Historical Society receives top honor

PLOVER — The Portage County Historical Society (PCHS) was awarded the 2025 Reuben Gold Thwaites Trophy on September 24 at Heritage Park in Plover. The trophy, awarded annually by the Wisconsin Historical Society, is the highest honor given to a local history organization in the state.
The award recognizes PCHS’s transformation over the past several years. In 2021, the Society transitioned from an all-volunteer organization to hiring professional staff for the first time in its nearly 70-year history. Since then, PCHS has expanded programs, launched new exhibits, revitalized historic sites and strengthened its role as a vibrant community partner.
“This award reflects both the hard work of those who built this organization in the past and the vision that has guided us in recent years,” said John Harry, Executive Director of the Portage County Historical Society. “The decision in 2021 to professionalize our operations was a turning point. It allowed us to grow, to take risks, and to make local history an active part of our community’s cultural life. This recognition affirms that work, but it also inspires us to keep moving forward.”