DeForest Area Historical Society
http://www.madison.com/communities/dahs/
MISSION
The mission of the DeForest Area Historical Society is to preserve, celebrate,
and share the historical heritage of the area.
BACKGROUND
The Society was created in
1975 and since that time has increased its visibility in the community as the
main
repository and interpretive body in the area for local history. It is
responsible for a growing collection of artifacts,
manuscripts, photographs,
genealogical, and library materials.
The Board of Directors meets
quarterly on the third Thursday of the month (January, April, July, October)
usually in the Vienna Room of the DeForest Area Public Library. There is no
paid staff.
All work is completed by a dedicated group of volunteers.
SITES, FACILITIES, AND HOURS
The society is responsible for interpreting and maintaining four sites in DeForest.
The primary museum, the Hansen-Newell-Bennett House, is located at 119 East Elm Street in DeForest and presents several permanent displays, including historical information on the early schools, churches, and businesses in the area. Rooms on the first floor—parlor, dining room, kitchen, bathroom and bedroom--are interpreted from the early 1900’s period, before the advent of electricity. A small garage on the property houses artifacts that relate to transportation and farming implements. The museum is open on the second Sunday afternoon of each month, June through October, 1:00-3:00 p.m., or by special appointment.
The Lyster House, a second home museum, is located at 201 DeForest Street. The exterior and part of the interior have been restored to the 1930’s period (post-World War I). The DeForest Area Chamber of Commerce currently rents a portion of the first floor for its offices. The building is open to the public during all Chamber hours, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, unless Chamber meetings are scheduled off site. Currently a small restored kitchen on the first floor is available for viewing by the public. Seasonal week-end, special community activities are sometimes held at this site, including the Dragon Arts Fair and Winterfest. The first floor is handicapped accessible.
The exterior of the DeForest
Depot has been completely restored to its 1930’s appearance. Originally
constructed in 1871 and one of the most historically-significant structures in
DeForest, the building is located at 215 Market Street, just south of the Lyster
House. The exterior and grounds are open to the public at all times. An
historical marker just north of the building presents the history of the
building. The interior is not generally open to the public and is used for the
cold storage of the Society’s large artifacts. The platform which surrounds the
restored building on three sides is generally considered handicapped accessible,
but the deck boards are uneven in places.
A display gallery, office, work
area, and archival storage area are located on the first floor of the
DeForest Area Public Library, 203 Library Street. This is the primary
repository in the area for historical photographs, documents, manuscripts,
books, including some information on genealogy, obituaries, and area
cemeteries. The gallery, which features changing displays, is available to the
public during all library hours. (The current display is described below.)
Volunteers are on site at the library on most Tuesday and Thursday mornings from
9:00-11:30 a.m. or by special appointment. The building is completely
handicapped-accessible.
The current display in the
gallery (June, 2008-June, 2009) is entitled “The Nifty Fifties.” Artifacts,
manuscripts, and photographs from this era are presented. Stop by to reminisce
about this fascinating decade and view many popular advertisements, home
materials, games, and model automobiles from 50 years ago.
Information and Materials Available at the Library Archival Site:
Photographs, manuscripts, documents, maps, atlases, and some small artifacts related to:
Area businesses
Clothing
Cemeteries (See below.)
Churches
Community activities
Community organizations
Families (Obituaries dating back to the late 1800’s; some family histories)
Farms
Government (Some materials from DeForest, Townships of Burke, Leeds, Vienna, Windsor)
Medicine
Military
Music
Photography
Postal Service
Publications (Selected books, magazines, newspapers, sound recordings)
Residences
Schools (Including class photographs, high school annual catalogues and year books)
Sports activities
Transportation
DeForest Area Cemeteries
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DANE COUNTY CEMETERIES
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COLUMBIA COUNTY CEMETERIES
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For more information contact :
dahsoc@yahoo.com
For more genealogical information go to these web sites :
Updated 3/25/09