KEWAUNEE, Wis. – The Kewaunee County Historical Society announced a capital campaign to raise roughly $75,000 for new shelving and locking cabinets. The project targets the society’s storage room, where decades‑old wooden shelves struggle to hold ring‑binders, documents, and priceless artifacts.
Why the upgrade matters
President Richard Dorner explained that the existing shelving dates back to the 1930s and no longer meets the practical needs of the museum. “This shelving goes back to the 1930s. One of the things we need is more storage space. The problem with the existing cabinetry is we haven’t got the ability to use it for practical things. We need the shelving. It just isn’t adequate to accommodate ring‑binders and documents,” Dorner said.
Vice President John Schultz echoed the concerns, noting that the shelves have repeatedly failed. “Those are just all bookshelves. I’ve repaired them a number of times where a shelf collapsed and it collapsed on the next one down. It’s just old. It’s not doing its job,” Schultz said during a tour of the facility on Monday morning.
Preserving local heritage
The society’s collection includes the original 1882 Fresnel lens from the Kewaunee Pierhead Light and a display honoring former congressman Alvin E. O’Konski. Both items, along with countless photographs, letters, and municipal records, are vulnerable to damage without proper storage conditions.
“We lose our history, we lose everything,” Schultz warned. “History is very important to not just the present. We need to maintain records and documents. It’s for the future,” Dorner added.
Fundraising plan and timeline
The capital campaign will seek donations from individuals, businesses, and community groups throughout Kewaunee County and the surrounding region. Contributions will fund sturdy, climate‑controlled shelving units and secure cabinets designed to protect delicate items from moisture, dust, and accidental collapse.
Construction and installation are slated to begin in April or May of 2027, pending successful fundraising. The society hopes the upgraded storage will allow staff and volunteers to better organize and display the collection, making it more accessible to researchers, students, and the general public.
How to help
Donors can contribute online through the historical society’s website or by mailing checks to the organization’s office in Kewaunee. The society also plans a series of community events, including a heritage walk and a “History Night” fundraiser, to raise awareness and encourage participation.
Local leaders have expressed support for the effort, emphasizing the role of historic preservation in fostering community pride and tourism. “Investing in our history is an investment in our identity,” said a county commissioner who attended the tour.
The Kewaunee County Historical Society invites all residents who value the county’s rich past to join the campaign and help ensure that treasured artifacts remain safe for generations to come.
Original reporting: FOX 11 WLUK Green Bay (local) — read the source article.
