Many local residents do not realize what a large part Adams County played in the Civil War.  To commemorate Adams County’s role in that war fought 150 years ago, the Adams County Historical Society invites you to hear the Civil War “Voices from the Past” of the Adams County men and women who experienced the war.  The event will take place starting at 1:00 pm, Saturday, May 18, 2013 at the historical society’s Adams County Heritage Center, 311 Main Street, Friendship.

Through present day readers, you will meet Isaac Earl from northeast Adams County who famously led a corps of raiders through the south; Jane Bonnell from Point Bluff who sent seven sons into the war; James Barney from White Creek who was part of the famous Iron Brigade; and Sophronius Landt from Big Spring who dropped out of Brunson Institute at Point Bluff to join in the fight.  A Power Point presentation will accompany the readings.  For more information call Harry or Lucille Davis at 608-339-6867.

The Adams County Heritage Center and Heritage Book and Gift Shop is regularly open  Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from Noon until 5:00 pm.

Saturday September 1st is the Grand Opening of the Society’s “Heritage Book and Gift Shop” in the south side of the newly acquired historic building at 311 Main Street in Friendship, Wisconsin.

Heritage Book and Gift Shop features local history books by local authors including the popular new Railroad Memories, Adams and the C&NW. The shop also offers a wide variety of gifts and decorative items at surprisingly low prices.

One Day Only and In Store Only From Past to Present is 1/3 off.

For the Grand Opening Heritage Book and Gift Shop is offering From Past to Present, The History of Adams County for $20 (1/3 off the regular $30 price tag)  Offer is good for Saturday, September 1st, 2012 and for in-store purchases only.  No mail order.  Offer is made in conjunction with the opening of the Featured Family Prgram’s opening of “Two Fathers, One War” display.

Saturday & Sunday, September 1st and 2nd  Noon to 5:00 pm

The Adams County Historical Society’s newly acquired Adams County Heritage Center Building at 311 Main Street, Friendship, WI will open with an exhibit in the north side of the building of “Two Fathers, One War” by Marcia L. Pollock Wysocki.

Ms Wysocki is the daughter of two Adams County veterans of WWII.  Melvin L. Pollock served in the Pacific Theater and many of his war time possesions were recently discovered in an old farm house once owned by his family: His personal mission logs, propaganda leaflets and many other noteworthy items will be on display.

Melvin Pollack was killed in an accident when Marcia was just a year old.  A few years later, her mother married Clarence H. Mathe.  Clarence, who still lives in Friendship was on the front lines when the Battle of the Bulge began in the European Theater.  One of the many items of Clarence’s collection that will be displayed is a wooden box that a German POW made for him.

The Two Fathers exhibit will continue to be on display thoughout September during normal open hours: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday Noon to 5:00 pm

Saturday September 1st is also the Grand Opening of the Society’s “Heritage Books and Gift Shop in the south side of the building.

Saturday, October 6, 2012

Each fall, members of the Society stand beside the graves of deceased Adams County residents and represent the “spirits” of those departed neighbors. Visitors to this year’s Adams County Historical Society’s cemetery tour will hear the stories of “spirits” from Cottonville, Monroe Center and :New Rome Cemeteries.  People joining the tour will meet the bus at 9:30 am at the McGowan House Museum, at 507 Main Street in Friendship, WI.  Lunch will be served after the tour at Woodland Lutheran Church.  The $12.00 price for the cemetery tour includes the tour, the bus transportaion and lunch.  Please RSVP by October 3rd to Lucille Davis at 608-339-6867.

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

The last of the Adams County Historical Society’s Adams County Township visits will take place Wednesday, October 10 at the New Haven Town Hall, 330 Golden Court, Wisconsin Dells, WI.  The Historical Society Meeting will be held starting at 6:00 pm and the New Haven Town Historical Program will begin at 7:00 pm.  1880, 1900 and 1919 plat handouts will be available.  Bring your memories and memorabilia to share.

The Adams County Historical Society Board of Directors meets except as noted elsewhere at 7:00 pm on the second Wednesday of January, March, April, June, July, September, October and December at the McGowan House Museum, Main Street, Friendship, WI.  Meetings are open to the public

ACHS Membership Meetings are held at the same time and place as the Directors meetings on the second Wednesdays of February, August and November.

The ACHS Annual Meeting and election of officers is held at the same time and place as the Directors meeting on the second Wednesday of May.

The McGowan House is open for tours  May through September on Saturday afternoons and other times by appointment.  Family and group tours can be arranged in the off season.