Author: Michelle Gobert

Author Talk with Susan Apps-Bodilly

Join author Susan Apps-Bodilly to discuss Wisconsin’s logging boom and its impact on our landscape.

Long ago, huge trees filled the Northwoods. In the mid-1800s, logging camps and sawmills opened. Lumberjacks moved in. This was the beginning of the logging boom, when millions of trees were cut to help build towns and cities. What was it like to live and work in the woods? How did giant logs get from the forests to the sawmills? What happened after the forests were cut down?

Timber! A Northwoods Story of Lumberjacks, Logging and the Land explores the origin story of Wisconsin’s logging boom, the damage it caused to the land, and the extraordinary efforts to restore the cutover land and log sustainably. Timber! will inspire readers to explore, protect, and learn more about the trees and forests in their own communities.

The History Makers Tour is free of charge and is open to all ages.

Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages for sale.

Sponsored by the Crandon Area Historical Society and the Hotel Crandon.

Big News for Main Street: Our Historic Banner Program is Growing!

If you’ve taken a stroll down Crandon’s main street lately, you’ve probably noticed a bit more color and history hanging above the sidewalks. We are absolutely thrilled to announce that, thanks to a deeply generous donation from a local family, we were able to add 10 additional historic banners to our lineup this summer!

But the good news doesn’t stop there. These same wonderful donors have pledged the ongoing funds needed to turn this into a permanent, annual program. This means every single summer, our downtown will be vibrant with stories of our past—beautifying our streets, drawing well-deserved attention to our historic buildings, and sparking local pride.

How You Can Help Us Keep History Alive

While this incredible gift gives us a massive leap forward, the heartbeat of the Historical Society has always been our community. To keep expanding our preservation efforts, archiving new collections, and creating events that bring our history to life, we need your help.

If you love seeing our history celebrated, consider making a donation today. Every dollar stays right here in the community to protect the stories that define us.

How to give:

  • By Mail: You can mail a check made out to the Crandon Area Historical Society to our museum at: P.O. Box 432, Crandon, WI 54520. Please note “Banner Program” or “General Fund” in the memo line!
  • Explore Other Ways to Give: Want to sponsor a specific upcoming banner, or discuss a legacy gift? We would love to chat with you! Please reach out to us directly at forestctyhistory@gmail.com to explore the best option for you.

Thank you for your interest in our Society as we preserve the past and build interest in our shared history of the greater Crandon area.

Memorial Day Service

Our society is pleased to announce a donation to our archival collection of a full-length video presentation of the 2025 Memorial Day service held in the Forest County Veterans Memorial Park in downtown Crandon.

The video includes the entire ceremony in which local residents gathered to remember those who sacrificed their lives for our country and dedicated a statue that honors those heroes who gave their lives and served in World War II, who are called the “Greatest Generation”. The statue was commissioned by Earl Cummings Jr, whose father Earl Sr. had served in WW II. In addition, the ceremony provided the opportunity for many persons to express their feelings about Memorial Day and the people who served.

Music on the Porch – Summer 2025

Music has always been at the heart of community life—and this summer, we’re bringing that spirit alive once again at the Carter House Museum!

Join us at 105 W. Jackson Street in Downtown Crandon for our “Music on the Porch” summer series—three evenings of live music, local history, and community connection.

Our final event will be held on Thursday, August 7th as we welcome Crandon High School alum Brad Shepherd to our Music on the Porch series.

In case of rain, the event will move to the Night Owl Club, 103 E. Madison Street.

Come enjoy great tunes and local heritage on the porch of one of Crandon’s most historic homes. We can’t wait to see you there!

This event is sponsored by the Crandon Area Community Foundation and the Crandon Area Historical Society.

Annual Meeting Date Set

Join Us for the Crandon Area Historical Society Annual Meeting at Carter House Museum

We are excited to announce that the Crandon Area Historical Society will be holding its annual meeting on Thursday, September 26 at the historic Carter House Museum, starting at 6:00 p.m.. This is an excellent opportunity for members and the community to come together, learn about the society’s ongoing efforts, and celebrate our shared passion for Forest County’s rich history.

Special Dedication: Honoring Winnie Krueger and Contributors

This year, our annual meeting will include a special dedication ceremony. We will be expressing our heartfelt thanks to Winnie Krueger, the Krueger family, and Northern Lakes Service for their generous contributions to the creation of our new Quaker shed. Although this exciting new exhibit is still a work in progress, we invite you to come see the current displays and hear about the future plans for this historical addition. We look forward to honoring these key contributors for their vital support in making this project a reality.

Enjoy Refreshments & Connect with Fellow Members

The evening will include refreshments and a chance to mingle with fellow history lovers. Whether you’re a long-time member or new to the society, this is the perfect time to catch up on what’s happening, share stories, and make new connections.

Become a Member or Invite a Friend

As always, we are eager to welcome new members into our community. If you know someone who is interested in learning more about Forest County’s history or researching their family roots, please direct them to our new membership flyer for information. They can also join us on Facebook at “Crandon Area Historical Society” to stay up to date on our latest events and news.

Limited-Edition Historical T-Shirts

We still have a limited supply of our popular historical society T-shirts available for purchase. The blue “Blame it all on my Roots” shirt features the original Kentuck family names on the back, while the gray Lulu P. Shaw shirt honors Wisconsin’s first female mayor. Each shirt is $20, and children’s sizes are available as well. To grab one of these unique pieces of Forest County history, email us at forestctyhistory@gmail.com. Supplies are limited, so don’t wait!

A Heartfelt Thanks to Our Community

On behalf of the Crandon Area Historical Society, I want to extend my deep appreciation to all our museum guides, volunteers, fellow board members, and especially you—our members and supporters. Your continued interest, generosity, and involvement make it possible for us to preserve and share the incredible stories of Forest County. We couldn’t do it without you!

We look forward to seeing you at the annual meeting on September 26. Together, let’s celebrate our history, our community, and the exciting future ahead!

Mark your calendars and don’t miss this opportunity to engage with Forest County’s history firsthand. See you at the Carter House Museum!

Kentuck Day T-shirts Now Available

Celebrate your family heritage with a Kentuck Day t-shirt! This fundraiser is available both online and in-person at the Kentuck Day celebration.

To order online, visit http://Creativecrandon.com/crandon-historical

To purchase in-person, visit our museum or our booth at the Kentuck Day festival held Saturday, July 27th from 10-4 in the Courthouse Square.

List of names found on the back of our Kentuck T-shirt fundraiser!

Learn about Metal Detecting

Join members of the N.E.W.’s Metal Detecting Club on Thursday, June 27th at 6:30 p.m. at the Night Owl in Downtown Crandon. Members will discuss the history of metal detecting and how it connects hobbyists to local history. The group will share highlights of their visit to the Carter House museum grounds, as well as the Forest County courthouse grounds in September of 2023.

Kentucky PBS update!

The Crandon Area Historical Society is excited to announce the date/time of Kentucky PBS’ segment featuring Crandon’s Kentuck Day celebration! The Kentucky Life Segment (season 29, episode7) will air LIVE on Kentucky Educational Television on Saturday, March 16th at 7:00 p.m.

There are various ways to watch the segment live, please visit https://ket.org/program/kentucky-life/ to view your options. The segment will be added to their website shortly after it airs live.

The segment was filmed at the 2023 Kentuck Day Festival in Downtown Crandon. Several local Kentuck celebrities and local historians were interviewed as part of their visit. We look forward to sharing our unique heritage with thousands of Kentucky Life viewers!

Give the Gift of Family Heritage

Looking for a thoughtful, fun holiday present for your favorite Forest County Kentuck? We are once again working with Creative Screenprinting in downtown Crandon to offer Forest County Kentuck t-shirts for a limited time.

T-shirt sales are open NOW and orders must be placed by November 30th for delivery by Christmas. Profits from the sales goes directly to support the operations of our local historical society.

Thank you and have a safe and happy Holiday Season!

http://Creativecrandon.com/crandon-historical