Open Daily, Except Tuesdays
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
330 E. College Ave., Appleton, WI
920.735.9370
About Our Building
The History Museum building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was originally a Masonic temple. The local Masonic Blue Lodge, charted in 1854, raised $100,000 in 1923 to build this facility.
The Museum's architectural style is Norman Revival, characterized by the use of rough hewn stone and other features reminiscent of medieval castles and churches such as vaulted ceilings, heavy beams and leaded windows. Lodge membership began to decline in the late 1960s and by 1985 the Masons chose to sell the building to the Historical Society.
βThe Temple had been a lively community center. It hosted Masonic lodge meetings and events and was used by local churches and other organizations for dances, school proms and banquets - just as today. The Museum today is used as a venue for community and private events.