Community Partner Snapshot
DeForest Area Historical Society
Address: 203 Library Street
DeForest, Wisconsin 53532
Website: www.deforesthistory.org
Email: dahsco@yahoo.com
Mission: The mission of the DeForest Area Historical Society is to preserve, celebrate, and share the
local history of the area.
Target Population: The society serves patrons who reside in the geographical area of the DeForest Area
School District. This includes all of Windsor Township, much of Vienna Township, and portions of Leeds
and Burke Townships. It is supported by local patrons, area businesses, and the village and township
governing bodies.
Current Programs: The society is responsible for maintaining and interpreting history at four sites in
DeForest: two home museums, a restored depot, and an archival center in the public library. All work is
completed by a dedicated group of volunteers. There are no paid staff workers.
Originally constructed in 1871, the DeForest Railroad Depot is one of the most historically significant
structures in DeForest. The exterior and grounds are opened to the public during all daylight hours. The
interior is not generally open to the public.
The primary museum, the Hansen-Newell-Bennett House, includes several permanent displays,
including historical information on the early schools, churches, and businesses in the area. A small
garage on the property houses artifacts that relate to transportation, farming and gardening
implements. Open June through October.
The Lyster house is a smaller home museum with a 1930s restored kitchen open to the public.
The DeForest Area Public Library houses a display, gallery, office, work area, and archival storage for the
DeForest Area Historical Society. This is the primary repository in the area for historical photographs,
documents, manuscripts, and books.
Project Development Guidelines: Volunteers are present at the library archival center every Tuesday
and Thursday morning to help patrons and to work on a variety of society tasks.
The Executive Board of Directors meets every other month, alternating between noon and evening
times, in a room in the DeForest Area Public Library. The Annual Meeting is usually scheduled for the
July meeting.
Program-Design Needs: Projects and program development should interpret, communicate, or
celebrate local heritage.
Neighborhood resources and community institutions: Wisconsin Historical Society; Dane County
Historical Society; DeForest Area Public Library; DeForest Area Chamber of Commerce; Village of
DeForest; DeForest Times- Tribune; DeForest Area School District;
Future Programs: In progress, bringing historical displays to local schools
Former HEX Projects: