News & Events of the Alma Historical Society

Recapturing the Small River Town Atmosphere of Early Alma, Wisconsin

News & Events

Nat. Historic District

Alma Area Museum

Armistice Day 1940

State Hwy 35, Main Street

1930 Plat Maps

Photography of Gesell

Back Stories To Photos

Annual Quilt Show

2011 Quilts Photo Album

2011 Quilt Show Raffle

2011 Vintage Quilt Proj

History Projects

Family Histories

Pioneers & Settlers

Victor Probst

John Conrad Waecker

Joseph Berni

Settlers 1839-1855

Settlers 1856-1860

Settlers 1861-1865

Civil War Project

Alma Soldiers

Military Units

Letters & Journals

Land Records

Survey, Plat Map & Notes

Alma Land Patents

Census Records

Cemeteries

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HISTORY IN THE NEWS

THIS STORIED RIVER: Legend And Lore of the Upper Mississippi

Cover of this new Wisconsin Historical Society Press publication written by Dennis McCann features a colorized version of Gerhard Gesell's 19th Century photo of ALMA Wisconsin: Historic River Town' The Alma Historical Society will have copies of this book available for purchase this summer at the Alma Area Museum.

Long-time journalist Dennis McCann takes us on an intimate tour of the Upper Mississippi River -- from Dubuque, Iowa, to the Minnesota headwaters, and dozens of places in between. Far more than a travel guide, "This Storied River" celebrates the Upper Mississippi's colorful history and the unique role the river has played in shaping the Midwest.

McCann explores the stories of people and places linked by the Mighty Mississippi's past, informed by newspaper accounts, local historical society documents, and the shoe-leather research of an experienced reporter with a deep love for his subject. Each chapter includes a short list of must-see sites for the modern-day explorer.
 
  ALMA AREA MUSEUM   
 Open For The 2019 Season
  
   Alma Area Museum is open for the 2019 Season starting Memorial Day Weekend.  
  Our museum is housed in the "Buffalo County Training School" building and is open
  Saturday & Sunday afternoons, 1-4pm, Memorial Day through Labor Day.
 
  Many thanks to our volunteers, you make the museum possible! 
  Thanks to our visitors for your patronage and financial support!

 
 
Souvenier "Pin Tray"

2019 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

       
DATE                EVENT                  TIME LOCATION
       
January 22nd Monthly Meeting 7pm Alma City Hall
     
February 26th Monthly Meeting 7pm Alma City Hall
     
March 26th Monthly Meeting 7pm Alma City Hall
     
April 23rd Monthly Meeting 7pm Alma City Hall
       
May 25th Annual Meeting 2pm Alma American Legion Hall
May 25th Opening Day -- Museum 1pm Alma Area Museum
       
Weekly, Sat-Sun Museum Open 1pm-4pm Alma Area Museum
       
June 25th Monthly Meeting 7pm Alma City Hall
       
July 23rd Annual Picnic 6pm Rieck's Lake Park
       
August 27th Monthly Meeting  7pm Alma City Hall
       
September 1st Museum Closing Day 1pm-4pm Alma Area Museum
September 24th Monthly Meeting 7pm Alma City Hall
       
October 22nd Monthly Meeting 7pm Alma City Hall
        
November TBD Holiday Potluck 5pm Burlington Hotel
       
December No Monthly Meeting    

 
 
HISTORIC PRESERVATION AWARDS   

2016 Historic Preservation Award
Honoree:  Dave Bautch
Property:  113-117 South Main Street, Alma, Wisconsin

113 South Main Street two-story building was built in 1867 by John Kaeser and the 115 South Main Street building was built in 1874.  They both have had various Main Street uses over the years including the Hunner & Ginzkey Drug Store and the first bank in Alma, the Hunner & Ginzkey Exchange Bank.  117 South Main Street was built in 1906 and was the home of the German American Bank, today the home of Bautch Insurance.  

2015 Historic Preservation Award
Honoree:  Janis Schreiber and her late husband Gerald Schreiber
Property:  Laue House, 1111 South Main Street, Alma, Wisconsin.  

The Laue House was built in 1879.  Janis and Gerald Schreiber have owned the home since 1976 and were preserving, restoring and improving the property even before many had ever given thought to such an endeavor   Their building was one of the first three buildings in Alma to be listed and accepted on the National Register of Historic Places in May of 1979.  The Schreiber family has taken great pride and attention to detail in bringing the Laue House back to its original grandeur.
 
ALMA'S NATIONAL HISTORIC DISTRICT
Alma, an historic Wisconsin river town, is home to Mississippi River history and contains many historic buildings.  346 acres and over 200 buildings were included in the 1982 designation of the City of Alma as a National Historic District when it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.  This project was completed by the Alma Historical Society.
2015 ALMA Historic Preservation Award
PIECE OF ALMA'S HISTORY REVEALED
 VINTAGE SIGN FOUND ON BUILDING | Alma WI
SELZ Shoe Advertisement

A SELZ Advertising Sign was revealed in January on the buiding at 321 South Main Street.  The "SELZ Royal Blue Shoes $3.50" sign was hand-painted on tin siding on the south wall.  SELZ shoes were manufactured from 1871 through the 1920s, first in Chicago and then in other factories around Illinois.  The sign has now been removed by the building owner and its disposition is unknown at this time.  When you live in an historic river town dating back to 1848, you never know what will be uncovered!

INFORMATION FROM "Alma On The Mississippi"

321 South Main Street: Johan Adam TRITSCH & Franz Xaver TRITSCH opened their mercantile store on this site in 1872 later moving their mercantile business to their new brick building at 314 South Main in 1876.  A new building was erected at 321 South Main in 1897 by Frank TRITSCH and the first occupant was a meat market operated by Frederick SCHNEIDER & sons.  In 1905 the building was purchased from Frank TRITSCH by J L STOHR where he operated a furniture store and funeral home.
  

CIVIL WAR PROJECT
Civil War Soldiers From Alma & Buffalo County, Wisconsin

Our Nation is commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Civil War from 2011 through 2015.  The Alma Historical Society is compiling information on the 350 men who served from Alma and other communities and townships of Buffalo County. 

We have a special focus on the 68 men who represented the Buffalo County Rifles led by Major John Hauser of Fountain City.  Of these 66 soldiers, 12 died in service and 25 were wounded (with several wounded more than once).

Civil War Project 


John MOY, Gilmanton, Buffalo County, Wisconsin
  
 

Alma On The Mississippi
Now Available!

Alma Historical Society's reprinted flagship publication Alma On The Mississippi is now available.  Originally published in 1980 and reprinted in 1982 and 1994, this new edition is known as the Memorial Edition and includes the photo album added with the 1994 reprint.  Copies can be purchased by sending your check to the Alma Historical Society or by visiting the Wings Over Alma Nature & Art Center in Alma, Wisconsin.  

To purchase your copy send your check for $33 to:

Alma Historical Society
PO Box 473, Alma, Wisconsin 54610

Please allow two weeks for delivery.  
Cost includes $5 for shipping and handling.


Alma Historical Society    505 South 2nd Street     P.O. Box 473    Alma, Wisconsin  54610    contact@almahistory.info
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