Last updated: 5/16/2012
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
Address
255 Mill Street
Lake Geneva, WI 53147

Admissions

General Admission: $7
Seniors: $6
Members: free
Students (with ID): $6
Children under 11: Free

Museum Type(s)

Staff

Karen Jo Walsh
phone: 262-248-6060
Helen Brandt
phone: 262-248-6060
Vern Magee
phone: 262-248-6249
Description

Geneva Lake Museum discovers and preserves the rich history that hides throughout Geneva Lake and the surrounding communities. The exhibits within the walls are time capsules that capture every essence of Geneva Lake and its people; people with amazing stories that unravel with every scene and every word led by our exclusive guides. These stories wait for people young and old who have the ears eager to listen, the eyes that are ready to be awakened and the open mind waiting to learn.

Come to Main Street and see ...

. Turn of the century architectural styles - Georgian, Second Empire, Italianate, Colonial . Log cabin with Potawatami tools and arrowhead collection . Blacksmith shop with anvils, horseshoeing tools and ice cutting tools . Fire engine house with 1890 Hose Wagon . Farm implements and tools . Spring house for cooling milk . Telephone switchboard . 1920's Dental Work Station . General Store . 1890's school room with teacher and students

Volunteering

The volunteers who created our museum and those who staff it and maintain it are proud and pleased to offer to the public the history of the Geneva Lake area. There is always more to be done. Updating displays, developing new display areas, helping with museum events, guiding and informing museum guests (docent), historical research, little projects and ongoing projects - all of this is done by volunteers. If you really enjoy local history come share your time and talents with us! To volunteer, or to become a docent, contact the museum for details. Docents are requested to work twice a month for a three hour period of time (10am-1pm or 1pm-4pm week days or 12pm-3pm Sundays). All docents will be thoroughly trained in their responsibilities

Historical Items

If you have a Lake Area historical item that you think others would appreciate, you can share your piece of Lake history with others by lending it or donating it to the museum. If it is a loan, you can specify the loan period. If it is a donation, the Geneva Lake Museum of History is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, and contributions are tax deductible

Mission

Founded in 1983 the museum was originally located in the house at 818 Geneva Street. In the 1990's the city moved the Waterworks Department, which had been housed in the 1929 Wisconsin Power & Light building, to a new larger facility. The Geneva Lakes History Buffs persuaded the city to let them use the old building for a museum. In 2004 the museum moved to that building at 255 Mill Street. Taking advantage of the generous space the new building provides, the Museum Board along with the History Buffs and much volunteer help, created Main Street, Lake Geneva. There was ample room left over for additional display areas, a museum store and meeting rooms, which may be rented for meetings or special events.

Educational Programs

Special Exhibitions which change with each summer season. Educational committee works with teachers and groups as we plan to meet the needs of our guests. Docent program is a huge reason for our success and is growing. Public and private gallery tours are available - either self guided or with a docent. Summer workshop series begins in June as well as lectures specific to special exhibits. Fees charged depend on requirements of project.

Governance

Geneva Lake Area History Buffs

Publications

Museum Musings Newsletter, 3x/yr

Services
Gift Shop
Special Event Rental
Group Tours
ADA
Wheelchair Accessible
Exhibitions
Museum Events
DISCLAIMER
This information, including business hours, addresses and contact information is provided for general reference purposes only. No representation is made or warranty is given as to its content or the reliability thereof. User assumes all risk of use. Stories USA, Inc. and its content suppliers assume no responsibility for any loss or delay resulting from such use. Please call ahead to verify the dates, the location and directions.

MUSEUM CONFERENCES

Public Lands Alliance 2025 Convention and Trade Show

February 2 - 6, 2025

Las Vegas, Nevada

Georgia Association of Museums 2025 Conference

February 5 - 7, 2025

Milledgeville, Georgia

Small Museum Association 41st Annual Conference 2025

February 17 - 19, 2025

Gaithersburg, Maryland

2025 California Association of Museums Conference

February 18 - 22, 2025

San Fransico, California

2025 Tennessee Association of Museums Conference: HOPE

March 11 - 14, 2025

Knoxville, Tennessee

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