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Pillars of Progress Restoration Campaign
Founded in 1905, the mission of the Sauk County Historical Society since then has been to collect, preserve and share Sauk County's unique history. The Van Orden Mansion has been the headquarters for the Society and home of the Sauk County Historical Museum since 1938. With over 100 years of history under its roof, the Van Orden Mansion is currently filled to capacity. In December of 2006, the Sauk County Historical Society acquired the historic Island Woolen Company Office Building from the City of Baraboo for $1.
With the renovation of the Island Woolen Company Office Building, the Society will be able to expand its operations as well as preserve a piece of Sauk County history. The building is the last piece of the Island Woolen Mill, once the largest such operation west of Philadelphia. This move also will allow the Van Orden Mansion to become a house museum, showcasing life in Sauk County in the early 1900s.
The Sauk County Historical Society has launched a five-year Pillars of Progress Restoration Campaign to renovate the historic Island Woolen Mill Office Building into the Sauk County History Center. Within its walls will be years of records, photographs, public documents, correspondence, town documents, and many other artifacts important to the county's past. The upper two floors will be transformed into office space, a research library and reading room. The lower level of the building will become museum space.
The campaign entails three phases:
Phase I (completed)
- an architectural study and design to honor the original design as well as provide for the new adaptive reuse of the building
- a new roof
- all new historically correct windows
- foundation sealing and insulating
- masonry restoration including front steps
- landscaping and sidewalks
Phase II – First and Second Floors (in progress)
- demolition of earlier remodeling
- new framing
- all new electrical wiring
- new heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems
- new handicapped accessible bathrooms
- insulation
- drywall and finishes
Phase III – Ground Floor
- demolition of earlier remodeling
- new framing
- all new electrical wiring
- new heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems
- insulation
- drywall and finishes
The total cost of the project is $655,549.
Anyone interested in donating funds or time to this project, please call the Sauk County Historical Society at 608-356-1001, or use our PayPal account by clicking the "Donate" button below.
All levels of financial assistance are welcome and will be publicly acknowledged in one of our giving levels. All donations are tax deductible.
Please partner with us to save and preserve Sauk County's unique heritage in this historic building!
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