Wrightstown Historical Society-Mueller Wright House Museum

Wrightstown Historical Society-Mueller Wright House Museum Collection of history on the Town & Village of Wrightstown Area. This includes Greenleaf, Askeaton and parts of Morrison, Glenmore & Little Rapids.

The Wrightstown Historical Society was founded in 1975 by Donald Smith. Today we are a very active group collecting and preserving Wrightstown area history. We manage and maintain the Mueller-Wright House Museum. Anyone wanting a free private tour, give us a donation for our museum or just share photos etc.. please feel free to contact us. We love sharing the history of our area.

In Fairview Cemetery, the tombstone of Philip Snyder features a Victorian Gothic Revival design. It includes a Gothic ar...
06/05/2026

In Fairview Cemetery, the tombstone of Philip Snyder features a Victorian Gothic Revival design. It includes a Gothic arch with floral carving. The rose is one of the most versatile symbols in cemetery art.
A fully bloomed rose on an elderly person's stone signifies a life fully lived and completed — unlike a broken rosebud, which signals early death. The rose here appears full and open, entirely appropriate for a man who reached 83 years. Roses represent Love and beauty that transcend death.
The large decorative leaves framing the rose represent the natural cycle of growth and return to earth. The laurel or maple shapes suggest honor and remembrance.
The Gothic trefoil shoulders represent the Trinity in the Christian faith. And you thought it was just a pretty design.

More Tombstone Symbolism: Fairview Cemetery features a tombstone bearing a fairly common symbol 100 years ago: clasped h...
06/04/2026

More Tombstone Symbolism:
Fairview Cemetery features a tombstone bearing a fairly common symbol 100 years ago: clasped hands. Clasped hands can signify a final farewell or a bond that endures beyond life and death.

The next two tombstones are in St. Patrick Catholic Cemetery in Askeaton. Both show a finger pointing upward. In Christian traditions, a finger pointing upward usually signifies that the soul is rising to heaven. It shows the belief that when someone dies, their soul is welcomed by God and goes to a peaceful, eternal place. This symbol brings comfort to grieving families, reminding them that their loved one's spirit has left the pain of this world and found peace in heaven.

Think tombstones are boring? Think again. They're packed with hidden symbols and centuries of artistic tradition. We are...
06/03/2026

Think tombstones are boring? Think again. They're packed with hidden symbols and centuries of artistic tradition. We are going to show you some in our local cemeteries.

In Fairview Cemetery at the top of the ledge in Greenleaf, the tombstone of Mary Cummings (1849-1907), who was married to Joseph Cummings (1833-1897-Civil War vet), is steeped in symbolism.

This style was popularized by the Modern Woodmen of the World fraternal organization, founded in 1883, which provided life insurance to its members and often paid for monuments of this type. The rough-hewn tree trunk symbolizes: A life cut short by a felled tree, no longer growing, a natural return because the body returns to the earth and rugged strength is the solid character of the deceased
The Open Bible (top)
Resting on the stump, the open book represents: The Word of God accompanying the deceased into eternity. A life lived by scripture with names and dates are inscribed on the pages
The Rope/Chain (wrapped around trunk) The coiled rope signifies: The ties that bind-family, community, fraternal brotherhood & Life's journey-a nautical reference to voyage
The Anchor (bottom) Is a powerful early Christian symbol meaning: Hope from Hebrews 6:19, "an anchor for the soul"
The Eagle and Shield (center) Civil War veteran status is the eagle over a shield was a common Union military emblem
Ivy (climbing the base) represents eternal friendship and memory. Ivy clings and never lets go.

A peek inside Barney Klister’s blacksmith shop, formerly located on Washington Street, where Fox River Auto is located. ...
06/02/2026

A peek inside Barney Klister’s blacksmith shop, formerly located on Washington Street, where Fox River Auto is located. The heart of a blacksmith shop was the anvil, which you can see front and center. This is where the blacksmith pounded metal into something useful. The sound of a hammer on an anvil was the sound of a working, thriving town. People heard it from the street. It meant the farmer's plow would be fixed, the wagon wheel repaired, and the horse shod. It was essentially the heartbeat of the community's productivity.

Happy Birthday June people. 15 more days until the deadline to submit names to the new community birthday calendar. Subm...
06/01/2026

Happy Birthday June people. 15 more days until the deadline to submit names to the new community birthday calendar. Submit unlimited birthdays, anniversaries or in menory of for free. Calendars with be $20 and available in August.

15 more days until the birthday calendar deadline. Please turn in your forms to us. We are really hoping to jump start t...
05/31/2026

15 more days until the birthday calendar deadline. Please turn in your forms to us. We are really hoping to jump start this and bring people together. Please consider participating--Its FREE and you can list as many brithdays, anniversaries or in memory of dates as you want.

Many households have this plate that was sold at the 1976 Bicentennial. No need to donate one to us, as it’s the most co...
05/31/2026

Many households have this plate that was sold at the 1976 Bicentennial. No need to donate one to us, as it’s the most common donation we get. Hard to believe it’s been 50 years!

The 1976 Bi-Centennial and Wrightstown Diamond Jubilee, of course, had a parade. The spirit of 1776 was alive and well i...
05/30/2026

The 1976 Bi-Centennial and Wrightstown Diamond Jubilee, of course, had a parade. The spirit of 1776 was alive and well in Wrightstown — patriotic, proud, and completely practical. Pretty sure this was Wrightstown Manufacturing’s float. Betsy Ross would have understood. In Wrightstown, you work with what you've got.

The 1976 bicentennial celebrated 200 years of the United States, and in Wrightstown, the festivities were heightened by ...
05/29/2026

The 1976 bicentennial celebrated 200 years of the United States, and in Wrightstown, the festivities were heightened by the dual celebration of the Village of Wrightstown's 75th anniversary. We even had “royalty.” John & Bridget VanDyke were the oldest couple in the village, so they were crowned the Diamond Jubilarians. Peggy Burns was the bicentennial queen after winning an essay contest.

This summer, the Village of Wrightstown celebrates its 125th anniversary. Fifty years ago, the village marked the countr...
05/28/2026

This summer, the Village of Wrightstown celebrates its 125th anniversary. Fifty years ago, the village marked the country's 200th anniversary — and at the time, Wrightstown itself was turning 75. The photo above shows the dedicated volunteers who devoted countless hours to planning that celebration, which was no small affair: a full week of activities, not just a single day. Many of these people are no longer with us, but their contributions to this community are not forgotten.
Now it's time to celebrate again! The Historical Society has been involved in the planning meetings, and we need YOUR help to make the August 15th event a success. The Wrightstown Fire Department is generously managing the food and drink tent — but they can't do it alone, and they deserve a chance to enjoy the day too. Please consider signing up to volunteer!https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4AAEA629ABF58-64053295-125yrvolunteer #/

Address

431 Washington Street P. O. Box 297
Wrightstown, WI
54180

Opening Hours

2pm - 5pm

Telephone

+19206198092

Website

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