GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The Brown County Historical Society celebrated a milestone jubilee Monday.
The group is marking its quasquicentennial, or 125th anniversary. To commemorate the occasion, Brown County Executive Troy Streckenbach made a special presentation in front of Hazelwood Historic House and Museum in Green Bay.
“I think this organization started off really strong in the preservation field and we’ve just continued,” said Christine Dunbar, executive director of the Brown County Historical Society, “Our following, a lot of what was done at the time, a lot of preservation things, education, trying to share the stories of the community and the county. And we’re just continuing to do it.”
The society’s beginnings date back to 1899, when former Green Bay Mayor Arthur Neville and 48 community leaders met to organize the Green Bay Historical Society. The name was later changed to the Brown County Historical Society when residents of De Pere expressed interest in joining the organization.
It’s funny when you think that 125 years ago, people in the community were already worried that the history was being lost because buildings that were fort buildings were being taken down and they thought the whole immigration story was being lost… And it’s really important that they saved those things.
The Brown County Historical Society was the first area historical society to be affiliated with the State Historical Society of Wisconsin.
It has been instrumental in preserving numerous historical structures in Brown County, as well as in the creation of Heritage Hill Stage Park. Dunbar says the society’s many educational programs, events and preservation activities support the appreciation of the rich heritage of Brown County.
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