Upcoming Events

Ancient Trails, Ancient Tales: The Effigy Mounds of Walworth County and Southern Wisconsin

Thursday August 1st, 2024 at 6:30 p.m.

Matheson Memorial Library, Elkhorn WI

One-thousand years ago, Indigenous peoples Wisconsin built systems of earthen sculptures to mark the burial places of the dead. These ‘effigy’ mounds are some of the rarest types of burial mounds on the planet, and nearly all stood within or very near the borders of Wisconsin. Join State Archaeologist Amy Rosebrough for a celebration of our state’s deep Indigenous heritage and honor the ancestors who rest within what is now Walworth County and southern Wisconsin. This free program is brought to you by the Walworth County Historical Society, and will be held in the Library Community Center.

Beneath your Feet: The Archaeology of Walworth County

Thursday August 22nd, 2024 at 5:30 p.m.

Matheson Memorial Library, Elkhorn WI

Join archaeologists Robert “Ernie” Boszhardt and Danielle Benden for a program about the Indigenous history of Walworth County. Do you have Native American artifacts that you’d like identified? Bring them along on August 22nd! Danielle and Ernie will tell you how old they are, what material they are made of, etc. This cooperative program is brought to you by the Matheson Memorial Library and the Walworth County Historical Society. The program will be held in the Library’s Community Center, with artifact identification at 5:30pm, and the program at 6:30pm.

Past Events

From Wood to Watercraft: Dugout Canoes of Wisconsin

Thursday May 2nd, 2024 at 6:30 p.m.

Matheson Memorial Library, Elkhorn WI

Join the Matheson Memorial Library and the Walworth County Historical Society for a fascinating program on the innovative ways Wisconsin First Peoples utilized their environment. UW Madison Anthropology Professor Sissel Schroeder and Wisconsin Historical State Marine Archeologist Tamara Thomson will give a fascinating talk on the Wisconsin Dugout Canoe Survey Project and highlight the dugout canoe found in Geneva Lake in 1929.
The dugout canoe which was found on the shores of Geneva Lake in Fontana is in the possession of the Walworth County Historical Society and is available for viewing.
The Wisconsin Dugout Canoe Survey Project highlights the persistence of cultural traditions and technological ingenuity. It embodies the Wisconsin Idea by engaging local and national museums, historical societies, and tribal museums in this project that is documenting an important yet relatively rare form of material culture.
Professor Schroeder is an affiliate of the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, the Center for Culture, History, and the Environment, the American Indian and Indigenous Studies Program, and the Material Culture Studies Program. Her current research is focused on issues of sociopolitical complexity, climate change impacts, and historical ecology among ancient Native American societies of the southeastern and midwestern United States.
This free program will be held in the Matheson Library’s Community Center.

Wilbert Stroeve takes us on a 100 Year Road Trip

Friday April 19th, 2024 at 6:30 p.m.

Matheson Memorial Library, Elkhorn WI

Join historian and author Wilbert Stroeve as he takes us on a historical road trip from Chicago to Lake Geneva and Beloit using 1905 roadmaps and travel guides! Click HERE to download a flier for the event.
Copies of his book will be available for $15 (make checks payable to the Chicago Map Society.

Winter book sale fundraiser for the Walworth County Historical Society

Friday & Saturday January 26th & 27th, 2024 – 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Walworth County Historical Society – 9 s. Broad St. Elkhorn WI

We had so many books last year that we could not put them all out for the Walworth County Fair book sale. We have books on multiple topics, CDs, DVDs, and other items for sale. Most books are $1, so you can get a lot of winter reading for very little money!! Cash and electronic payments accepted.

Consortium of area Historical Societies and Librarians

Wednesday January 24th, 2024 at 4:00 p.m.

Walworth County Historical Society – 9 s. Broad St. Elkhorn WI

Please RSVP for event: Call 262-723-7848 or email walcohistory@tds.net

This is the second meeting of local history groups, including historical societies, genealogy groups, libraries, ect. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss and develop ways to work together, share resources, and engage the community in our local history.