Evansville Grove Society

The Evansville Grove Society is the local historical society for Evansville,
Wisconsin. The community, established in 1848, was originally known as
The Grove, in deference to a large stand of trees.
The local historical group is a membership-based volunteer organization that
maintains a museum, coordinates programs and serves as a resource. For
more information about the Museum and its winter hours, contact:
Jennifer Ehle, 608-302-1722 or jenniferehle1@gmail.com

Historic Baker Office Building

Museum for the Evansville Historical Society
15 Antes Drive, Evansville, WI 53536
The Museum is located in a historic yellow-brick building, formerly used as
the office building for Baker Manufacturing Company, which was founded
in Evansville in 1873. Baker Manufacturing built windmills to pump water;
today, it is an international corporation that still makes water pumps.
The Museum building was acquired and carefully restored by The Grove
Society. It is situated at the North Madison Street entrance to beautiful Lake
Leota-Leonard Park, which is listed on the National Register of Historic
Places with 29 structures.
The Museum contains a diversified collection of artifacts and papers from
Evansvilles rich history. Examples of recent exhibits prepared by The
Grove Society include:
A display of historic autograph books from the late 1800s-early 1900s
with a presentation by Curator Nate Fuller from the Rock County
Historical Society, November 2015-spring 2016.
Photographs and artifacts of Evansvilles veterans: Evansville Area
Men & Women Respond to their Countrys Call to Arms, May-June
2016.

 An exhibit created and organized by Gene Prudhon, son of Clark

Prudhon, founder of Pruden Products: The Pruden Products story,
1950 - 1968. (The P of VP), July 2016.
A photography exhibit of Summertime at Lake Leota-Leonard Park,
July-October 2016.
An exhibit celebrating Americas love affair with the car, the highway,
and Evansvilles Tourist Camp, 1926-1940s, America Loves To
Travel, August 2016-present.
Visitors are welcome at the museum, whether to see the current exhibit or
inquire about research involving the collections. Due to the volunteer nature
of staffing, the best way to see the museum during the winter is by
appointment. Please contact Jennifer Ehle at 608-302-1722 who will be
happy to make arrangements.
Best Wishes
Val Eaton, Museum Coordinator, has retired. The Grove Society appreciates
her work.
Grateful Acknowledgment
Ruth Ann Montgomery, Evansville historian and author of five books, has an
award named for her that will be presented at the annual meeting October
20, 2016. The Grove Society is enormously grateful for Ms. Montgomerys
ongoing dedication to preserving the history of the community.