Courtesy of the Tomahawk Area Historical Society

TOMAHAWK – Members of the Tomahawk Area Historical Society are excited to again share our history after last year’s hiatus. We invite visitors and local folks to visit the two museums to learn about, remember and enjoy the past.

In the log cabin, early logging and farming are recalled. Interesting items from our collections are displayed in one room.

A military room, one-room school setting, and turn-of-the century kitchen in the school building are very interesting. New exhibits include artifacts from the St. Barnabas church, recognition of bands through the years, history of the Tomahawk Speedway, a field cradle and more.

Members of the Society have published several books, and recently added a new one – actually, two books in one. They are “The Story of Tomahawk’s Saloons, Bootlegging, Taverns and Bars” and “Let’s Take a Ride Down Memory Lane recalling Car Dealerships and Gas Stations Through the Years.” They are available at the museum and the Old Towne Mall in Tomahawk or can be mailed by contacting Dixie Zastrow at 715-453-2056.

Many folks will remember seeing the Lake Ice Bear spending days in Sawdy Pond years ago. A couple of years ago, the bear was donated to the Society. We had a duplicate made and placed him back in the water for folks to enjoy again. We’ve put his logo on baseball caps, which we are selling at Trig’s on various weekends, as well as at the museum.

Another project has been the Allan Bell Memorial Trail behind the Tomahawk school complex. Signs tell of the habitat along the trail.

We are sure there will be something for everyone who visits the museums. They are located on E. Washington Ave. in Tomahawk, behind the Chamber office, and are open from June 29 to August 19, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday.