Oconto County Historical Society
Preserving the History of Oconto County, Wisconsin
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Beyer Home & Carriage
Museum
Copper Culture
Museum
Holt & Balcom Logging Camp
Museum
Featured Article
Lucia Brothers
A. J. Lucia Cycle Co. The OCHS has a small file entitled “Transportation”. In it are only a few items. A few were about the railroad which were moved to that file, and about fishing […]
Upcoming Events
February Speaker Series
February 6, 2025
Oconto County Historical Society to Host Engaging Speaker Series on WWII’s Red Arrow Division at Buna
Oconto, WI – History comes alive this February as the Oconto County Historical Society invites the community to a captivating evening honoring the bravery and sacrifice of local soldiers. The Speaker Series event, “The Red Arrow Division at Buna,” will delve into one of the most challenging and pivotal battles of World War II.
Join us on Thursday, February 6th, at 6:30 PM, at the Beyer Home & Carriage Museum, 915 Park Avenue, Oconto, for an unforgettable journey through history. Captain Florian L. Waitl, Command Historian of the Wisconsin National Guard, will provide a richly detailed presentation recounting the heroism of Oconto’s Company C, 127th Infantry, 32nd “Red Arrow” Infantry Division during the bloody Battle of Buna in New Guinea in 1942-43.
This engaging presentation will take you back in time through an immersive combination of photographs, aerial imagery, modern drone footage, virtual terrain maps, and firsthand soldier accounts. Captain Waitl will also share insights from members of today’s Wisconsin National Guard who visited Buna in September 2024, providing a unique connection between past and present.
A Tribute to Local Heroes
The Battle of Buna was one of the most grueling campaigns of World War II, and its impact resonates deeply in our community. Seven soldiers from Oconto and Marinette Counties made the ultimate sacrifice in this campaign. This event offers a poignant opportunity to reflect on their courage and the enduring spirit of those who served.
Event Details:
- Date: Thursday, February 6, 2025
- Time: 6:30 PM
- Location: Beyer Home & Carriage Museum, 915 Park Avenue, Oconto
- Cost: Free and open to the public
- Extras: Light refreshments will be served
Don’t miss this chance to connect with history, honor our local heroes, and gain a deeper understanding of the sacrifices made to preserve our freedoms. Whether you’re a history enthusiast or simply interested in learning more about the contributions of our community’s servicemen, this event promises to be a meaningful experience.
Preserving Oconto County History since 1940
The Oconto County Historical Society, Inc. was founded in 1940. It is based in Oconto, the county seat of Oconto County, Wisconsin, USA. The Society maintains three unique and historically significant museums: (1) the Beyer Home & Carriage Museum where the buildings expand over a city block to include the beautifully restored and completely refurnished 1890s Victorian home of a prominent local family; the Carriage Museum with exhibits and rare vehicles; the George E. Hall Annex with many exhibits within Old Main Street, along with housing of historical records and artifacts; plus an 1870s restored log home and an urban barn; (2) the Copper Culture Museum located within the Copper Culture State Park, which is an archaic copper museum which focuses on the Oconto Site of the Old Copper Complex; and (3) the Holt & Balcom Logging Camp Museum in Lakewood, Wisconsin, which is the oldest logging camp in the United States still standing on its original site.
Our Museums
Beyer Home & Carriage Museum
Visit the Beyer Home built in 1868, preserved as it appeared in the late 1800s Queen Anne-style by the owners, George and Fannie Beyer, which includes antique furnishings of that era. Your tour also includes a visit to our large showroom complete with very rare antique vehicles, a walk down Old Oconto Main Street, a military history exhibit, an authentic log cabin, and more, all situated within an entire city block.
Copper Culture Museum
Visit the location where 6,000 years ago Native Americans returned to the mouth of the Oconto River to bury their loved ones. Their repeated use of this burial ground over a 1,000–year timespan is a historic phenomenon. The fact that they were also interred with copper tools and projectile points makes the Oconto Archaeological Site even more significant. They are believed to be only a small part of a larger population living around the upper three Great Lakes who are the earliest metalsmiths known to exist in the Western Hemisphere.
Holt & Balcom Logging Camp Museum
Relive a vital part of American history at the oldest logging camp still standing at its original site on the banks of the McCauslin Brook, near Lakewood, Wisconsin. The Holt & Balcom Logging Camp stands today as a memorial to the White Pine logging era of Wisconsin. The camp was built in 1880 and was used for over 50 years.
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