Minocqua Museum

09/17/2025

One week away! Don’t miss out on this unique event featuring a Minocqua History presentation by local historian Dan Scrobell. Only 10 seats left. Pay at the door. Call or text the number below to RSVP.

08/25/2025

This Thursday

08/19/2025

Guess where American Girl Dolls were born? Right here in Middleton, Wisconsin! How did this idea come to life?

Name your favorite doll in the comments.

Madison’s Pleasant Rowland was an educator and textbook publisher who had something of a brainstorm while visiting Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia. The historic site provided visitors with a vivid depiction of American history, but Rowland lamented that few children would ever have an opportunity to journey to Virginia. Wasn’t there a way she could help bring history alive for them?

Enter the American Girl doll. Rowland herself financed the production of the first six dolls in the American Girl series, each designed to educate youth about American history. Each doll was accompanied by a book detailing the character’s life and providing a history lesson about that era. The Kirsten Larson character, one of the first three dolls to be released, was a Swedish immigrant who settled in the Minnesota Territory in the 1850s.

In 1998, Rowland sold the company to Mattel for $700 million. American Girl was inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame in 2021.

📸: Kirsten Larson | Wisconsin Historical Museum object1988.15.1.1-.9A-B

08/19/2025

It may have been the railroad that brought the first tourists to the island city of Minocqua in the early 1900s, but it’s the boats that keep them coming back.

07/22/2025

07/22/2025

This Thursday at the Library

See you Thursday!

07/14/2025

Kids!
Come play with us!
Minocqua Museum
Every Tuesday in July

07/14/2025

07/08/2025

Bring the kids this morning! See the model train and play some games.
😀Free admission!😀