Welcome to the Ripon Historical Society
The Ripon Historical Society was founded in 1899 "for historical and literary purposes." The mission of the Society then and now is "the discovery, collection, preservation and publication of historical records and data of and relating to the City of Ripon." The Society maintains archives, a library, and a museum dedicated to preserving the heritage of the Ripon area. We are not the official repository of the community's public records, but we do try to collect, safeguard, and display materials that reflect and illustrate Ripon's history. Our mission is primarily educational--to interpret the past for the enlightenment of present and future generations and to serve as many people in the community as we can. Our Collections Policy and our activities reflect this mission.
What We Do
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 featuring special programs or exhibits are held several times a year. These are publicized in local newspapers and on local radio and television stations.
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. 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 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, 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
The Society has a tradition of using its resources as teaching
tools. Our volunteers are willing to work with school personnel to plan and
implement programming that will challenge children to develop thinking
skills within the context of learning about how people lived in the past.
Our educational efforts have included school visits to the Society, Society
volunteers' visits to the classroom, displays in the Ripon Public Library,
special educational offerings at our open houses, and PowerPoint
presentations for teachers to use in their classrooms. Our archives and
collections offer potential for individual study for middle school and high
school learners. High school students working toward the Honors
Diploma might consider adopting a room or specific collection, which they
could research and share with others as docents.
Maintaining this museum requires considerable effort. All artifacts must be cataloged, and in some cases, repaired or restored. In all cases, necessary steps are taken to preserve them properly. Exhibits have to be changed from time to time, and buildings must be kept clean and inviting to visitors. Docents are needed for Open Houses and tours. This interesting work is done entirely by board members and other volunteers.
We invite you to join the Ripon Historical Society and to participate in our activities. Even if you are not able to volunteer on a regular basis or do any work at all, your membership is most welcome.
Annual dues are $10.00 per individual, $15.00 per family, and $5.00 per student. A life membership is $100.00 per person and $150.00 per couple. Dues may be sent to the Ripon Historical Society, Box 274, Ripon, WI 54971, given to our treasurer at any Society meeting, or given to a board member at any time.