Winnebago County Historical Society

06/17/2026

Tonight at the Morgan House!

Join us this evening from 6:00–8:00 PM for a special Morgan House Open House at 234 Church Ave., Oshkosh.

Explore our temporary exhibit, "We Stand on Their Shoulders," and discover the powerful story of the Women's Suffrage Movement, including the important role Wisconsin—and Oshkosh women—played in the fight for voting rights.

Learn about the determination and advocacy of the women who helped shape our nation and paved the way for future generations.

Admission is free, and donations are appreciated to help preserve and share local history.

Who are the women whose shoulders you stand on? We invite you to reflect, learn, and share their stories with us.

Morgan House Museum
6:00–8:00 PM
234 Church Ave., Oshkosh

Bring a friend and step into history with us tonight!

06/16/2026

The Way We Were
16 June 1895 – The Oshkosh Times
THE WEBSTER BLOCK
“Work on the new three-story brick block being erected on the corner of Church and Main Street by Mr. Webster is progressing rapidly and it is expected the building will be completed by September 1. There will be four stores on the ground floor, offices on the second floor, and on the third floor, a large hall for dancing and other purposes. The corner store has been leased to Chicago parties, who it is stated will establish a food store. One of the other ground floor rooms will be occupied by William Luessen, the barber. The other two stores have not yet been leased.”
The Winnebago County Historical Society and historian Dean W. Sandeman produced a series of radio spots called "The Way We Were" in 2002-03 to commemorate the city of Oshkosh's 150th anniversary. As we celebrate the semiquincentennial of the United States, we share those stories again.

06/16/2026

Step into the story of the women who helped shape history.

Join us for a special Morgan House Open House on Wednesday, June 17, from 6:00–8:00 PM at the Morgan House, 234 Church Ave., Oshkosh, and explore our new temporary exhibit, "We Stand on Their Shoulders."

This exhibit explores the history of the Women's Suffrage Movement and highlights the important role Wisconsin—and Oshkosh women—played in the fight for voting rights. Discover the stories of determination, advocacy, and perseverance that helped pave the way for future generations and changed our nation.

Learn how local women contributed to a movement that continues to inspire us today, and reflect on the individuals whose courage opened doors for others.

Admission is free, and donations are always appreciated to help preserve and share local history.

Who are the women in your life whose shoulders you stand on? Share their names or stories in the comments below. 👇

We hope you'll join us as we honor the women whose shoulders we stand upon.

06/15/2026

𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗔𝗺 𝗜?

My interests extended far beyond business.

During World War II, I traveled across the country helping organize patriotic talent shows that raised funds for local causes. Later, I helped women establish beauty shops of their own.

I also believed strongly in education, leadership, and community involvement. In 1963, I served as president of the Jessie Jack Hooper Delphian Society and spent many years supporting civic organizations throughout Oshkosh.

I even helped establish the first Women's Health Club at the YMCA.

Who am I? 🌹

Send a message to learn more

06/14/2026

Thank You for Making Pie on the Porch a Success!

What a wonderful day at the Morgan House! Yesterday’s Pie on the Porch celebration brought together history, community, and plenty of delicious pie as we celebrated America’s 250th Birthday.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to everyone who helped organize this event and to all of our incredible volunteers who gave their time, energy, and enthusiasm to make the day such a success. From setting up tables and greeting guests to taking pie orders, running activities, giving tours, educating visitors about the Morgan family and their beautiful home, and cleaning up at the end of the day—your dedication made all the difference.

A special thank you to our talented pie bakers whose homemade creations delighted visitors throughout the day. The pie slices and whole pies were a tremendous hit!

We would also like to extend our sincere appreciation to the local veterans who shared their knowledge during the presentation on the history of the American flag and flag etiquette. Your service and willingness to educate our community made the day even more meaningful.

Most importantly, thank you to everyone who attended, toured the Morgan House, explored our exhibits, and spent part of their day with us. Events like these remind us that history is best experienced together.

We couldn’t do it without all of you. Thank you for helping keep local history alive! ❤️

06/14/2026

Flag Day has long held a special place in Oshkosh, Wisconsin’s history and community traditions.

Each year, residents have marked Flag Day with patriotic pride—often featuring flag-raising ceremonies, community gatherings, school programs, and local celebrations that honor the meaning and history of the American flag. Oshkosh has been part of the broader Wisconsin tradition that helped inspire the very idea of Flag Day, thanks to early advocates like Bernard Cigrand.

In many years past, local schools and civic groups would teach students about the flag’s origins, lead pledges, and display red, white, and blue throughout the community. Civic organizations, veterans’ groups, and residents often came together to reflect on the values the flag represents—unity, sacrifice, and shared identity.

These local observances connect Oshkosh to a much larger story that began in Wisconsin and grew into a national tradition. Flag Day was first officially recognized in 1916 and later established permanently by Congress in 1949.

As we look toward America’s 250th birthday in 2026, these traditions feel even more meaningful. They remind us how communities like Oshkosh helped shape the story of the United States—and continue to keep it alive through education, reflection, and celebration.

From neighborhood flags flying high to community pride on display, Oshkosh continues to honor the spirit of Flag Day in ways both simple and meaningful. 🇺🇸

06/13/2026

Come on down to the Morgan House for Pie, House tours, patriotic crafts, Victorian yard games and the Veteran's presentation is at 1pm
We hope to see you soon!

06/12/2026

Tomorrow is the day!

We're excited to welcome everyone to the Morgan House for Pie on the Porch, our first Open House of the summer, and a special celebration of America's 250th Birthday!

The volunteers have been busy preparing, the pies are coming together, and we can't wait to share this wonderful day with our community.

Join us tomorrow, Saturday, June 13, to:

Tour the historic Morgan House beginning at 9:00 AM

Enjoy delicious pie beginning at 11:00 AM (pie slices and whole pies available for purchase)

✨ Explore TWO exciting exhibits:
• We Stand on Their Shoulders – celebrating the women who fought for voting rights
• The White House's Founders Museum: The Road to Liberty – a special traveling exhibit exploring the people and events that shaped our nation

Attend a special presentation at 1:00 PM by local veterans on the history of the American flag and proper flag etiquette

Enjoy Victorian yard games, a patriotic craft, and a relaxing afternoon on the grounds of the Morgan House

Admission is free, and donations are always appreciated.

Morgan House
234 Church Ave, Oshkosh
9:00 AM–3:00 PM
Rain or shine

We hope you'll join us for a slice of pie, a little history, and a great day with friends, family, and community. See you tomorrow!

06/11/2026

🎉 Great News! 🎉

Due to the tremendous interest in our exhibit, "We Stand on Their Shoulders: A History of Wisconsin Women and Voting," we're excited to announce that it will remain at the Morgan House longer than originally planned!

This inspiring exhibit explores Wisconsin's role in the fight for women's voting rights, the leaders who helped shape history, and the continuing story of civic participation in America. Thanks to an extended loan period, you'll have even more opportunities to experience this powerful exhibit.

Upcoming Exhibit Viewing Dates:

• June 13 | 9:00 AM–3:00 PM (during Pie on the Porch)
• June 17 | 6:00–8:00 PM
• June 27 | 9:00 AM–Noon

• July 3 | 6:00–8:00 PM
• July 11 | 9:00 AM–Noon
• July 15 | 6:00–8:00 PM
• July 25 | 9:00 AM–Noon
• July 29 | 6:00–8:00 PM

Discover the stories of the women who helped expand voting rights and shape our democracy. We hope you'll join us at the Morgan House to explore this fascinating chapter of Wisconsin history.

Morgan House
234 Church Ave, Oshkosh

Admission is free; donations are welcome and help support the preservation of the Morgan House and future historical programming.

Please help us spread the word by sharing this post with friends and family who love history!

06/10/2026

The Way We Were
10 June 1919 – Wisconsin Firsts
by Helen Simpson

🇺🇸 WISCONSIN: FIRST STATE TO RATIFY THE 19TH AMENDMENT

On June 10, 1919, the Wisconsin Legislature ratified the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, granting women the right to vote. Although the amendment did not officially take effect until August 1920, Wisconsin's ratification documents were the first to arrive in Washington, D.C., earning Wisconsin recognition as the first state to ratify the amendment.

One of the leading advocates for women's suffrage was Oshkosh resident Jessie Jack Hooper, who was active in political circles and lobbied extensively for voting rights. Hooper, the wife of Ben Hooper and daughter-in-law of prominent Oshkosh attorney Moses Hooper, played an important role in the movement that helped secure voting rights for women. Her home still stands on Algoma Boulevard today.

As we commemorate this important milestone, we invite you to visit the Morgan House and explore our new exhibit, "We Stand on Their Shoulders: A History of Wisconsin Women and Voting." The exhibit examines the struggle for women's suffrage, Wisconsin's role in the movement, the political advancements of women after the ratification of the 19th Amendment, and the continuing evolution of voting rights in America.

Join us in remembering the women whose determination and perseverance helped shape our democracy—and whose legacy continues to inspire future generations.
Come see this exhibit on Saturday June 13th from 9am-3pm
and Saturday June 27th 9am-Noon
Stay tuned for more possible dates......