Celebrating 50 Years of Preserving Menomonie’s History

The Wilson Place Museum Turns 50

In 2026, the Wilson Place Museum proudly celebrates its 50th Anniversary—a milestone that honors five decades of preserving, interpreting, and sharing the stories that helped shape Menomonie.

Since opening as a museum in 1976, the Wilson Place has welcomed thousands of visitors, students, researchers, and community members through its doors. What began as a vision to save one of Menomonie’s most significant historic homes has become a lasting commitment to preserving our community’s heritage for future generations.

Today, the Wilson Place Museum stands not only as a beautifully restored historic home, but as a place where the stories of Menomonie’s lumber industry, business leaders, innovators, educators, and everyday citizens continue to come alive.

View Full Schedule & Purchase Tickets

A Weekend of Celebration

Join us June 26–28, 2026, for a special three-day celebration filled with history, music, family activities, tours, and community memories.

Friday, June 26

- Mansion Tours – Buy Tickets
- New Tour – Below the Mansion: A Working History Tour – Buy Tickets
- Dinner, Music & Memories: Celebrating 50 Years of Wilson Place – Buy Tickets
- 1927 Popcorn Truck
- Button Making
- Paint the Wilson Place Art Project
- Community Story Board
- Time Capsule Experience

Saturday, June 27 – Kids & Family Day

Mansion Tours – Buy Tickets
New Tour – Below the Mansion: A Working History Tour – Buy Tickets
Wilson Place 50th Anniversary Afternoon Tea – Buy Tickets
Old-Fashioned Games
Ice Cream Sundaes
Popcorn Truck
Community Art Activities
Amateur Radio Field Day Demonstrations- For More Info
Time Capsule Experience

Sunday, June 28

Mansion Tours – Buy Tickets
New Tour – Below the Mansion: A Working History Tour – Buy Tickets
Wilson Place 50th Anniversary Afternoon Tea – Buy Tickets
Ice Cream Sundaes
Popcorn Truck
Community Story Sharing
Final Opportunity to Participate in the Time Capsule Project

Introducing a New Tour Experience

As part of the anniversary celebration, visitors will have an opportunity to experience a brand-new specialty tour:

Below the Mansion: A Working History Tour

Step beneath the mansion and discover the working spaces that supported life in Menomonie during the late 1800s and early 1900s.

This guided experience includes:

A recreated general store and hardware display
Historic woodworking equipment and craftsmanship projects
Logging and agricultural tools
Artifacts that tell the story of everyday work and innovation

Because of the unique spaces involved, tour groups are limited to just eight participants per tour, providing a more personal and interactive experience.

See the Schedule and buy your ticket today – Buy Tickets

Looking Forward Through the Time Capsule Project

One of the most exciting features of the anniversary weekend is the Wilson Place Time Capsule Project.

Visitors will have the opportunity to write letters to:

Their future selves (to be opened in 10 years)
Future family members (to be opened in 50 years)
Future residents of Menomonie (to be opened in 100 years)

These letters will help create a snapshot of life in 2026 for future generations to discover.

Thank You

The Wilson Place Museum exists because of the dedication of countless volunteers, donors, members, community partners, and visitors who have supported historic preservation over the past 50 years.

As we celebrate this milestone, we invite everyone—whether you have visited dozens of times or have never stepped through our doors—to join us in honoring the past and looking toward the future.

We look forward to welcoming you to the Wilson Place Museum’s 50th Anniversary Celebration.