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Westby Area
Historical Society

Westby Area Historical SocietyWestby Area Historical SocietyWestby Area Historical Society

What We're doing

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OUR  MISSION 

The Westby Area Historical Society is an educational organization that responsibly collects, preserves, promotes and communicates the history, culture and heritage of the Westby, WI area for current and future generations. 


OUR  PURPOSE

We believe that the history of the Westby, WI area is important to preserve.  We collect photographs, artifacts and documents outlining the history of the Westby area. Our collections are held at the Thoreson House Museum, one of the community's historic homes with an impressive pedigree. 


Our museum was built as the home of Katherine and Theodore Thoreson in 1892. Their son, Bennett, became the first mayor of  the City of Westby when the city was incorporated in 1920. The building was purchased by WAHS in 1993 and now serves as the home of WAHS. 


As a museum, we collect artifacts relating to pioneer families, as well as preserve the genealogical and historical information of their descendants who stayed in the Westby area. The displays are planned, designed and constructed by WAHS volunteers so that adults, teens and children who visit the museum can learn from and enjoy them. The spacious grounds can be used for various WAHS and community events throughout the year.  A meeting space is available and even weddings can be accommodated. 


Our "History Keepers" Newsletter

Published four times a year, our newsletter tells our members about new acquisitions, volunteer opportunities, our events, and highlights stories and old images of Westby.   


Our Museum Displays

Our museum highlights themed displays that reflect specific Westby area history including a veteran's honor room, Syttende Mai, farming, one-room schools, ski jumping and area churches.  We have a research library which emphasizes genealogical and historical materials from the area. 

 

Our Community Outreach

Special  displays requested by members and organizations in the community; conversations and presentations at local retirement centers; providing resources to teachers in our local school district; and partnering with the Bekkum Memorial Library help to highlight some of WAHS's wonderful artifacts and share information held at the Thoreson House Museum.  


Our Collections

WAHS is proud to hold Westby School District student grades and attendance records dating back to the 1890s, tobacco seller records from the early 1900s, as well as the Westby Sons of Norway meeting minutes and financial ledgers starting at their beginning in 1916.  Our genealogy records include copies of the Coon Prairie Church records, Our Saviors Church records, Vernon County birth , marriage and death records as well as many family histories.


Our Blog

You can find an amazing amount of information about Westby and our surrounding area by visiting the WAHS blog, Westby, Wisconsin Remembered, at www.westbyhistory.blogspot.com.



2020 WAHS Officers

President:  Blaine Hedberg

Vice President:  Fred Jefson

Secretary/Treasurer:  Kathy Anderson


Additional Board of Directors Members

Dorothy La Due

Garland McGarvey

Siv Ann Meyer

Carol Navrestad

Marlo Volden


Curator

Blaine Hedberg


Newsletter Editor  

Kathy Anderson


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