Capital campaign raises $180,000
The Waupaca Historical Society raised more than $180,000 through private donations and grants during its first-ever capital campaign.
The funds were put toward installing a new roof, renovating the lower-level meeting room and installing a hearing loop, and upgrading the kitchen and collections storage area at the Holly History and Genealogy Center.
“We are incredibly grateful to our community, supporters and volunteers that made this capital campaign a huge success,” said Tracy Behrendt, director of the Waupaca Historical Society and chair of the Capital Campaign Committee.
The Waupaca Historical Society’s Capital Campaign Committee included Behrendt, Tim Drake, Jody Jansen, Aaron Jenson, Dennis Lear, Kent Pegorsch, Nancy Ross, Nancy Weasner and the late Jack Rhodes.
“These projects have enabled the Waupaca Historical Society to grow in new ways, which is just amazing,” Behrendt said. “We have been able to create a more accessible space for our community and also provide safe, archival storage for our collections.”
The Waupaca Historical Society’s next Capital Campaign project will be a new HVAC system at the Hutchinson House Museum. The current system is more than 30 years old and currently does not control the climate on the second floor, creating a less than ideal space for storage and display.
“As one of the oldest residences in Waupaca and the first home for the Waupaca Historical Society, it is incredibly important for us to preserve the Hutchinson House Museum for today and for future generations,” Behrendt said. “A new HVAC is a big part of that goal.”
The former Waupaca Public Library building now serves as the Holly Center, the Waupaca Historical Society’s main exhibit, collections storage and office space. It also has a meeting room in the lower level available for meetings, rentals and programs.
Since 1953, the Waupaca Historical Society has worked to preserve the history of Waupaca and the Chain O’Lakes. What began as efforts to preserve one of the oldest buildings in the city of Waupaca has grown to include the preservation of four sites and four buildings, an ever-growing artifact and archival collection, programs and events, and community outreach.
The Waupaca Historical Society operates the Holly History and Genealogy Center on South Main Street, the Waupaca Depot on Oak Street and the Hutchinson House Museum in South Park.