Stoughton Historical Society and Museum

07/11/2025

SALE TODAY At the depot from 9-1

06/27/2025

We have various things from our collection for sale at the depot. Larger items will be moved to storage in mid July.

The sale will be held on Friday July 11 , 9-1

Please visit our webpage for pictures and information in the events section of stoughtonhistoricalsociety.org

05/26/2025

Memorial Day 2025. God Bless all who served and sacrificed for our freedom.

05/12/2025

Per Lysne’s art is on display throughout the museum along with other local artists.

05/01/2025

The museum opens for the 2025 season on Syttende Mai weekend.

We have several new displays, including railroad items and farming tools

We have acquired many Stoughton High School year books from 1916-1990s.
Come and take a look!

Our weekend hours:
Friday May 16 1-5pm

Saturday May 17 10am-5pm

Sunday May 18 11am-1pm 3pm-5pm

Open Saturdays 11am-3pm May through Labor Day or by appointment

We are located at 324 South Page Street
Stoughton , Wisconsin

04/20/2025

"Snurpa of Stoughton" -a Memoir of Marion Swenson Kundiger's Childhood and Young Adulthood 1918-1940

Written by Marion Kundiger with her daughter, Jerri Garretson

This book is available through Amazon Books

Please visit our webpage for more on this book: stoughtonhistoricalsociety.org

02/18/2025

H.W.Hale, married to Ellen Isham, first owned a dry goods store on the NW corner of Main and Forrest Streets. Mr. Hale, in conjunction with Mr. A. H. Lund, decided to erect a larger, modern building to meet their needs at 154 West Main Street. The building is a 44x100 foot structure with several floors.

Mr. Hale's son Percy ( PI Hale), took over the business in 1891. Percy and his wife Harriet resided at 215 North Fourth Street with their 3 daughters.

"His stock of dry goods is as nearly perfect as can be, made possible within this trade territory and his relative position in the public estimation is that of an introducer of the most fashionable and novel inn the lines he handles. His stock consists of dry goods, ladies furnishings, carpets, clocks, toiletries, etc. He is one of the most prominent and esteemed of the town's commercial community and has an unassuming personality"

From 'Main Street 1898' Story

01/31/2025

The Stoughton Historical Society has some very difficult decisions ahead of us with the Depot museum removal slated for July 25, 2025.
It is true that our organization expressed concerns about the reality of owning another landmark with the uncertainty of the Chamber's commitment to the depot for their offices.
It is also true that discussions of the Stoughton Historical Society to buy the depot, with a generous grant from the Bryant Foundation, was stonewalled with a MOU agreement between the city and the Smet Foundation. Our verbal offer, verified by our lawyer, with the City's lawyer, could not be addressed until after April 9, 2025.
The first Smet proposal was tabled by our City Council on January 14, allowing us to do our presentation on January 22.
We are thankful for that.
At that meeting, we requested to slow down the process so all parties involved could have a conversation on what would be the best solution to enhance the Arts District proposal and continue a relationship with the Chamber and Stoughton Historical Society.

We requested a meeting on either January 29, 30, or 31st. The Smet Foundation submitted another proposal on January 24 and voting was on January 28. It passed.

Misinformation continues. Other buildings, like Stoughton's first depot, directly across the street-were never contacted. We were told they were.
The Stoughton Historical Society has always supported the Depot Hill Revitalization plan, we just wanted to be part of it.
This could have been a win for all, but instead it turned into an unfortunate Power Play.

Nancy Hagen,
Stoughton Historical Society President

Send a message to learn more

01/29/2025

Last night, January 28, the Stoughton City Council voted to accept an offer from the Smet Foundation, to buy the railroad depot.

We thank all the people who spoke on our behalf and supported us at the recent meetings.
Moving forward, we will begin the task of deciding what to do with the artifacts on display in the depot.

01/23/2025

Thank you to everyone who attended the meeting last night!

We had a good discussion about the future of the depot and will keep everyone updated in the coming weeks.