You are our (hi)story.
Navigating this past year has challenged us all to adapt to a new reality, one we never imagined. And, yet, we have history to show us the way: past pandemics, wars, and natural disasters that underscore what really matters. It’s the people, the stories, and the cherished places that provide us with meaning and direction in chaotic times. These difficult periods inspire us to help in any way we can, ensuring that everyone’s needs are met.
You hear examples of this in the accounts of neighbors responding to the Flood of 1942: providing food and water to the emergency workers, unburying downtown Bayfield one shovel at a time, and providing shelter to those who lost homes. We also see it in the stories of Sand Island immigrant families: pooling resources, helping one another with farming, childcare, transportation, and procuring necessities to survive in their remote Lake Superior setting.
These examples of neighbors helping neighbors continues today thanks to the hard work of local nonprofits and the generosity of our communities. COVID-19 has shown us the power of technology and our ability to reach beyond Bayfield to individuals with ties to our area from all over the country, and even the world. While we have been unable to gather in person, the Bayfield Heritage Association has brought together over 500 individuals from coast to coast, including Wisconsin K-12 students, in our seven virtual programs since March. We have reached thousands more through our educational program recordings on YouTube, Facebook and our website. If you haven’t already, we invite you to check these out!
It has been our privilege, for 46 years, to serve as your local history center; collecting, preserving and sharing the stories that touch our hearts and tie us all together in this special place. We are asking for your support at this time so that we can continue providing our community with a place to gather, to learn, and to make history. Our goal for this campaign is $30,000. Every dollar raised provides essential operating funds for our free museum; our educational programs; and our Pike Research Center - housing an extensive collection of local archives such as photos, newspapers, historic objects, paintings, and more - that preserves our area’s rich history. Also, please stay tuned regarding our museum expansion efforts. These were put on a temporary hold as we responded to COVID, but our board is still committed to planning for a robust history center and community gathering space for Bayfield.
We could not do this without you – thank you for your support!
Navigating this past year has challenged us all to adapt to a new reality, one we never imagined. And, yet, we have history to show us the way: past pandemics, wars, and natural disasters that underscore what really matters. It’s the people, the stories, and the cherished places that provide us with meaning and direction in chaotic times. These difficult periods inspire us to help in any way we can, ensuring that everyone’s needs are met.
You hear examples of this in the accounts of neighbors responding to the Flood of 1942: providing food and water to the emergency workers, unburying downtown Bayfield one shovel at a time, and providing shelter to those who lost homes. We also see it in the stories of Sand Island immigrant families: pooling resources, helping one another with farming, childcare, transportation, and procuring necessities to survive in their remote Lake Superior setting.
These examples of neighbors helping neighbors continues today thanks to the hard work of local nonprofits and the generosity of our communities. COVID-19 has shown us the power of technology and our ability to reach beyond Bayfield to individuals with ties to our area from all over the country, and even the world. While we have been unable to gather in person, the Bayfield Heritage Association has brought together over 500 individuals from coast to coast, including Wisconsin K-12 students, in our seven virtual programs since March. We have reached thousands more through our educational program recordings on YouTube, Facebook and our website. If you haven’t already, we invite you to check these out!
It has been our privilege, for 46 years, to serve as your local history center; collecting, preserving and sharing the stories that touch our hearts and tie us all together in this special place. We are asking for your support at this time so that we can continue providing our community with a place to gather, to learn, and to make history. Our goal for this campaign is $30,000. Every dollar raised provides essential operating funds for our free museum; our educational programs; and our Pike Research Center - housing an extensive collection of local archives such as photos, newspapers, historic objects, paintings, and more - that preserves our area’s rich history. Also, please stay tuned regarding our museum expansion efforts. These were put on a temporary hold as we responded to COVID, but our board is still committed to planning for a robust history center and community gathering space for Bayfield.
We could not do this without you – thank you for your support!
Give securely by debit or credit card by clicking on the DONATE button above, or simply mail a check made out to the 'Bayfield Heritage Association' to: PO Box 137, Bayfield, WI 54814.
The Bayfield Heritage Association is a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation, EIN: 39-1307338. All donations are tax-deductible.