Caledonia Historical Society

MEET A CHS VOLUNTEER

Wende Zinda became a member of the Caledonia Historical Society in October 2021.  She spotted the information about a CHS meeting in the Racine Journal Times, came to a meeting, met a longtime member, Nancy Nelson, and decided to join.

Wende has a long history of volunteering:

At her children’s schools when they were young

At the hospital outreach program where she worked as a cardiac nurse.

As a master naturalist which led to her leading field trips for the Caledonia Conservancy, Wehr Nature Center, and the Riverbend Nature Center.

As a collector of data on fireflies and pollinators and birds.

Wende has already volunteered many hours with the Caledonia Historical Society as a docent and helping with the special events.

THE 1877 CALEDONIA TOWN HALL

The 1877 Caledonia Town Hall was originally located just south of 5 Mile Rd along what is now Highway 38.  After the Town Hall was no longer in service, the property ownership changed several times.  In 1999 the deteriorating structure was sold back to Caledonia.  In 2001 a small group of stalwart citizens got together to save the structure from being destroyed.  The group formed the beginning of the  Caledonia Historical Society (CHS).

After years of preparation that included removing all the damaged plaster and lath from the wall and adding enough  interior support to ensure the building would withstand the journey, the building slowly moved a quarter mile down the highway very early in the morning of December 4, 2003.

The Town Hall underwent two years of restoration with a celebration of the completion of the restoration on August 26, 2007.

The Caledonia Historical Society became a 501(c)3 non-profit organization in 2003 and has established the Caledonia Historical Village which is just east of Hwy 38 on 5 Mile Rd.  The 1877 Town Hall is the foundation of the CHS preservation efforts.

MEMBERSHIP FORMS AND DONATIONS

The link for the membership form and donation information can be found on the ABOUT page.  You need to scroll down the page.  You can donate either by mailing a check or online.  The CHS is a 501(c)3.

VISIT THE BEAUTIFUL GROUNDS OF THE CALEDONIA HISTORICAL VILLAGE

The grounds are open from dawn to dusk.  If you use the CHV grounds for special event photography, please make a donation.   The CHV is owned and operated by the volunteers of the Caledonia Historical Society with funding coming from membership dues, donations, grants and fund raising activities.  There is no funding from a governmental source.

CHS MEETINGS

The CHS meets the third Thursday of the month at 6:30 pm.  The October and November meetings will be held at the Franksville Park Building, 9614 Hwy K.   The December, 2022 through March, 2023 regular monthly meetings have been temporarily suspended.  However, CHS Board meetings will be held on a regular basis and are open to the public.  The Board Meetings will be posted on the calendar page.  If you wish to be notified when a board meeting is going to be held, use the CONTACT US page on this website.