BAYFIELD HERITAGE ASSOCIATION
ABOUT US
PRESERVING AND SHARING OUR HERITAGE SINCE 1974
2023 Museum Hours
We Are…
…small but mighty, award-winning and recognized as a regional leader for local history organizations. We have received two awards from the Wisconsin Historical Society recognizing the quality of our museum exhibits (2010) and our educational programming (2021) for re-envisioning and launching our “virtual” John Matthew Black program series.
The Bayfield Heritage Association (BHA) has served Bayfield, Wisconsin and the surrounding Lake Superior region for nearly five decades. 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.
We are also…
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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 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.
Explore our 2019 – 2024 Strategic Plan
Community Focused
BHA has been instrumental in shaping the historic character of our downtown and embedding this into the culture and experience of Bayfield.
Some examples include:
- Helping to establish the Bayfield Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Raising funds to save the Old Bayfield County Courthouse in the 1970’s which currently serves as the National Park Service headquarters.
- Commissioning Big Top Chautauqua’s popular Riding the Wind historic musical in 1985.
Our Recent Accomplishments
We are pleased to share that, as of summer 2021, we have accomplished nearly all of the goals and objectives outlined in our 2019-2024 Strategic Plan!
We have our donors, grantors, hard-working staff and volunteers to thank for this! Our most recent accomplishments include:
- Adding the new Bayfield Model Railroad exhibit on our lower level.
- Restoring local historic landmarks including the Old Bayfield City Jail and Fountain Garden Park.
- Redesigning and improving our website.
- Creating a 360 virtual museum experience.
- Developing a growing collection of virtual programs and resources.
- Winning the 2021 Wisconsin Historical Society’s Public Program Award.
Our Board of Directors
Marilyn Van Sant, Vice President
Marti Peterson, Treasurer
Sue Gerzina, Secretary
Kristin Connell
Mary Jo Fairbanks
Ellen Hauser
John Klungness
Mike Spence
Dan Wilczek
BAYFIELD HERITAGE ASSOCIATION
2022 Museum Hours
Our museum is closed for the season. We will see you again in the summer of 2023!
If you would like to visit by appointment:
Call (715) 779-5958