Peshtigo Fire Museum
Introduction
Text-to-speech Audio
On October 8, 1871, the deadliest fire in American history swept across areas on either side of the Green Bay, with most of it on the western side. The exact number of deaths is not known but the it is estimated that 800-2,500 people perished. Interestingly, the fired occurred on the same day as the Great Chicago Fire and as a result has been largely overshadowed by that devastating fire. The Peshtigo Fire Museum preserves the history of the fire and commemorates all those who died. The museum features artifacts on display as well as first-person accounts. Notable items include a church tabernacle saved by Father Peter Pernin, who plunged himself into the Peshtigo River. Other artifacts include a bible and a melted glass dish. The general history of the town and area are covered, as well. The museum is housed in the first church built after the fire. Next to the church is a graveyard in which 350 people are buried; none could be identified as their family members died and the condition of the remains themselves were too severely burned.
Images
Backstory and Context
Text-to-speech Audio