We Put on Programs

The Ripon Historical Society meets on the third Thursday evening of the following months: September, October, November, March, April, and May. The meetings are held in the evening and include a program related to history. Unless otherwise announced, the meetings are held at Pickard House, 508 Watson Street.

Open houses and guided tours featuring special programs or exhibits are held several times a year. These are publicized in local newspapers and on local radio and television stations.

We Help People With Research

The Society has an unusually complete record of Ripon genealogy. Assembled by Ripon's remarkable historian Samuel M. Pedrick, this material is preserved in more than 80 notebooks. Published local obituaries or notices of local deaths are kept current. City directories, telephone books, and county and local histories also are available to help trace Ripon family lineage.

Our library of state and local history is modest but growing. It includes special collections in such diverse areas as elementary school books, etiquette books, cook books, children's books, and Wisconsin Civil War histories.

The Society has published the book A History of Ripon Wisconsin as well as pamphlets dealing with Ripon history.

We are working with the Ripon Public Library to make more of our collection available online.

We Maintain a Museum of Local History

The Society owns two Ripon houses, including one with a barn. The older of the two is the Pedrick-Lawson House, 515 Ransom Street, which was placed on the National Register of Historic Places because of its unusual grout-block construction. Built in the 1850s, it is partially restored as it might have looked during the Civil War era. The barn is used for storage and exhibits including farm tools and equipment. A Victorian garden with markers identifying its various plants and flowers has been developed on the property.

The newer of the two houses, the Pickard House at 508 Watson Street, was built during the 1870s and has been remodeled and furnished to resemble a modest middle class home in the early part of the twentieth century. The Pickard House, which is handicapped accessible on the main and lower levels but not in the upstairs, is used as our headquarters and remains open year-round by appointment. It contains the Society's archives, library, meeting room, and museum for both permanent and temporary exhibits.

Our museum collection includes Victorian and early twentieth century furniture and furnishings, men's and women's clothing, quilts and coverlets, tools and equipment for various trades and occupations, dishes and glassware, and works of art by Ripon artists. Special collections of such items as local business and professional records and artifacts, wedding dresses, children's toys, games, and dolls, and war memorabilia are featured in our permanent and changing exhibits.

Interested persons may visit the museum by calling (920) 748-5354 and leaving a message on our voice mail. A Society volunteer will contact the caller to make arrangements.

We Are a Resource for Teachers and Learners in Ripon's Schools