KEWAUNEE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — A project to preserve history is underway along the Lakeshore.
Shelves at the Kewaunee County Historical Society store valuable documents and more.
From the 1882 Fresnel lens from the original Kewaunee Pierhead light, to the display commemorating area congressman Alvin E. O’Konski, the museum has a lot to offer. But along the walls, Kewaunee County History Historical Society President Richard Dorner says the room is showing its age.
“This shelving goes back to the 1930s. One of the things we need is more storage space. The problem with the existing cabinetry is we haven’t got the ability to use it for practical things. We need the shelving. It just isn’t adequate to accommodate ringed-binders and documents,” said Richard Dorner, Kewaunee County Historical Society President.
On a tour Monday morning, Kewaunee County Historical Society Vice President John Schultz says shelving is a situation throughout the building.
“Those are just all bookshelves. I’ve repaired them on a number of times where a shelf collapsed and it collapsed on the next one down. It’s just old. It’s not doing its job,” said John Schultz, Kewaunee County Historical Society Vice President.
Museum officials are asking for help. A capital campaign is underway to raise about $75,000. The plan calls for new shelving and locking cabinets to help preserve the area’s rich history.
“We lose our history, we lose everything,” said Schultz.
“History is very important to not just the present. We need to maintain records and documents. It’s for the future,” said Dorner.
Work is expected to begin in April or May of 2027.
