Local News

Florence historical society makes plans for off season

Our Town Florence County

FLORENCE, Wis. -- The community can expect the Florence County Historical Society to remain visible, even during the off season.

The non-profit group plans to have a space at the Christmas in Florence event on Dec. 2 at the Florence County school. In addition to offering books and information on the museum, they will promote the society and its mission.

The Florence County Historical Society was founded in 1980, after the town and county's centennial celebration. But the museum at 207 Florence Ave. didn't open until 2007. So any bit of community exposure can help.

"We hope to get the attention of our local residents and draw their interest," FCHS President Karen Wertanen said. "This gives us visibility."

And as a small group that's getting older, it would be beneficial to perhaps draw in a few new members, Wertanen added.

Over the winter months, they have arranged to bring different museum items to the Florence Community Center, which also serves as the senior meal site.

"We hope to pique more interest and get people thinking about the museum," she said. "Just something to stay in touch with the residents and visitors."

Last year, Wertanen brought over their World War I helmet. "That got their attention and really had them talking," she said.

They have not yet decided on anything specific this winter, but items need to be small and easily portable.

FCHS Secretary/Treasurer Debbie DeMuri will continue to contribute to the Florence Mining News and the weekly "Back to Present" in The Daily News.

"This also gives us exposure while the doors of the museum are closed to the public," she said.

In preparation of the museum reopening on June 13, the society is already developing new ideas for displays and special events.

DeMuri will work this winter to assemble information for a virtual Cemetery Walk, highlighting important people from the county's past.

"We don't like to do an actual walk, due to the grounds in the cemeteries being very uneven and not safe," Wertanen said.

They will create a PowerPoint presentation they plan to show at a future social event.

The Florence Historic Building Guided Walk, highlighting more than 30 historical locations in the downtown district, will return next summer.

The 90-minute, roughly one-mile walks "have become pretty popular, so we want to continue them," Wertanen said.

The guidebook used for the event originally was developed by a Florence County High School geography class under the guidance of teacher Pam Smith. The tour booklet is available for $5 at the museum.

A FCHS member and their family member will donate a new speaker to be used for the walk. "It gets pretty loud with the traffic on Main Street and very hard to hear," she said.

The society is excited to be working with Florence County School District middle and high students on History Day. Participants will decide on a historical topic and develop it into a project that can be a documentary, exhibit, research paper or performance.

The students will be scored locally on their projects, with those who do well potentially moving on to a state-level event in the spring at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Those who qualify at state can advance to the national competition.

Wertanen noted this is only the second time they have sponsored the History Day competition.

Fourth-graders will also visit the museum, as well as the courthouse and old jail, one of only two historic jails left in Wisconsin. "The kids get a big kick out of it -- the cells are kind of intimidating," she said.

DeMuri, who also is their resident historian, will do a presentation in the classroom.

They will host a Veterans Recognition event honoring special guests June 14.

The Florence County Historical Society's only fundraiser each year is the annual Strawberry Social and Quilt and Craft Show, in conjunction with its quilt raffle. Next year's show is slated for July 13.

Wertanen thanked Rachel Egelseer for providing space for the museum, as well as allowing them to use the facilities for special functions.

Members plan to work as well on a new wall display and have considered featuring celebrations of the past, including Labor Day, the centennial anniversary, the all-school reunion in 2000 and local volunteer firefighters tournaments.

"We keep busy quietly during the winter," she said.

Some of the permanent displays at the museum include Hiram Damon "H.D." Fisher and family, who is considered to be the founding father of Florence County; the Heritage of Iron and Timber; and the military room.

"Young people love checking out the demonstrator of the open pit and shaft mining we have here," she said. "Many have not seen a mining operation."

The museum still has copies available of the "Heritage of Iron & Timber" book, she added.

The committee also welcomes artifacts, photographs, newspaper articles and ideas for events or exhibits. Wertanen encourages residents to reach out to the society before disposing of any potentially historical items, though she noted, "it is very difficult for us to take in large pieces, because we have limited space."

She invites those interested in the preservation of Florence County history to attend meetings, which take place on the second Tuesday of the month from March through November.

The museum is open from June through September. For more information on the museum or the historical society, go to the website at https://www.florencewihistory.org/ or to their Facebook page.