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Monday 10am - 2pm Tuesday 10am - 2pm Thursday 10am - 2pm Friday 10am - 2pm

Neenah Historical Society

Name: Neenah Historical Society
Address: 343 Smith Street, Neenah, WI, 54956, US
Telephone: +19207290244

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Neenah Historical Society

Collecting, preserving and sharing the history of our community. The Neenah Historical Society was formed in January 1948 at the home of Helen Kimberly Stuart.

Our mission is to collect and obtain information about the history of Neenah, compile and preserve it in a suitable and permanent form, and to share our history with interested persons. Today, we have two buildings dedicated to serving our mission. The Hiram Smith Octagon House is our museum and archive space. The Ward House is our office, research library, and classroom. Please give us a call at

920-729-0244, message the page on Facebook, or email us at [email protected] if you have any questions. Additional information is also on our website: neenahhistoricalsociety.com

09/04/2026

In observance of Labor Day, the Neenah Historical Society will be closed on Monday, September 7th.

The image highlights the Labor Day parade on Sep 7, 1987 looking east on Wisconsin Ave.

09/03/2026

The Neenah Historical Society is pleased to sponsor a number of events for people to enjoy. We hope you can join us for some of these great events!

Step Into History: Wisconsin Winter Fun
The Neenah Historical Society is excited to host a stop on the Wisconsin Historical Society’s History Makers Tour Winter Fun Photo Opportunity. In the current exhibit at the Octagon House, you can learn about the toboggan sled that was attached to the Neenah Pool. To enhance this experience, we have partnered with the History Makers Tour to add a large-scale interactive display featuring a photo from the Wisconsin Historical Society’s archives. This opportunity is free and open to the public during the Neenah Historical Society’s normal hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 10-2. Will be up until the end of the Growing UP Neenah Exhibit

Stumbling Through History is back!
Join us for some lighthearted and fun history as we enjoy some of the Lion’s Tail best beverages.

Dates: 9/21, 10/19 -
6:00pm at the Lion’s Tail in Neenah
THE THEME FOR ALL THREE SESSIONS WILL BE NAUGHTY NEENAH.

Upcoming Library Talks:
*September will cover the history of the YWCA – September 17, 6:30pm
*October will be on Fame in Neenah - October 15, 6:30pm
*November will be Naughty Neenah Stories – November 19, 6:30pm

Please visit the Neenah Historical Society Website for more Information - https://www.neenahhistoricalsociety.com/programs-events

09/01/2026

On September 1, 1835, the settlement then known as Winnebago Rapids, now Neenah, was officially selected as the site of an agricultural and industrial mission for the Menominee Nation.

The mission was created following the 1831 Treaty of Washington, more commonly known as the Stambaugh Treaty. As part of the agreement, the U.S. government committed to providing facilities and instruction that would help the Menominee develop agricultural and industrial skills.

The project brought several important developments to Winnebago Rapids:

*A sawmill and gristmill were constructed along the waterway, marking the area's first large-scale use of water power for industry.

*Approximately 30 log buildings (known as block houses) were built for Menominee families as well as government-employed tradesmen and instructors, including blacksmiths, farmers, and mill operators. The image shows what a traditional block house looked like as part of the mission.

Although the mission itself was short-lived, ending as the Menominee moved farther west under later treaties, the cleared land and existing infrastructure attracted incoming settlers.

Because of this early government investment, Neenah bypassed the frontier settlement phase experienced by many other Midwestern communities. Instead, it began its growth with established mills, housing, and infrastructure already in place, setting up the foundation for the area's development.

08/31/2026

REMINDER - the deadline for passports is drawing near!
Passports will need to be submitted by Friday, 9/4.

Learn more about our community's indigenous, pioneer, and city history while visiting six local museums between Memorial Day & Labor Day. The museums are:

1. Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass
2. Bridge Tower Museum
3. Doty Cabin Museum
4. Hiram Smith Octagon House
5. Menasha Historical Society
6. R. Harder Gallery of Gems & Minerals (Jewelers Mutual Group)

Obtain stamps from at least four of the participating museums to enter for the Grand Prize Drawing on Friday, September 10th at 12:00pm! Stop by Neenah Parks & Rec office or email a photo of your passport with contact information to [email protected]

Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass

HarderGalleryofGems

08/27/2026

The Neenah Historical Society is pleased to sponsor a number of events for people to enjoy. We hope you can join us for some of these great events!

Step Into History: Wisconsin Winter Fun

The Neenah Historical Society is excited to host a stop on the Wisconsin Historical Society’s History Makers Tour Winter Fun Photo Opportunity. In the current exhibit at the Octagon House, you can learn about the toboggan sled that was attached to the Neenah Pool. To enhance this experience, we have partnered with the History Makers Tour to add a large-scale interactive display featuring a photo from the Wisconsin Historical Society’s archives. This opportunity is free and open to the public during the Neenah Historical Society’s normal hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 10-2. Will be up until the end of the Growing UP Neenah Exhibit

Stumbling Through History is back!

Join us for some lighthearted and fun history as we enjoy some of the Lion’s Tail best beverages.

Dates: 9/21, 10/19 -

6:00pm at the Lion’s Tail in Neenah

THE THEME FOR ALL THREE SESSIONS WILL BE NAUGHTY NEENAH.

Upcoming Library Talks:

September will cover the history of the YWCA – September 17, 6:30pm
October will be on Fame in Neenah - October 15, 6:30pm
November will be Naughty Neenah Stories – November 19, 6:30pm

Please visit the Neenah Historical Society Website for more Information - https://www.neenahhistoricalsociety.com/programs-events

08/25/2026

As we kick off another exciting school year, let's take a moment to honor the rich history of education in our community!

The first picture is of the building at 410 Commercial Street which has been serving Neenah students since 1907—originally as Kimberly High School, then as our first junior high in 1929, and now as our district office. That's 119 years of educating generations of Neenah families.

From that first graduating class of just 9 students in 1877 to the thousands of Rockets who walk through our doors today, we're proud to continue this legacy of excellence.

Also pictured is the original St. Mary Catholic School in 1869. This photo was taken towards the end of the first St. Mary school year. The school opened in the fall of 1868 with forty German speaking students. That's an amazing 158 year history of providing education to our community!

Additional pictures are of former schools in Neenah. Can you identify any of these former schools?

Here's to another amazing year of learning, growing, and making memories!

St. Mary Catholic picture and information courtesy of https://www.smcatholicschools.org/about-smcs/history

08/24/2026

TONIGHT IS THE NIGHT!
Stumbling Through History is back!

History and happy hour make the perfect pairing! Join us tonight at Lion's Tail Brewing Co. for a lighthearted exploration of Neenah's past as we uncover the story of one of the city's most mischievous and controversial early attorneys. Come enjoy a beverage and discover a side of local history you may have never heard before.

6:00pm at the Lion’s Tail in Neenah.

08/20/2026

The Neenah Historical Society is pleased to sponsor a number of events for people to enjoy. We hope you can join us for some of these great events!

Step Into History: Wisconsin Winter Fun

The Neenah Historical Society is excited to host a stop on the Wisconsin Historical Society’s History Makers Tour Winter Fun Photo Opportunity. In the current exhibit at the Octagon House, you can learn about the toboggan sled that was attached to the Neenah Pool. To enhance this experience, we have partnered with the History Makers Tour to add a large-scale interactive display featuring a photo from the Wisconsin Historical Society’s archives. This opportunity is free and open to the public during the Neenah Historical Society’s normal hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 10-2. Will be up until the end of the Growing UP Neenah Exhibit

Stumbling Through History is back!
Join us for some lighthearted and fun history as we enjoy some of the Lion’s Tail best beverages.
Dates: 8/24, 9/21, 10/19 - 6:00pm at the Lion’s Tail in Neenah
THE THEME FOR ALL THREE SESSIONS WILL BE "NAUGHTY NEENAH".

Upcoming Library Talks:
September will cover the history of the YWCA – September 17, 6:30pm
October will be on Fame in Neenah - October 15, 6:30pm
November will be Naughty Neenah Stories – November 19, 6:30pm

Please visit the Neenah Historical Society Website for more Information - https://www.neenahhistoricalsociety.com/programs-events

Address

343 Smith Street
Neenah, WI
54956

Opening Hours

Monday	10am - 2pm
Tuesday	10am - 2pm
Thursday	10am - 2pm
Friday	10am - 2pm

Telephone

+19207290244

Website

http://www.neenahhistoricalsociety.com/

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