SUMMER AT THE CALEDONIA HISTORICAL VILLAGE

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OPEN HOUSES

The Caledonia Historical Society will be holding open houses at the Caledonia Historical Village on June 18th, July 16th, August 20th and October 15th.  The open house hours are 12:00 pm until 4:00 pm.  All buildings are open with docents.  Visit the museum to see the changes in the exhibits.

FALL FEST CAR SHOW

The second annual Fall Fest Car show will be September 9th from 10 am to 4 pm.  The Brew Town Cruisers will be presenting their 42nd annual car show.  There will be food for purchase, a bake sale,  all buildings will be open with docents, and much more.  More information will be coming soon.

MEET A CHS MEMBER

Robert Franitza joined the Caledonia Historical Society in 2022.  He retired in 2021 after working 45 years in the printing industry.  He and his wife have been married for 42 years, and they have lived in Caledonia for 22 years.  They have three grown children.  Bob was encouraged by long-time member, Clarence, to visit the grounds of the Caledonia Historical Village (CHV) and to learn about the Caledonia Historical Society.  Bob joined and is a regular participant of the Monday and Thursday work crew who maintain the historic buildings and the grounds.  Bob enjoys learning the history of the area and sharing what he has learned with the visitors to the CHV.

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 UPCOMING EVENTS and MEET THE CHS PRESIDENT

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THE CHS PRESIDENT

Dave Biehl came to the Caledonia Historical Society (CHS) five years ago from the Lancaster, TX Historical Society where he served on the board.  His parents developed his interest in history from an early age by visiting old houses and sites during extensive travel.  He retired from Baylor Hospital, and marriage brought him back to Wisconsin.  Dave has been a guiding light for the CHS.

UPCOMING EVENTS

April 20th Meeting

There will be guest speakers at the April 20th monthly meeting.  The meeting will be held at the Franksville Park, 9614 Hwy K, Franksville starting at 6:30 pm.  Henry Hecker and Peter Maas of the Mukwonago Historical Socierty will be talking about 19th century Wisconsin Potters, specifically the Novak potter of Caledonia.  They have done a great deal of research as is evidenced on the website they created, www.madefromclay.org.  John Novak/Nowak was a Caledonia potter.

Starting in May the monthly membership meetings held on the third Thursday of the month at 6:30 pm will be in the 1877 Town Hall at the Caledonia Historical Village.

May 21st Spring Fling

The Spring Fling is back with activities for all ages .  The event takes place at the Caledonia Historical Village on 5 Mile Rd just east of Hwy 38 from 10 am to 4 pm.  .  There will be a bouncy house, face painting, and rope making.  All of the historic buildings will be open with docents.  The Dulcimer group will provide live music from 1 pm to 3 pm.  There will be a bake sale in the 1900 Botting Machine Shed. Hot dogs, popcorn, and soda will be available for purchase.  Admission and parking are free but donations are requested to help maintain the historic structures.

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 VOLUNTEER PROFILE

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MEET A CHS VOLUNTEER

Belinda Copus has been a CHS member since 2019.  She and her family have lived on a farm in Caledonia for the past 18 years.  They own and operate Country Meadows, a small business that makes goat’s milk soap, lotion, and soy candles.

Her background in farming is what brought her to CHS.  She wants to help teach and inform people of the history of Caledonia, especially the heritage of the farming community.

Belinda is the chairman of the South Milwaukee Downtown Market.  She volunteers for the Star and Stripes Honor Flight, and she is a poll worker.

Belinda says: “It’s important to stay involved in your community.  That’s what makes it a community.”

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.

 

 

CHS VOLUNTEER PROFILE

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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.

COMING SEPTEMBER 10TH–CAR CLUB SHOW

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BREWTOWN CRUISERS MERCURY CAR CLUB SHOW

The Brewtown Cruisers Mercury Car Club featuring 1949-1951 Mercury and Lincolns in conjunction with the Caledonia Historical Society will be holding their 41st annual car show on September 10th at the Caledonia Historical Village.

The Caledonia Historical Village is located at 7330 5 Mile Rd, just east of Hwy 38.  The car show will take place from 10 am to 4 pm with awards given out at 3 pm.

There will be BBQ style food, a beer tent, a 50/50 raffle and a live DJ spinning 50s and 60s music.  There will also be a bake sale, and the historic buildings in the Caledonia Historical Village will be open with docents.

Admission is free.  Donations to the Caledonia Historical Society will be gratefully accepted.

OPEN HOUSES

There will be an open house at the CHV the third Sunday of the month June through August and again in  October.  The buildings will be open with docents.  The hours are 12 pm to 4 pm.  The buildings will be open September 10th as a part of the Brewtown Cruisers Mercury Car Club Show being held at the Caledonia Historical Village from 10 am to 4 pm.

Staring with the July 17th open house, David Curran will be on the grounds with his Civil War armory display.  His grandfather was a Union Civil War Veteran.

 

MEMBERSHIP FORMS AND DONATION INFORMATON

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 Caledonia Historical Society(CHS) is a 501(c)3.

THE CALEDONIA HISTORICAL VILLAGE

The Caledonia Historical Village is located just east of Hwy 38 on 5 Mile Rd.  The grounds are open from dawn until 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 CHS with funding coming from membership dues, grants and donations.  There is no funding from a governmental source.

CHS MEETINGS

The CHS meets the third Thursday of the month at 6:30 pm.  The public is welcome.  The meeting site for June through October will be the 1877 Town Hall at the CHV.  Please follow the EVENTS page on this site for notification of programs that will be held after the business meeting.