Marathon County Historical Society

Our mission is to collect, preserve, and exhibit materials related to the history of Marathon County; and to use these materials to help people learn about North Central Wisconsin, discover their roots, and explore their own historical connections.

The Marathon County Historical Society provides opportunities for people to “connect” with the past and discover something about their own history and where they live. We help people learn about their own connection with the community as well as its historic roots, and how the past played a role in who they are today. We accomplish this through education, preservation, research, experiences, and entertainment.

We are a non-profit organization with few staff and many volunteers. Our research library and archives contain photos, newspaper clippings, city directories, yearbooks, and various other resources relating the history of Marathon County's people and businesses. Our collections contain a large variety of artifacts that take us back in time. Volunteers help us to continue our mission. They are the backbone of what we do and we appreciate the time they dedicate to our organization.

We maintain two beautiful, historic homes: the Yawkey House Museum offers ticketed, guided tours of this monumental moment in Wausau's history. Across the street in another beautiful building, the Woodson History Center houses our administrative offices and exhibits. There is no charge to tour this building or the current exhibits that include The 1920s Rebellion, Prosperity and Loss and Ain’t She Sweet:  Women in the 1920s and of course, our award winning core exhibit Our Stories that relates the lives of the people of the area.

We hold several events throughout the year, like our Valentines Family Tea, Holidays at the Houses, My Dolly and Me: A Garden Party, Storytime in the Garden and the ever popular Cemetery Tour.

We present a variety of programs and speakers related to our exhibits, as well as interesting and informative topics relative to our local and state history. We also coordinate and supervise the programming at the Little Red Schoolhouse, during sessions in both the Spring and the Fall, directed at local fourth grade students from throughout the county.

There is a never ending list of opportunities for someone willing to share their time and talents. Select a specific area of interest or do a little of everything. Every volunteer receives an honorary membership to the Marathon County Historical Society, including special invites to all events, our newsletter, and an annual volunteer appreciation reception.