Revamped White Pillars Museum set to open this fall

DE PERE – The De Pere Historical Society is on its way to unveil its new 6,000 sq ft museum building this fall showcasing the history of the area. The focal point will be the second oldest building in De Pere that is still standing, the White Pillars. Dynamic is one word to describe this building, since its original construction in 1838, it has had many roles.

One of its more unique roles was as a bank “It was an office, it was used for business purposes initially. It served as a bank, in fact they issued their own currency out of it,” McKim Boyd, De Pere Historical Society Board of Directors President stated.

Originally, it served as the headquarters for the Fox River Hydraulic Company, later on it became a church, barber shop, antique store, school, and a residence. Restoration of this historic building is underway as they plan to incorporate many original pieces of the site.

“Two weeks before we moved here, we found these 1838 original pillars, so we’re going to put the original pillars back on,” explained Mary Milquet, Project manager and Board of Directors member at De Pere Historical Society. “They’re down to the original flooring from 1838. There were two layers of flooring on top of it. So it’s been fun what they have been discovering.”

Additionally, the original plaster and flourishes near the ceiling will be included in the display. History hasn’t always been kind to the house, 125 years ago the building caught on fire while it was being used as a residence.

“By the standards of their day, [the fire] essentially destroyed the house,” Boyd said.

Milquet continued,  “It was worth $50 and it was a total loss, but they rebuilt.”

Upon opening, visitors will be able to see the original charred beams and wood of the house to demonstrate the resilience of this Monticello style building. Display cases of artifacts from the area will be spread across the museum for visitors to see first hand.

This project not only will increase their museum size six times over, but will also include extra storage for artifacts and nondisplay items.

In the basement, mobile shelving will help to store and consolidate the artifacts and papers to preserve the history.

“We’re scanning and digitizing, so taking pictures of artifacts and then putting them in a database, so that when we move things onto shelves we’ll be able to update where things are in the [storage],” said Milquet.

A dedicated research room for volunteers helping to digitize items and self researched projects will also be found in the basement. Despite the basement not being open to the public, those requesting access to items found down there may make an appointment to visit.

When asked about the importance of these artifacts, Milquet mentioned, “I think it helps us tell our De Pere story, and we now will have climate control archives so that the things that are donated here or the artifacts that we do have won’t deteriorate.”

The second floor of this building will have areas for displays and presentations for educating both children and adults alike. 

Boyd said, “What we’d really like to do is open it up… Youth groups in particular to try to pique their interest in history. In the hope that they become the next generations of historians and take pride in the history because it really is amazing.”

“We also want to have adult education, so we’d like to have adult programming at nighttime or daytime where we can share that history,” Boyd concluded.

Fundraising is still in progress for this $5,300,000 project and they are just $500,000 short. Money donated will go to covering the finishings for the museum, such as display cabinets, and construction costs that were not yet covered. Donations over $100 will be permanently recognized on their donor wall.

“Our mission is to really tell not just De Pere’s story, but to tell the story of the Fox River Valley, because we are unique. We are one of the oldest settlements in the area,” claimed Boyd.

For more information or to make a donation, visit deperehistory.org