About BCHS
The Bayfield County Historical Society Inc. (BCHS) is the umbrella organization that coordinates activities of the 10 local history chapters located in Bayfield County Wisconsin.
The affiliated local history chapters are Barnes Area Historical Association Inc, Cable/Namakagon Historical Society, Cornucopia Historic Green Shed Museum, Drummond Historical Society, Eileen Area Historical Society Inc, Mason Area Historical Society Inc, Oulu Historical Society, Port Wing Historical Society, Washburn Area Historical Society, and Western Bayfield County Historical Society.
BCHS is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the history of Bayfield County, Wisconsin. For over a quarter of a century, the organization has worked to gather and care for historical source materials, compile and publish local history articles and information, and coordinate efforts of chapter member historical societies.
BCHS is a member of the Wisconsin Council for Local History, and is part of a state-wide network of historical organizations that are affiliated with the Wisconsin Historical Society.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Bayfield County Historical Society Inc. is to collaborate with county historical society chapters to educate, preserve, and disseminate Bayfield County history.
Benefits
Joining any of the affiliate chapters of BCHS automatically makes you a member of BCHS. In addition to receiving newsletters from your local chapter, you will also receive the BCHS newsletter, Bayfield County Historical Happenings, twice each year. This newsletter contains articles about local history and keeps you updated about the activities of each of the chapter organizations.The BCHS maintains a small research archive containing information about county schools.
Officers
President: Les Watters
10235 Whispering Pine Rd
Drummond, WI 54832
715-739-6204
Vice President: Sally Pease
50105 Pease Resort Rd.
Barnes, WI 54873
715-795-2936
Contact Sally
Secretary: Sheree Peterson
86460 Martin Rd.
Bayfield, WI 54814
715-779-5016
Contact Sheree
Treasurer: Mary Childs
9155 E. White Birch Road
Port Wing, WI 54865
715-774-3383
Contact Mary
Meetings
The BCHS meets on the first Monday of each month at the Bayfield County Courthouse in Washburn, Wisconsin at 10 a.m. in the County Board Room. During the summer months, meetings are often moved to individual chapter sites. Anyone with an interest in local history is welcome to attend.The board of directors is made up of representatives from chapter historical organizations from around the county, as well as at-large representatives.
2023 Meeting & Events Schedule
All meetings begin at 10am
2023 125th Anniversary of Wisconsin's Local History Affiliate Program
January 1 - March 31 Filing period for Wisconsin Historical Society Annual Report (online)
January 2 (no meeting)
February 6: Board of Directors meet via Zoom
March 6: Board of Directors meet via Zoom
April 3: Board of Directors meeting hosted by Cornucopia Green Shed Museum
May 1: Board of Directors meeting (location not yet determined)
May 15: WHS Mini-Grant applications due
June 5: Board of Directors meeting hosted by Port Wing Historical Society
July: (no meeting)
August 7: Board of Directors meeting hosted by Oulu Historical Society
August 10-13: Bayfield County Fair
August ? : 55+ Senior Expo, Ashland [date not yet posted]
Sept. 11: Board of Directors meeting hosted by Barnes Area Historical Association
Oct. 2: Board of Directors meeting hosted by Cable/Namakagon Area Historical Society & Drummond Area Historical Society
Oct. 19-20: Local History & Historic Preservation Conference, La Crosse Center, La Crosse, WI
Nov. 6: BCHS Annual Meeting at NGLVC (tentative)
Dec. 4: Board of Directors meeting at NGLVC (tentative)
Upcoming:
2024: Bayfield County Historical Society 50th Anniversary
October 2024: Local History & Historic Preservation Conference, Appleton, WI
2026: Opening of New Wisconsin History Center on Capitol Square, Madison
United States Semiquincentennial