Oconomowoc Women Who Made a Difference
2025-11-18 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Chicago)
Join us for an inspiring program highlighting four remarkable women who shaped Oconomowoc’s history: Lavinia Rockwell, Grace Jones, Mary Newnham, and Mary Cole. Education volunteers and frequent presenters Barb Elwood-Goetsch and Jolayne Lindberg will share stories of leadership, service, and impact that continue to resonate today.
This program is open to the public. Historical society members receive free admission. Suggested donation for non-members is $10.00.

From Then to Now: Ancestral Ties in Oconomowoc
2025-11-13 18:00 - 19:00
Join our Museum Assistant and two volunteers as they share how they researched their family histories and discovered that, 150 years ago, their ancestors were all living in Oconomowoc at the same time. Through their stories, learn how genealogy connects the past and present and how personal research can illuminate the broader history of our community.
This program is open to the public. Historical society members receive free admission. Suggested donation for non-members is $10.00.

Model Railroad Open House
2025-11-08 11:00 - 15:00
Join the fun as the model railroad group celebrates the wonderful hobby of model railroading. Not only will the model railroad’s trains be running, but they will be running additional layouts in different scales.

Artifact Analysis: From Centennial to Sesquicentennial
2025-10-28 18:00 - 19:00
Discover 50 years of Oconomowoc history through a fascinating selection of artifacts, framed by the city’s milestone centennial and sesquicentennial celebrations. After the presentation, explore our museum-wide exhibit, The History of Oconomowoc in 150 Objects.
This program is open to the public. Historical society members receive free admission. Suggested donation for non-members is $10.00.
This program is a part of our year-long celebration of Oconomowoc’s sesquicentennial anniversary.

Odd Oconomowoc + Annual Meeting
2025-10-25 09:00 - 11:00
Like most museums, we have our fair share of artifacts that are creepy, kooky, and downright puzzling. Join us as we reveal what we know – and what remains a mystery – about some of the oddest objects in our collection. This presentation is free and open to the public.
Members – be sure to stick around after the presentation for our annual meeting! You will receive important information regarding the meeting in the coming weeks.
Schedule for the morning:
9:00 – Coffee
9:30 – Program
10:15 – Business meeting

I Went for a Walk in Oconomowoc
2025-10-15 17:30 | The Cornerstone, 24 S Main St, Oconomowoc, WI, 53066, United States
**Registration for this event is now closed.
Join us this fall for our annual fundraiser gala! This is our most significant fundraiser and we are making this year’s edition bigger than ever. “I Went for a Walk in Oconomowoc,” hosted at The Cornerstone, will immerse our guests in the history of Oconomowoc in celebration of its 150th anniversary.
This year’s meal and cocktail hour will be combined to create a strolling dinner with food stations intermingled with displays featuring artifacts that represent people, places, and moments in Oconomowoc’s history. The festivities will also include an auction and raffle. Board President Bob Duffy and Museum Director Justin Agar-Pratt will give a celebratory overview of Oconomowoc history during a special presentation to cap off the evening.
This event is brought to you in part by our major sponsor Bank Five Nine.
Timeline for the evening:
Cocktails & Strolling Dinner: 5:30
Program: 7:00
Tickets are $100 per person for members and $125 per person for non-members. Tickets must be purchased by October 1. We can’t wait to see you at this fun event!

Online Silent Auction
2025-10-01 09:00 - 2025-10-15 18:45
In conjunction with our annual fundraising gala, we are running an online silent auction to support our fundraising efforts. We think you’ll agree that this is the most spectacular auction line-up we’ve had yet! Here are the experiences you could win:
-Seven Night Stay at Grande Vista – Orlando, FL
-Historic Sunset Boat Tour of Lac La Belle
-Historic Sunset Boat Tour of Fowler Lake
-Historic Okauchee Lake Boat Tour
-Historic Boat Tour & Lunch at Oconomowoc Lake Club
-An Evening at the Nashotah House
-Half-day Pontoon Rental (Lac La Belle)
-Art History Lecture
Click here to see all of the details and to place your bids. Good luck and thank you for your support!

Artifact Analysis: Mid-Century Oconomowoc
2025-09-30 18:00 - 19:00
See what America’s “boom years” were like in Oconomowoc through a variety of artifacts ranging from WWII to the 1970s. After the presentation, explore our museum-wide exhibit, The History of Oconomowoc in 150 Objects.
This program is open to the public. Historical society members receive free admission. Suggested donation for non-members is $10.00. Not a member? Join today!

**CANCELLED** Community Curators
2025-09-20 10:00 - 12:00
We’ve had to cancel this program due to limited interest from collectors. If you would like to see a program like this offered in the future, please let us know. We would be happy to consider it for next year’s calendar.

Artifact Analysis: Echoes of a New Century
2025-08-26 18:00 - 19:00
Get a glimpse of Oconomowoc at the turn of the century through various artifacts reflecting the local impact of national events. After the presentation, explore our museum-wide exhibit, “The History of Oconomowoc in 150 Objects.”
This program is open to the public. Historical society members receive free admission. Suggested donation for non-members is $10.00. Not a member? Join today!

Lac La Belle Historic Boat Tours
2025-08-13 10:00 - 19:30, 2025-08-12 10:00 - 19:30, 2025-08-11 10:00 - 19:30 | City Beach, 324 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Oconomowoc, WI, 53066, United States
The Oconomowoc Area Chamber of Commerce and the Oconomowoc Area Historical Society and Museum are working together to continue to offer Historic Boat Tours of Lac La Belle.
Through our collective collaboration, and with the assistance of Buddy’s Beach Bungalow, we are honored to provide these important and entertaining tours of Oconomowoc’s rich history. The tours are a great opportunity for local residents and visitors alike to explore our area from a new perspective while enjoying scenic views of the lake.
The guided tours will launch on pontoon boats from City Beach and be narrated by volunteers from the Historical Society. Each Tour will be 90 min long. Bottled water and limited shade will be provided on each boat. Please feel free to bring Sun coverings/shade umbrellas if desired. The boats will depart promptly every two hours.
For years, the tours have been guided by passionate volunteers who share their knowledge and love of Oconomowoc. Their engaging narratives bring the past to life, highlighting architectural landmarks, hidden gems, and fascinating stories that make our city unique.”
Tours will be offered on August 11, 12, and 13 at 10:00 am, 12:00 pm, 2:00 pm, 4:00 pm & 6:00 pm. The cost of the tour is $35 per person, and advanced registration is required.
For mor information and registration, visit the Oconomowoc Area Chamber of Commerce’s website here.

Oconomowoc's Historic Library: A Guided Painting Workshop with Anjl Rodee
2025-08-10 13:00 - 17:00
Join the Oconomowoc Area Historical Society & Museum along with artist, author, and speaker Anjl Rodee for a special painting class that brings Oconomowoc’s history to life. In this guided session, participants will create a watercolor painting of the old Oconomowoc Public Library, the original home of the Oconomowoc’s first museum. No prior painting experience is required. Anjl will provide step-by-step instruction to help you craft a meaningful piece of local history. The day’s schedule includes a break for complimentary refreshments, which will be enjoyed outside, weather permitting.
This unique experience is being held at the start of Oconomowoc’s Festival Week which culminates with the Festival of the Arts, making it a perfect way to celebrate the town’s artistic and cultural heritage.
Cost & Registration:
$75 per person. All materials are included. Proceeds will be shared between Anjl Rodee and the Oconomowoc Area Historical Society & Museum. Seats are limited, register today! Registration closes Tuesday, August 5.
Click here to register

Artifact Analysis: Foundations of a Community
2025-07-29 18:00 - 19:00
Step into the past with a look at more than a dozen artifacts from Oconomowoc’s earliest years as a city. After the presentation, explore our museum-wide exhibit, “The History of Oconomowoc in 150 Objects.”
This program is open to the public. Historical society members receive free admission.
Suggested donation for non-members is $10.00.
Not a member? Join today!

A Visit to Miniatur Wunderland: The World's Largest Model Railroad
2025-04-26 10:00 - 12:00
Through pictures and videos, you’ll get the chance to visit the largest model railway system in the world, which has been voted the most popular tourist attraction in Germany. Visitors can admire different countries and even an airport and harbor in miniature size. Besides the impressive representation of Hamburg, other regions modeled include the Austrian Alps, France, Italy, Scandinavia, Monica, Rio De Janeiro and cities of the USA!
Cost: Free for members; $10.00 suggested donation for non-members

Junior Curators: 150 Edition
2025-04-12 09:00 - 10:30
Join us for a hands-on workshop where participants will discover how to document and exhibit artifacts. Each child is invited to bring an object from home that holds special meaning to them or their family. The child should be prepared to describe the significance of their chosen item in two or three sentences, sharing their story in their own words. Selected objects will be included in our upcoming exhibit, The History of Oconomowoc in 150 Objects!
This is a fantastic opportunity for the future of Oconomowoc to be a part of our community’s historic milestone! Artifacts will be on exhibit at the museum from May 30, 2025 – January 15, 2026. Best suited for children ages 8-12. Registration closes Thursday, April 3.
Cost: Free for members; $5.00 per child for non-members
Register Now
