Day on the Prairie 2025- Cambridge Historic School

Sons of Norway- Mandt Lodge and Koshkonong Prairie Historical Society invite the public to visit the Cambridge Historic School, 213 South St. Cambridge, WI on Sunday, August 24, 2025 at 12:30 PM.

We will meet at 12:30 PM at the Cambridge Historic School. The 1906 School Museum is located just 1 block south of Main St. (Hwy 12). Watch for the bell tower.

The museum appreciates free-will donations for entry. Afterwards, we likely will go to a local establishment for socializing and networking – perhaps to Rockdale where we could also walk down to see the historic beer cave! Cambridge Historic School Museum Exhibits- Stroll down the old streets of Cambridge, Lake Ripley, Rockdale, and London. Browse historic photos from these communities, see unique items from local businesses that once lined our streets. You'll enjoy being able to get up close and touch antiquated equipment, tools, furnishings, suitcases, books, clothing articles, and ball uniforms from eras gone by.

Built in 1906, the present Historic School was once the only school in our town. It was home to eight grades as well as four high school grades. There was no gym or cafeteria. Basketball games were all played in what was known as the Park Opera House. Everyone either went home for lunch or carried a cold lunch. The beautiful Historic Gym was finally built in 1939. In 1991-02 a new middle school opened and the school board sought "Requests for Proposals" for the 1906 School Building. A citizens group organized to turn the former school into a museum and on March 1, 1997, the Cambridge Historic School Foundation, Inc. opened its doors to the public and later that year, the 1906 School Building was accepted and listed on the Wisconsin and National Register of Historic Places. The Historic School has recently undergone a major facelift and is filled with beautiful and nostalgic displays all arranged in pleasing and coordinating layouts. Each exhibit tells a different story from a time gone by. Revel in the nostalgia of the Old School Room; become a world traveler in the Asian/African Display; pay tribute to our Military Personnel at the Veterans Exhibit; and stroll down the streets of yesterday from Cambridge, Rockdale, London, and Lake Ripley.

If you have never taken the opportunity to enjoy our unique Historic School, or it has been some time since you’ve wandered through these rooms and among our treasures, now is the perfect time to take in all the exciting changes. Learn more at https://www.cambridgehistoricmuseum.org/.

Please contact Dana Kelly (dmkelly1@yahoo.com or 608-212-4377) or Gary Swain (swaindale@hotmail.com or 608-444-0567) for more information. The public is welcome to join us- no RSVP’s needed!