Visitors are invited to tour the museum at 201 Florence Ave. from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday.

Guests will have the opportunity to explore new exhibits alongside the museum’s permanent collections, all of which help tell the story of Florence County.

“We are encouraging all area veterans or family members to attend this special event,” FCHS Secretary/Treasurer Debbie DeMuri said.

As a token of appreciation, each veteran who attends the opening day event will receive a special 2026 commemorative memento handcrafted by local artisan Cassandra Lipinski of Lipinski Works, Florence County Historical Society President Karen Wertanen said.

Florence County Historical Society President Karen Wertanen shows off one of the commemorative mementos handcrafted by local artisan Cassandra Lipinski of Lipinski Works. Each veteran who attends the opening Saturday will receive one as a token of appreciation for their service. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)

“These are beautiful,” she added.

After the museum visit, guests are invited to a lunch at the historic Webb-Judge House next door, hosted by Rachel and Don Egelseer.

Over the off-season, Historical Society members created several new displays for both the military room and the main museum gallery.

Additions to the military room include a display honoring women veterans, an exhibit tracing the history of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars in Florence County, and several newly acquired military artifacts.

Two local women veterans featured are Cora C. Kinnear, who served in the 8th Air Force Women’s Auxiliary Corps in England and Germany during World War II; and Cecilia F. Kosiba, who served in the Women’s Army Corps until 1965, completing tours of duty in India, Japan, Europe, Hawaii and throughout the United States.

The Florence County Historical Museum’s military room has exhibits on two women veterans with local ties, Cora Kinnear and Cecilia Kosiba. This is the Kosiba exhibit. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photos)

Kinnear returned to Florence after the war to continue her teaching career, retiring in 1977 after 29 years.

“She was quite a photographer — we have her albums that contain original photographs she took while serving overseas,” DeMuri said.

Kosiba, a 1935 FHS graduate, served under Gen. Douglas MacArthur during World War II.

“She later was assigned to work at the Pentagon in Washington D.C., and was chosen to march in President John F. Kennedy’s funeral procession,” said DeMuri, noting Kosiba is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Another new addition to the military room is the full dress uniform of retired pilot Lt. Col. Gerald W. McMullen.

The Florence County Historical Museum’s military room has exhibits on two women veterans with local ties, Cora Kinnear and Cecilia Kosiba. This is the Kinnear display. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photos)

“The VFW and American Legion story boards are something we thought would be of interest to many visitors,” Wertanen said.

The museum saw fewer visitors than usual last year due to road construction, DeMuri said. “We decided to keep some of our featured veterans, including Marty Neuens, who was a prisoner of war for seven years, and Marine Capt. Edward Mouw, a guerrilla trainer in Vietnam,” she explained. “We also have the bracelet that many people wore while Marty was in captivity.”

The museum has many other significant memorabilia pieces from local veterans, ranging from the Civil War Grand Army of the Republic through to Desert Storm.

In honor of America250, the museum will highlight post offices of Florence County as a new exhibit.

“The first official post office was established in 1775,” DeMuri said. “At one time we have a total of 10 in Florence County. Today only three remain — Florence, Long Lake and Fence.”

Shown is U.S. Postal Service display, a new addition to the main room of the Florence County Historical Museum. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)

“We also have some old artifacts that are included in that display,” Wertanen added.

The history of the county’s founding families, logging and mining remains cornerstones of the museum’s collections.

The Historical Society welcomes donations of photographics, documents and artifacts relating to Florence County’s history.

DeMuri will present “Footprints of Florence County” at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Florence Natural Resource Center. The public is invited.

“It will cover from the beginning of Florence with the Fisher family through mining, logging, schools, churches and recreation,” she said. “I will have about 110 PowerPoint slides along with narration.”

The Florence County Historical Museum, 201 Florence Ave., will open for the season from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, with guests afterwards invited to a lunch at the historic Webb-Judge House next door, hosted by Rachel and Don Egelseer. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)

Wertanen also plans to schedule a guided walk of historical homes and buildings in Florence during the season. “I’m reviving the booklet to change it up a little,” she said.

The non-profit’s annual Quilt Show and Strawberry Social will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 18, at Maxsells, the historic home on the curve of U.S. 2 in Florence.

The society appreciates the creative area quilters who share their work for the display, Wertanen said. “There will be quilts of all shapes and sizes,” she said.

The strawberry social fundraiser takes place on the Maxsells grounds. Strawberry shortcake and a beverage will be available for $5.

There is no charge to view the quilts and all ages are welcome to attend.

Anyone wishing to take part in the quilt show can contact DeMuri.

Raffle tickets for the first-prize quilt featuring the “Amish Stars” design, created by local quilter Joan Spears and long-armed stitched by Patti Wabitsch, will be available throughout the summer at the museum and from historical society members.

A complete list of other prizes and donated by area crafters will be announced at a future date.

Tickets are $1 or six for $5. The drawing is scheduled for Sept. 5 at the museum.

In addition to the show and strawberry social, society members are planning several other activities that will be announced later in the season.

The museum will be open for the summer season from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday through Saturday throughout the summer months.

“We’d be happy to schedule a special time if needed,” Wertanen added.

The museum doesn’t charge admission and relies on donations and its annual fundraiser for operating revenue.

The Florence County Historical Society welcomes new members, as well as volunteers to assist with tours. They meet at 2 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month at the museum, 201 Florence Ave.

“You don’t have to be an expert in local history, just have an interest,” Wertanen said.

For more information or to schedule a private tour, contact DeMuri at 715-528-3597.

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Terri Castelaz can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 85241, or tcastelaz@ironmountaindailynews.com.