it.

When the Octagon House was built in 1855, it's been rumored there was an orchard on the North side of the house, and we know there was a kitchen garden where Mrs. Moffat grew food.

Two generations later, in the early 1900's - her grandson, John Moffat Hughes and his wife Margaret Ingram Hughes, decided to transform it from a kitchen garden to a flower garden. They added a little pond and other beautiful touches.

During the time since the Octagon House has been operated as a museum, it has been continuously and lovingly maintained by our dedicated volunteers.

Slide 1: Margaret Ingram Hughes in the garden ca. 1920

Slides 2 & 3: Pictures of the garden ca. 1920 with view of the pond and old gazebo

Slide 4: The rose bushes, which have been thriving since they were planted by John and Margaret Hughes when they lived in the house.

Slides 5, 6, & 7: Spring blooms in the current iteration of the gardens

Slide 8: The lilac bushes that flank the sidewalk in front of the house. Close to 100 years old, these are also from John and Margaret Hughes's original garden.

Oops! We've been so busy preparing for our summer 2026 opening and event lineup, that we forgot yesterday was Monday!Hap...
05/12/2026

Oops! We've been so busy preparing for our summer 2026 opening and event lineup, that we forgot yesterday was Monday!

Happy delayed Monday at the Museum! Today, we're excited to announce our Summer 2026 exhibit and all the exciting events we have planned.

From our sweeping new exhibit: Centuries: Pasts Known and Unknown, to TWO new Kids Making History camps, as well as multiple new events including monthly family hours, summer cemetery and archaeology tours, and so much more - we can't wait to see you in Summer of 2026.

Opening weekend is May 30 and 31 - registration and tickets for all Summer 2026 events and programs are live now on our website: http://www.hudsonoctagonhouse.org/events-1.

Almost tea time! 🫖🌺 We can’t wait to celebrate Mothers of every kind with fresh tea (courtesy of Grand Fete!), a two-cou...
05/08/2026

Almost tea time! 🫖🌺 We can’t wait to celebrate Mothers of every kind with fresh tea (courtesy of Grand Fete!), a two-course luncheon, raffle drawing, and special gift bags for every guest! 🌻

Our Mother’s Day Tea is SOLD OUT—but fear not! We’ve heard you and we will be planning more high teas in our historic museum this year! Keep an eye out for those announcements.

PS
Did you know you can rent the museum and our vintage china, and host your OWN tea?? 👀 Perfect for birthdays, showers, club meetings, business events, and more!

Visit every tour throughout the year with your punch card (print this flyer!) and win a special history prize! Questions...
05/07/2026

Visit every tour throughout the year with your punch card (print this flyer!) and win a special history prize!

Questions? Call or email Katie:
715-386-2654
[email protected]

Monday at the Museum - Today we are celebrating the life, work, and dedication of one of our own at the museum, LaVonne ...
05/04/2026

Monday at the Museum - Today we are celebrating the life, work, and dedication of one of our own at the museum, LaVonne McCombie, who passed away on April 26. LaVonne was a dear friend, and respected colleague and mentor.

Through the years she has contributed greatly to the Hudson Area History Connection (formerly the St. Croix County Historical Society) as a dedicated volunteer, Board member, Treasurer, Secretary, and President. Her deep knowledge of Hudson history and keen organizational skills lent a guiding hand to the many decision making processes of our organization. Without her, our museum would not be what it is today.

As Board members, volunteers, and staff, who have benefitted from her guidance and wise counsel, we will miss her greatly and cherish her with fond memory. We are deeply grateful for her loyal and diligent service. We are honored to preserve her work and history at our museum.

Services for LaVonne will be held Monday, May 4 (today) at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 1500 Vine St., Hudson, Wis. Visitation 12-1; Service at 1:00.
https://www.oconnellfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/lavonne-mccombie

Don't you think that hair is the most perfect thing to use to make jewelry and art? 💇‍♀️💍Well...even if you don't, the V...
05/01/2026

Don't you think that hair is the most perfect thing to use to make jewelry and art?
💇‍♀️💍

Well...even if you don't, the Victorians did! Read all about it in our NEW online exhibit, "Hairwork Through Life" by Museum Intern Madeline, featuring artifacts from our own museum collection.

Online exhibit: https://www.hudsonoctagonhouse.org/history-of-hairwork-digital-exhibit

There are still a few tickets left! This event was created by a mom, for moms of every kind, and their little ones. 💜We'...
04/30/2026

There are still a few tickets left! This event was created by a mom, for moms of every kind, and their little ones. 💜We'll have tea of course, but also games and activities for the little ones to get their wiggles out! 🌞Stuffies welcome too 🐻

Come join us!
https://www.hudsonoctagonhouse.org/event-details/mom-me-family-tea

Address

1004 3rd Street
Hudson, WI
54016

Opening Hours

Friday 11am - 4pm
Saturday 11am - 4pm
Sunday 11am - 4pm

Telephone

+17153862654

Website

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