Helping preserve the place you cherish
OPEN MONDAYS 10:00AM - 1:00PM
or by appointment (EXCLUDING HOLIDAYS)
Programs
Programming and community engagement are an important piece of Menasha Historical Society's goals.
Discover more about our programs below or through our newsletter available to members.
If you have an idea for a program, please feel free to contact us!
Menasha Connections to Professional Football
Thursday September 14, 2023 - (Completed)
6:30 p.m. Company E Room
Elisha D. Smith Public Library (Menasha)
We are kicking off the fall program season in style!
Join Menasha Historical Society Board Member Adrian Martin as he explores the connections to Menasha. Adrian has many interesting and amazing stories to share - don't pass on this program!!
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Intertribal Powwow
Saturday September 16, 2023 (Completed)
Shattuck Park, Neenah
240 E. Wisconsin Avenue
1 PM - 4 PM
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Join us for the annual Intertribal Powwow in Neenah. The Pow Wow features Native American dancers, drum groups, and food. Voyageur canoe rides (FREE) also available. Special guest Native American artist Clinton Miller performs at 10 AM as part of the Farmers Market. This is an event you do not want to miss!
Exploring the Universe with Deep Space Photography
Thursday October 12, 2023 - Completed
6:30 PM, Company E Room
Elisha D. Smith Public Library (Menasha)
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Lifelong Menasha resident Greg Cheslock takes photographs that are literally out of this world. He will be joining us to discuss his process of taking these photos and show us the amazing results. Greg will also talk about the astronomy and astrophotography related to the photos.
Founders & Settlers Part 3-
Amos Page and O.P. Clinton
October 19, 2023 via YouTube
7:00 p.m. Premiere
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This is the 3rd episode in the Founders and Settlers series featuring Tom Van Lieshout and other local historians from the Menasha Historical Society and Neenah Historical Society. This episode features the stories of Amos Page and O.P. Clinton. The episode is pre-recorded and is available by clicking on the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGol8-IwwoA
Rest In Peace - Stories of Menasha Cemeteries and
Twin City Monument
November 9, 2023 - Completed
6:30 P.M. Company E Room
Elisha D. Smith Public Library (Menasha)
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Visiting cemeteries can be a historical adventure! Join Menasha Historical Society Board member Becky Heidke Kwiatkowski as she discusses interesting stories from Menasha's cemeteries and the history behind the headstones and the company that made many headstones, Twin City Monument.
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This is a sequel to last year's presentation - Dearly Departed: Neenah-Menasha's Family Funeral Home businesses. You can view that presentation on our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_Hb-Qy2R4c
2023 Christmas Party
December 14, 2023
Knights of Columbus Hall, 746 3rd Street
Social Hour 5:00-6:00
Dinner 6:00
Program 7:00 - "Growing Up in World War II Menasha"
Members $20, Nonmember $25
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Join us as we celebrate another wonderful year for the Menasha Historical Society. We will celebrate with you, our beloved members and special guests, all of the fun we had during 2023. Dick Loehning will be our featured speaker, talking about his memories during World War II Menasha. Members should have received their RSVP form in the mail - please return by December 7. If you did not receive a form, click the button below for the form and return to us or visit us on Mondays in person at the Memorial Building.
Menasha High School Tour
Saturday January 14, 2023 >COMPLETED<
10 AM
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Join your friends and Menasha Historical Society members as we tour the Menasha High School building. The tour focused on the 2014 renovations to the old building and included a tour of Calder Stadium. Special thanks to Menasha Superintendent Chris VanderHeyden, Principal Adam Baier, Director of Business Services Brian Adesso, and student Kyler Arndt for their assistance during the tour!
Racine Street Bridge Re-opening
Wednesday April 19, 2023 - (COMPLETED)
Racine Street Bridge
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At long last, the Racine Street Bridge will be reopened. A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held starting at 5:30 followed by speeches. Then a band will lead pedestrians across the bridge. Join us for as we witness this historic event!
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Photo is from the Post Crescent circa 1951 when the bridge was first opened.
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Check out the news coverage of the reopening of the bridge here: https://www.wearegreenbay.com/news/local-news/menasha-celebrates-reopening-of-racine-street-bridge/
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Tour of St. Mary Catholic School
May 20, 2023 - (Completed)
12:30 PM
St. Mary Catholic School: 1050 Zephyr Drive Neenah
(meet at Zephyr Fields ticket gate)
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Are you an alumni/ae of St. Mary Catholic School but have not been to the new school campus? Are you interested in learning more about SMC? Join us as we tour the high school and middle school buildings, STEM building, and athletic grounds.
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Menasha Historical Society members and friends are also invited to the 10 AM varsity baseball game prior to our tour. Tickets to the game are $6 but alumni get in free!
Memorial Day Parade
Monday, May 29, 2023 (Completed)
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Memorial Day activities begin in Menasha with a waterfront ceremony, the annual Neenah-Menasha parade, and conclude with Military Honors tribute at Oak Hill Cemetery.
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The parade begins in Menasha at 9:00 AM - watch for the Menasha Historical Society entry and wave!
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History and Mystery - Downtown Menasha Walking Tour
June 3, 2023 - (Completed)
1 PM
One Menasha Center
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In conjunction with the Menasha Landmarks Commission with Ald. Tom Grade, join us for a tour and discussion of various places in downtown Menasha. Our tour will be a casual walking tour of the East End, concentrating on areas east of One Menasha Center. This will include the new Racine Street Bridge and Bridge Tender's Tower.
Indigenous Plants with Misty Cook
July 22, 2023 {Completed}
1 P.M.
Clovis Grove Elementary School natural area
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Join Misty Cook, of the Stockbridge-Munsee tribe, as she presents a program on Indigenous Plants. Misty has studied natural medicines traditional to her tribe and will show us which plants are most useful. Misty will also share stories from her book, Medicine Generations. In case of rain, the presentation will be held at the Elisha D. Smith Public Library in Menasha.
To learn more about Misty, please read this article from the Love Wisconsin page by the Wisconsin Humanities: https://www.lovewi.com/misty/
Caboose Open House
Thursday August 24, 2023 {Completed}
Smith Park
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Part of PorchFest on Doty Island
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Have you ever wondered what the inside of the caboose looked like? During PorchFest, we will have the caboose open, so add us as a stop! PorchFest has lots of great music and many children's activities.
Twisted Pistons Cruise In
August 17, 2023 - (Completed)
Downtown Menasha
2 PM - 10 PM
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Join our friends at the Twisted Pistons Cruise In Event in downtown Menasha. There are show vehicles, food, and music. The event supports the scholarships for local students in Menasha!