About Us
Evansville Grove Society
The Evansville Grove Society preserves, interprets, and supports the historic records, artifacts and structures of Evansville, Wisconsin as well as encouraging genealogical research and engaging people in learning more about Evansville’s history.
We welcome you to join our meetings and activities, all of which are free and open to the public. Evansville Grove Society activities include the Annual History in the Park presentation and operation of the Grove Society Museum. Our museum is located at 15 Antes Drive, just outside Leonard-Leota Park at the corner of North Madison Street and Antes Drive. It features historical Evansville memorabilia. It is open Saturdays from June through September.
The Society holds an annual meeting every October, at which time members gather to conduct business, elect officers, and review the work of the previous year. The Society also recognizes community members for their contributions to preserving and telling Evansville’s story. Notable among the awards is the Ruth Ann Montgomery award for contributions to local history. Other awards honor noteworthy publications, historic preservation projects, service to the Society, and outstanding volunteers. See the full list of award winners.
In addition to attending Evansville Grove Society events, other ways to become involved include being a docent at the museum, participating in business meetings, serving as a director, and helping with displays, inventory management, and upkeep at the museum.
Please consider becoming a member! Membership is the Evansville Grove Society’s main source of revenue to support programming and museum maintenance. See the membership page to print a membership form or watch your mail for an invitation. Your support is very much appreciated!
To become involved or for more information, drop us a note here. Please join us at our next event!
Keeping History Alive
Evansville has a rich history dating back to 1839. It has left its imprint on generations of people, all around the world. Those of us who live here take part in that history every day, whether we are newcomers or whether we trace our roots back to the city’s founding. Keeping that history alive and vibrant has been the goal of the Evansville Grove Society since 1993.
The Grove Society takes its name from the informal title that the first settlers gave to their community. The Society supports historic preservation and research in many ways, including:
- Owning and maintaining the historic Baker Office building, located at Madison Street and Antes Drive, which houses a museum containing photographs, artifacts and records of historic significance.
- Maintaining and furnishing the Antes Cabin, adjacent to the museum, which is the last building remaining from a tourist resort that thrived in Lake Leota Park in the 1930s.
- Sponsoring educational programs in the community, including the annual History in the Park picnic at Lake Leota Park.
- Publishing articles relevant to Evansville’s history, online, and in local newspapers.
- Collecting artifacts and donations from past and present Evansville residents.
The Evansville Grove Society is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation that relies on donations from individuals and businesses to maintain the Historic Baker Office building and to support the Society’s activities. The Society mounts an annual membership-and-donation drive to aid in achieving those goals. Volunteers are welcome at any time to help with the Society’s projects and activities.
Evansville Grove Society
Board of Directors
Our Values
Mission Statement
We Discover, Keep, and Share Evansville’s Story.
Vision Statement
We will preserve, interpret, and support records and artifacts – including historic structures – that tell important parts of Evansville’s story.
In partnership with other groups, we will interpret aspects of Evansville’s story through exhibits, lectures, writing, the arts, and living history programs.
We will encourage genealogy and ethnic heritage learning, and will engage our community’s youth and visitors to learn about Evansville’s story.
Impact Statement
Through an award-winning project, we have saved and preserved the Historic Baker Office Building as a pivotal historic and architectural artifact, and as useful space for museum exhibits and community meetings. The Society’s leadership in a community-wide volunteer effort inspired self-confidence and an increased appreciation for the value of historic preservation.
The Society has championed broad awareness of Evansville’s historic assets, leading, among other things, to the establishment of three more National Register Historic Districts, three additional individual listings on the National Register, and the ongoing restoration of Leonard-Lake Leota Park.
In collaborative efforts with businesses, artists and “living historians”, the Society has brought positive attention to Evansville as an historic place, and as a desirable place to live and work.
Our Officers
President: Kris Thome (term expires 2025)
Vice President: Vacant
Treasurer: Marcia Kremer (term expires 2026)
Secretary: Vacant
Members: Daniel Stephans, Arthur McEvoy, Leah Hurtley, Jill Whitmore-Bradley