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Calumet County Historical

Society Museum

Our Museum features two buildings filled with articles from around Calumet County that features things that hard working people used every day to make life just a little easier

Local Historical Articles

Chilton Schuetzenverein

Located at the Calumet County Fair Grounds

A Schuetzenverein is a Germanic shooting society with traditions that go back to medieval times.  Annual shooting competitions crowned the winner “Schützenkönig” or king of the Schuetzen (marksmen)

DEATH BY CHOCOLATE

Researched by Debbie Barany This phrase generally brings to mind a delightful dessert that all who love chocolate can’t resist. However, on November 25, 1922 in Jericho, Wisconsin, that phrase was quite literal. The following are a few articles from the Chilton Times Journal about the murder of Mrs. Frank Schneider.

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Martha Winifred Sweet Bonfils

If we look into the history of Chilton, and the surrounding communities we learn about the many fascinating stories of people who where born and raised in our part of Wisconsin. They left our

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Calumet County Mural Initiative

This past year (2019) The Calumet County Historical Society had the wonderful opportunity to collaborate with Artist James Barany, a native of Chilton, Wisconsin. Through the many talents of James and his ambitious efforts to write and apply

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Horse Wagon

Back in 1971, Ralph and Judi Brill bought their first team of Belgian horses. On day I was talking to Herman Pagel.

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The Wacky History of  Spectro-Chrome Therapy By: Lydia Arnoldussen 

How would you respond if a doctor today told you to use colored light to cure a disease?

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Chilton’s Gargoyle

Chilton’s whimsical gargoyle sat high atop 13 E Main Street in Chilton for many years.

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WM Bechlem Tailor

by Debbie Barany

Pictured here is a business that has pretty much disappeared from our modern society. However, at

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Calumet County Historical Society’s Music Display

By Tom Schneider 

Music has always played a very important part in our lives. Especially in our area

1922 Gold Class Ring Returned to Family! By Jake Follis

This summer, we decided to visit my brother, Monte, and his family in Chilton. As Monte and I discussed plans in advance of the trip, he suggested that I bring my metal detectors so that we could go hunting

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The Tragic Service of Captain Hiram Gibbs By Stuart W. Sanders

Director of Research & Collections Kentucky Historical Society

 

First published at westerntheatercivilwar.com

 

When the Civil War erupted, Gibbs did not initially enlist. Instead, in August 1862, the forty-year-old farmer joined the 21st Wisconsin Infantry Regiment at nearby Chilton.

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Update to this story

Steege Family's Street

Names in Chilton

By Ray Mueller

Calumet County Historical Society

 

Ever wonder about the origin of a set of four street names in Chilton starting with the letter “D” – all common first names? The four – Diane, Donna, and Doug streets and Debra Court –

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Calumet County Weeklies

Share a Storied History

By Ray Mueller

Calumet County Historical Society

 

Since 1857, there have been 16 different weekly newspapers published in Calumet County but only one of them remains in business today under its original name.

No photo description available.
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By Ray Mueller

Calumet County Historical Society

 

Chilton and the surrounding area celebrated the opening of the Calumet Memorial Hospital (Ascension Calumet Medical Center today) in a big way during June of 1956.

Calumet Memorial Hospital Opening

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See dedication issue of the Chilton Time-Journal 6-28-1956

Have you seen this display of Calumet

County textile production?

By Cindy Ellenbecker  Ph.D

 

Spinning yarn to be knitted or woven into garments marked a stage in evolution of human kind from savagery 

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Chilton Senior Citizens Club 1971-2023

By Ray Mueller

 

             A once thriving and very active organization in the Chilton area has disbanded – ironically on the same calendar date (April 14) as when it was founded in 1971.

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For more articles click here

Chilton Manor Trailer Factory

By RANDY BISHOP

In 1955. John Meyer, of Hilbert, welcomed the St. Patrick’s Day Parade much more than usual.  He had just been discharged from the Navy

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Read about a family's fun in a Manorette

Life Saved by a Zippo!

  By  Paula Mortimer

             November 20, 1966, My Dad "Dad Mort" was shot by a deer hunter from a neighboring camp while Dad & his friend were tracking a deer that dad had shot.  

No photo description available.
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