When the Milwaukee & Lacrosse Railroad reached Hartford in 1855, it transformed a small village into a bustling hub. The first train brought new people, new goods, and new opportunities. Lumber mills, tanneries, and the Hartford Plow Works flourished. Even after the railroad’s financial collapse in 1861, the tracks remained, and the Chicago & Northwestern Railway eventually took over, cementing Hartford’s place on the map.
Today, the spirit of the steam era lives on through the S...
Featured Exhibits
Early Hartford
Discover the founding and early settlement of Hartford.
The Squatter and the Mill: Early Village Life
Jehial Case was already living on the land Hall purchased; Thiel and Simon chose the Rubicon River f...
Read MoreThe First Settlers: Timothy Hall and the Pioneers
Timothy Hall, the first European settler to purchase land in Hartford, arrived in 1843....
Read MoreBusiness History
The commercial and industrial enterprises that shaped Hartford, from Kissel to modern industries.
West Bend Aluminum and Wartime Production
The former Kissel factory made shell casings, rocket containers, and gas mask canisters during WWII....
Read More
Kissel Motor Car Company: Hartford's Automotive Giant
From 1906 to 1930, Kissel produced luxury automobiles, becoming the city’s largest employer....
Read MoreRailroad History
The impact of rail lines on Hartford's growth and the preservation of steam locomotives today.
Museum 53027 Blog
The Railroad That Built Hartford
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Soo Line 1003 steam locomotive in Hartford
The First Congregational Church: 175 Years of Faith
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First Congregational Church, historic building on Branch Street
On October 31, 1847, twelve believers gathered in a home to organize the First Congregational Church of Hartford. Today, that congregation continues to serve the community. Their story is one of persistence, faith, and adaptation. From the early days when Reverend Norman Miller traveled from Lisbon to preach, to the construction of the first church in 1853, to the brick encasement in 1874, to the move to a new building on Wacker Drive in 2016 – the church has remained a constant presence.
On...
On...
Pike Lake – A Natural Treasure
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Pike Lake in autumn, showing the surrounding forest
Pike Lake, located just north of Hartford, is part of the Kettle Moraine State Forest. The lake was formed by the retreat of glaciers thousands of years ago, leaving behind a beautiful kettle lake. The area offers hiking, fishing, and boating.
In the 19th century, the Potawatomi had a village on the eastern shore of the lake. Today, the Pike Lake Unit provides recreational opportunities and a glimpse into the region's glacial past.
In the 19th century, the Potawatomi had a village on the eastern shore of the lake. Today, the Pike Lake Unit provides recreational opportunities and a glimpse into the region's glacial past.
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