The Marquette County Historical Society is an all-volunteer, all donation operated 501(c)3 non-profit organization. It is located at 125 Lawrence Street in Westfield, Wisconsin, but serves all of Marquette County. The location includes the 1903 Cochrane Nelson house built by T. Harry Cochrane, son of Robert Cochrane, a settler from Westfield, New York, who built a mill on the local creek in 1850 and who owned the land platted for the Village of Westfield.
After Cochrane moved to Portage in 1906, Nels Nelson purchased the home. He owned and operated a grocery and ice cream parlor across the mill pond.
The Society also manages the Kerst/Cant/Robinson Exhibit and Research building which houses an extensive collection of early artifacts from the 14 Townships, 4 villages and 1 city of Marquette County as well as records that aid in genealogy research.
Also on the grounds is the Henry Ellis Section House filled with early railroad memorabilia and the Riverside School, one of the earliest school buildings in the county and the oldest one still standing. It is connected to John Muir, who spent his boyhood in Buffalo Township in Marquette County.
Marquette County owns the land and buildings which are managed by MCHS. MCHS donated funds are used for upkeep of the building and additions to the buildings as well as all collections and activity expenses. Marquette County has shared in the cost of house preservation and grounds improvements under the auspices of the Property Department of the County.
MCHS was started by a group of dedicated volunteers in 1962.
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Upcoming Events
April21 Presentation:Tagatz/Guderjahn/Zabel Families History in Marquette County 1:00 p.m. @ Historical Society
May 19
Presentation:
105th Anniversary of American Legion 1:00p.m. @ Historical Society
May 24-25
Garage Sale
June 10
Strawberry Sociable
July 3-7
Marquette County Fair
Nov. 22-23
Cookie Walk
Marquette County, Wisconsin is the boyhood home of John Muir, often called the Father of our National Parks.
Our grounds include the Nelson/Cochrane house, the restored Riverside Schoolhouse, and the Kerst research building and museum.
May
On May 19th 2024 the Marquette County Historical Society will present military veterans from the Viet Nam era who have graciously consented to share some of their participation in the history of that time period. This will be held at our exhibit hall at 1:00 p.m. where we also have a memorial exhibit honoring the 105 years of this American institution.
MCHS
125 Lawrence St Box 172
Westfield, WI 53964
608-296-4700
April
The Marquette County Historical Society will have a presentation with stories of the Marquette Tagatz, Guderjahn, and Zabel Families on April 21, 2024 at our exhibit hall in Westfield. Time: 1:00 p.m.
Kathryn Weaver and Mary Schmal are daughters of Irene Zabel Lawrenz, a woman born and raised in Marquette County. In the 1930s, straight out of high school, Irene had worked at the Marquette County Courthouse in Montello. Kathy and Mary will trace the history of their ancestors from the 1850s to the 1930s. Various historical artifacts will be on display from the Tagatz, Guderjahn, and Zabel families who came to Marquette County from Posen, Germany. Featured items on display will be four generations of wedding dresses dating from the 1800’s.
Come hear some of Irene’s delightful stories handed down to her daughters. Some of her memories may well trigger your own remembrances of relatives who had settled more than a century ago in Marquette County.