Langlade County Historical Museum (Tour) - Clio

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Upper Floor

The upper floor is a diverse area containing a public art gallery, a large collection of military antiques, a recreation of a 20th century schoolhouse, and a room of railroad dioramas and posters.

A quaint recreation of a historical classroom from the days of one-room schoolhouses, which were common in the area until the 1960s. While Antigo had larger, urban schools, many rural students were served by small schoolhouses. This room is not meant to represent any specific school or year, but rather captures the spirit and feeling of a mid-20th century classroom.

A companion of the 440 Locomotive outside, the Railroad Room offers more details about Antigo's rich historical connections to the railroad industry. Antigo grew up as a railroad town, raised up by the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company as a hub for freight and passenger traffic throughout northern and eastern Wisconsin. This room features uniforms, dioramas, maps and photographs that help bring Antigo's golden age back to life.

Originally an auditorium for plays and public presentations, today this room is home to myriad relics associated with Antigo's military history. From the Civil War to Desert Storm, there are many historical uniforms, weapons, posters, portraits, and other curios. The rear of the room, up on the stage, is primarily concerned with World War 2 and John Bradley, of Iwo Jima fame, one of Antigo's most well-known historical residents, while the rest of the room varies in time period and focus.

Managed by Antigo Visual Arts, this space displays and sells diverse works of art created by members of the community. Many of these works can be purchased by bringing the item to the front desk on the main floor. The room also contains an exhibit of clothing and domestic artifacts.

Lower Level

The lower level contains a wide array of antique tools, equipment, and posters relating to Antigo's industry and economy.

Formerly the children's section of the library, the museum's lower level now displays a diverse range of artifacts, primarily farming and logging equipment, but also a collection of antique camera equipment and various other curios. Fishing, dairying, woodworking, farming, and manufacturing all feature prominently in this section - anybody interested in Antigo's economic and industrial history won't want to miss the lower level.

Main Floor

The museum's main floor contains its most important utilities - the front desk, the visitors' center desk, and the elevator. It also displays many artifacts which tell us about Langlade County's tribal history, European colonization, and 20th century culture.

The front entrance to the museum contains the central stairwell and has rotating displays. This staircase is another excellent example of the fine woodwork that went into the building's construction and that has been preserved over the years. Numerous portraits and artifacts from throughout Langlade County's history adorn the walls.

The main floor, once used as a library, now displays artifacts from Langlade County's history. Current exhibits include early logging, Native American beadwork, and 20th century medical equipment. It also contains a research room with extensive archives of local documents. The central main desk is staffed by the curator and volunteers, who can answer questions about the building or artifacts on display, as well as take visitors on tours of the cabin and train. Photographs of the artifacts are allowed and even encouraged!

The Welcome Center was added to the building in 2021, and is run by the Langlade County Economic Development Commission. It contains information about local attractions and events in Antigo as well as surrounding Langlade County. This area is also occasionally used for meetings, receptions, and other events, such as visits with Santa Claus or documentary premieres. It is staffed most days of the week by an employee of the Economic Development Commission who will answer visitors' questions about the area and attractions that Langlade County has to offer.

Exterior

The Langlade County Historical Society is lucky enough to possess several incredibly preserved pieces of history, including the first log cabin built by a European colonizer in Langlade County, an early 20th century steam locomotive similar to those that passed through Antigo regularly in its heyday, and the museum building itself, which was built in 1905 as a public library and was turned into a museum in 1997.

440 Steam Locomotive

The 440 Locomotive was constructed in 1900 and is a close relative of the last steam engine to travel through Antigo in 1957. It was acquired by the Langlade County Historical Society in 2005 and restored. It sits on display outside the Langlade County Historical Museum as a reminder of Antigo's storied past as a railroad hub.

Deleglise Cabin

Originally the home of Antigo's founder, Francis A. Deleglise, built in 1878, the Deleglise Cabin used to be located two blocks to the north of its current spot. In 1916, it was moved to the current location outside of the library (currently the museum). It was the first home of a European settler in what would eventually become Antigo, Wisconsin.

This Tour is a Multi-zone Tour.

Langlade County Historical Museum

Created by LIS 602 Fall 2019 (University of Wisconsin-Madison Information School) on December 2nd 2019, 9:54:10 pm.

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Description

The Langlade County Historical Museum (historically known as the Antigo Public Library and Deleglise Cabin) was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978 and serves as a reminder of the proud history underpinning Antigo, Wisconsin. The site encompasses two historic buildings: the Antigo Public Library and the Deleglise Cabin. Built in 1904 and remaining in service until 1997, the Antigo Public Library was integral in providing library services to Langlade and the surrounding counties. In 1997, the Antigo library system moved to a new building, and the entirety of the Antigo Public Library became the home of the Langlade County Historical Society.The Deleglise Cabin was built in 1878 by the founder of Antigo, Wisconsin and is widely recognized as the first home built in the city. In 1914, the cabin was relocated to 404 Superior Street.

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