The Eagle River Historical Society was founded in 1966 and incorporated in 1968. It is located in the small northern Wisconsin community of Eagle River and is the only organization devoted to the preservation of local history.

In addition to being a public institution the Society has developed programming for levels of the local school district. The programs began in 2014 and include funding and directing living history tours for fourth grade students to supplement their Wisconsin history studies. In cooperation with the faculties, the Society is now moving to create curriculum enrichment for other grade levels.

Until 1997 there was no formal exhibition space. From 1997 until 2007 space was rented from a local environmental center but in 2007 the lease was lost and most of the collection went into storage. A small percentage remained on display in a former railroad depot and a fund raising program was started at once to acquire a permanent home. In December, 2012, that dream was realized with the purchase of a building that once was a part of an old summer camp with historical value of its own.

The Historical Museum opened on May 24, 2014, and the collection returned to public view. This is our second museum in Eagle River. The Depot Museum will remain a specialized site for downtown business and railroad history.

Our Mission

To collect, preserve and share Eagle River heritage and culture and to be a recognized economic asset to the community.