Up Next!
Donate
BHA Header Logo

A Museum & Archive Center with Purpose

We bring history to Life!
Support BHA

BHA

About Us

The Bayfield Heritage Association is an affiliate of the Wisconsin Historical Society. We are a nonprofit dedicated to collecting, preserving, and sharing the history & culture of Bayfield, WI and the surrounding region since 1974.

BHA Logo

We are a small but mighty, award-winning museum and archive center recognized as a regional leader for local history organizations.

We are unique in that we not only collect and preserve our areas’ past through an extensive physical and electronic archival collection, but we bring this history to life through museum exhibits, educational programming and preservation of historic sites.

Our mission is to preserve, protect, and promote the cultural and historical legacy of Bayfield through a variety of programs, exhibits, and educational initiatives.

BHA has received multiple awards from the Wisconsin Historical Society recognizing the quality of our museum. Awards include the Museum Exhibit Award for The Bayfield Flood of 1942 (2010) and the WHS Public Program Award (2021) for re-envisioning and launching our “virtual” John Matthew Black program series.

More recently we were honored with the prestigious Reuben Gold Thwaites Award for Excellence in Local History in 2024!  The Thwaites Trophy recognizes an affiliated historical organization for continued excellence and overall service to its community. BHA has demonstrated merit and success in collecting, preserving, and sharing local history since 1974 in Bayfield, WI—50 years!

We Are

Your Title Goes Here

Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.

Dedicated

We are dedicated to:

  • Fostering an understanding and appreciation for our region’s rich heritage.
  • Building a strong community identity by sharing the stories of Bayfield’s past.
  • Attracting visitors, both online and in-person, of all ages and backgrounds through engaging exhibits, rich educational programming, and fellowship opportunities.
  • Providing a space for our community to continue making its history, thus adding to Bayfield’s enduring legacy.

 

Strategic

To remain a leader and valuable community resource, the Board of Directors continues to actively plan so that we can thrive for the next 50+ years. In 2019, the Board underwent a Strategic Planning process, developing a 5-year roadmap that outlines specific goals and actions to further BHA’s mission.

It also lays the groundwork for a future museum expansion. In 2019, BHA acquired the parcel of land just to our north, anticipating the need for added archival storage, exhibit and program space down the road.

In 2025, BHA is developing a bold new strategic plan focused on strengthening fundraising efforts for a well-deserved expansion, enhancing online resources, and creating more meaningful ways to engage the community.

 

Community Focused

Since 1974, Bayfield Heritage Association proudly serves the community by preserving local history and creating spaces where people can learn, gather, and connect.

Through our year-round programs, engaging events, and hands-on educational opportunities, we bring Bayfield’s stories to life for residents and visitors of all ages.

Our Archive & Research Center provides a welcoming resource for students, genealogists, families, and history enthusiasts seeking to explore Bayfield’s past.

Our fascinating summer museum offers an immersive experience through exhibits, artifacts, and rotating features that showcase the richness of our region.

In addition to our programs and museum, we steward two of Bayfield’s most cherished historic landmarks: the Old Bayfield City Jail and Fountain Garden Park. By maintaining these beloved community spaces, we ensure that Bayfield’s heritage remains visible, accessible, and meaningful.

Whether someone is enjoying the tranquility of the park, stepping inside the historic jail, attending a lecture, or discovering new stories in the archives, we strive to provide opportunities that strengthen community pride and keep Bayfield’s history vibrant for generations to come.

 

Our Recent Accomplishments

We have our donors, grantors, hard-working staff and volunteers to thank for this! Our most recent accomplishments include:

  • Framing and showcasing the Leonard Anderson Watercolor Exhibit.
  • Completing the Anishinaabe Birchbark Canoe Exhibit.
  • Restoring the north walkway of Fountain Garden Park with well over a hundred personalized, engraved bricks.
  • Redesigning and improving our website.
  • Creating an online research center of our expansive archive collection of over 19,000 records.
  • Developing a growing collection of programs and resources.
  • Winning the 2024 Wisconsin Historical Society’s Ruben Gold Thwaites Award.
View Past Accomplishments

Our Staff

Trisha Miller, Administrative Director – Contact

Rose Melin, Bookkeeper – Contact

Our Board of Directors

Jerry Phillips, President 

Marilyn Van Sant, Vice President

Ellen Hauser, Treasurer

Sue Gerzina

Mary Jo Fairbanks