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For more than 100 years the WCHSM has dedicated itself to preserving and sharing the county’s cultural heritage. The artifact and archival collection includes more than 18,000 objects, 250,000 images, millions of archival materials, and innumerable stories that make up the community of Waukesha County.

Collections Catalog Portal

Explore our growing online catalog.
Project funding from the Waukesha County Community Foundation

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Christmas Parade Memorial Collection

The Waukesha County Historical Society & Museum is working with the City of Waukesha to preserve memorial items left in honor and memory of the victims of the Christmas Parade Tragedy on Nov. 21, 2021.

To learn more about this collection and our work with the city, you can read our Scope of Collections Statement.

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Adopt an Artifact

Become part of our collections care team!

With an annual donation of $25 you’ll support the direct cost of collections care including: storage cartons & boxes, protective foam, digitization tools, environmental monitoring, and conservation & cleaning.

                                                              Thank you to….

Abigail Kean 

Adopted artifact 2012.006 – Oconomowoc High School Uniform

1974

Donated by the Oconomowoc High School

 

Ellen Demers

Adopted artifact 0256 – Waist Dress made by Melinda Aumiller –

c. 1880

Donated by L. V. Coles

Andrew Clark

Adopted artifact 00504.01 Camera, Univex

c. 1930

Donated by Warren O’Brien

David Simpson – Adopted artifact P0569 – Daguerreotype of John Andrews – early pioneer of Mukwonago. Donated by Charles Schultis

Flash & Mary Ann Gordon

Adopted artifact 01843 – Warrant Office Uniform – worn at Waukesha Nike site.

c. 1971

Donated by James Moldenauer

Diane Voit

Adopted artifact 0921 – Certosport Camera

c. 1910

Donated by the State of Bryon Merton

John Knoebel 

Adopted artifact 00495 – Army Officer Korean Winter Uniform

c. 1950s

Donated by William Dehnel

Thomas & Rebecca Platz 

Adopted artifact 00481B – Butter Paddle

Year: c. 1880s

Donated by: Peter Mitchell

Gladys Manke

Adopted artifact 06348 –  Milk Tester

Year: c. 1890s

Donated by: Estate of James Boyd

Tony & Andrea Bryant 

Adopted artifact 00469 – Woman’s Army Uniform (WAC)

Years: 1956-1958

Donated by Helen Smart Engel 

Adopted artifact 2010.0873.002 – Waukesha Milk Co Milk Can

Year c. 1920

Donated by John Schoenknecht

Heidi Platz Clifton

Adopted artifact 01842 – Summer Red Cross Uniform

Years – 1943 -1945

Donated by Helen Thatcher

Anonymous 

Adopted artifact 00214 – Fox Head 400 Stein

Year 1937

Donated by Mrs. Alfred G Boedecker

Rocky Schaefer

Adopted artifact 2019.031.076 – O’Brien photo of Waukesha Motor Company

Year: 1929

 

The Basting Family

Adopted artifact 1171 –  Stoneware Butter churn

Year c 1900

 

 

Richard Whitaker

Adopted Artifact 2009.011.189 – Bottle. Olive green glass bottle.  Embossed: “Hygeia” and features the image of a toga dressed woman with a dipper pouring water.

Year – c 1890s

 

Carol Riches

Adopted Artifact 2001.013.1 – Oneida / Ho Chunk Ceremonial Bandolier.

Year – c 1880s

Janice Ferguson

Adopted Artifact 12901 – Civil War Uniform Coat

Year c 1860s

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Donating Materials to the Artifact & Archival Collections

If you have an object you think would meet our mission to preserve Waukesha County history please contact [email protected] or call 262.521.2859 x225.

Prospective Donor Info Sheet

Please know that not all materials can be accepted into the collection. Condition, conservation needs, along with historic relevance are considered by our collections committee before accepting an item into the collection. Due to over representation in the collection we are not able to accept: wedding gowns, baptismal gowns, petticoats, typewriters, sewing machines, pianos, or pump organs unless they demonstrate a significant historic relevance to Waukesha County.