About Us

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Founded in 1962, Marquette County Historical Society  has been dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of our community for over a century. Our collection of artifacts, documents, and photographs tells the story of our city from its earliest days to the present.

From our beautifully restored historic homes to our iconic landmarks, Marquette County Historical Society offers a number of sites to explore. Take a guided tour or explore on your own and discover a fascinating piece of local history.

The Marquette County Historical Society is an all-volunteer, all donation operated 501(c)3 non-profit organization.  It is located at 125 Lawrence Street in Westfield, Wisconsin, but serves all of Marquette County.  The location includes the 1903 Cochrane Nelson house built by T. Harry Cochrane, son of Robert Cochrane, a settler from Westfield, New York, who built a mill on the local creek in 1850 and who owned the land platted for the Village of Westfield. 
              After Cochrane moved to Portage in 1906, Nels Nelson purchased the home.  He owned and operated a grocery and ice cream  parlor across the mill pond. 
             The Society also manages the Kerst/Cant/Robinson Exhibit and Research building which houses an extensive collection of early artifacts from the 14 Townships, 4 villages and 1 city of Marquette County as well as records that aid in genealogy research. 
       Also on the grounds is the Henry Ellis Section House filled with early railroad memorabilia and the Riverside School, one of the earliest school buildings in the county and the oldest one still standing.  It is connected to John Muir, who spent his boyhood in Buffalo Township in Marquette County.   

       The Marquette County Historical Society owns the land and buildings which are managed by our volunteers. Donated funds are used for upkeep of the building and additions to the buildings as well as all collections and activity expenses.  

Our exhibits offer a unique glimpse into the history that shaped our community. From our immersive exhibits on local industry and business to our collections of historic clothing and accessories, there is always something new to discover at Marquette County Historical Society .