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.

2024 Meeting & Events Schedule

All meetings begin at 10am

January 1 - March 31: Filing period for Wisconsin Historical Society Annual Report (online)

January 2 (no meeting)

February 5:  Board of Directors - Virtual via Zoom

March 4 : Board of Directors - Virtual via Zoom

April 1:  Board of Directors meeting co-hosted by Cornucopia Green Shed Museum & Port Wing Historical Society

May 6:  Board of Directors meeting hosted by Western Bayfield County, Iron River

May : WHS Mini-Grant applications due

June 1: Mailing of Bayfield County Historical Happenings newsletter

June 1: Board of Directors meeting hosted by Mason Area Historical Society

July:  (no meeting)

August 5:  Board of Directors meeting hosted by Oulu Historical Society

August 8-11:  Bayfield County Fair

August ??:  55+ Senior Expo, Ashland [date not yet posted]

Sept. 9:  Board of Directors meeting hosted by Barnes Area Historical Association

Oct. 7:  Board of Directors meeting hosted by Cable/Namakagon Area Historical Society, meeting in Drummond

Oct. 16-18: 2024 Local History & Historic Preservation Conference, Appleton, WI

Nov. 4:  BCHS Annual Meeting at NGLVC

Dec. 2:  Board of Directors meeting at NGLVC

Upcoming:

2026: Opening of New Wisconsin History Center on Capitol Square, Madison

United States Semiquincentennial

Bayfield County Wisconsin Map