Rooted in History, Reaching for the Future
A Capital Campaign for the Oconomowoc Historical Society
The 1921 Armory has been a part of Oconomowoc’s for over a century and, for the past 35 years, has been home to the city’s history through exhibits, archives, research, and programs. Now, we are launching a $1 million capital campaign to preserve this landmark, expand access to local history, and ensure the museum continues as a vibrant, welcoming resource for generations to come. With your support, we will protect a treasured building, foster learning and community, and honor the stories that make Oconomowoc unique.
Rooted in History, Reaching for the Future
Project Goals
- Restore the Building’s Historic Exterior: Time and Wisconsin’s weather have taken their toll on the museum’s exterior. This project will include patching, repairing, and repainting the building’s exterior. These improvements will protect the structure from further damage and preserve its historic appearance. Exterior work also includes re-installing windows at the building’s front elevation by removing outdated knock-out panels, drywall, and framing. This will harken back to the building’s first 60 years of existence when there were actual windows! The windows in the exhibit hall will remain covered to protect our artifacts from the damaging effects of sunlight.
- Refresh the Entrance and Other Public Areas: We will completely reconstruct the outdated restrooms and revitalize the entrance hallway to create a welcoming and accessible experience for our guests and volunteers. Restroom reconstruction will result in an expansion of the Hilbert Scherffius Research Center allowing us to better serve researchers, museum programming, community meetings, and rentals.
- Enhance the Theatre Space: The museum’s theatre is a beloved and vital component of our programming. New seating and an enhanced audio-visual system will dramatically improve audience comfort for lectures, films, and school field trips. It will also serve as a gathering place for private and corporate events, extending its impact beyond museum programs and providing an important source of income to support our mission.
- Improve Interior Lighting and Air Quality: We will install a new, modern lighting system in all of our exhibit spaces to create a brighter and more energy-efficient exhibit environment. In addition, the building’s ductwork will be professionally cleaned and inspected.
Research Fundraising Goal
Fundraising Goal: $1,000,000
As the only institution solely dedicated to Oconomowoc area history, we carry a responsibility to protect the past and make it accessible to all. We are proud to be debt-free. Every dollar raised goes directly to critical renovations and enhancements that will preserve our collections, improve our spaces, and expand our ability to serve the public. The past isn’t gone. We are its stewards, and within our building, it remains alive and within reach.
Thank you to our generous donors!
- Legacy Leaders
- Heritage Circle
- Centennial Society
- Armory Advocates
- Reservation Partners
To learn more about our campaign, click here.