Donations will benefit Upham Mansion

For Hub City Times

MARSHFIELD — The Marshfield Area Community Foundation recently announced the addition of a new fund benefitting the North Wood County Historical Society Governor Upham House.

The mission of this group is to preserve, advance, and disseminate knowledge of the history of Marshfield, the surrounding area, and the state of Wisconsin as well as to maintain the Governor William H. Upham House and to preserve the contents and articles given to the society.

This historical group is led by a small number of individuals. The North Wood County Historical Society had its first meeting Sept. 19, 1952. Toward the end of 1975, the society purchased the Upham home located at 212 W. Third St. In January of 1976, the Governor William H. Upham House was placed on the National Registry of Houses. The next couple of years were spent restoring and putting the house and yard in order. On Sunday, June 25, 1978, the new home of the North Wood County Historical Society was officially opened to the public.

In 1879 Maj. William Henry Upham, a Civil War veteran and future governor of Wisconsin, came to Marshfield. The Wisconsin Central Railroad opened up the wilderness area of pine timber and got as far as Marshfield in 1872. Six years later, Upham — looking for just such a location — settled in the area. He built a complex system of lumber operations, including a sawmill, shingle mill, power plant, grist mill, and furniture factory. He was also a leader in rebuilding Marshfield’s industries after the great fire of 1887. Upham became the 18th governor of Wisconsin in 1894.

The mansion is the site of the annual Pie and Ice Cream Social held during Marshfield’s Dairyfest. During Christmas holidays the mansion is open for a festive Christmas event on the first Saturday and Sunday in December from 1:30 through 4 p.m.

Anyone wishing to donate to the fund may do so by mailing a check to the Marshfield Area Community Foundation at P.O. Box 456, Marshfield, WI 54449 or online at marshfieldareacommunityfoundation.org.