Sauk County Historical Society Education

The SCHS Classroom

The History of Sauk County - grades 3 - 5

The History of Sauk County readers consists of ten reading books and videos that focus on the history of Sauk County beginning with Canfield’s 1872 Map, with a focus on Indigenous Peoples, community building, and the importance of the circus to Sauk County. It is especially designed for grade 4 Wisconsin History emphasis. The course Online resources includes teacher resources, projects, student worksheets, and multiple choice quizzes at no cost.

The History of Sauk County is aligned with 65 of the Wisconsin Standards for Social Studies.

Online ebooks, videos, and downloadable teacher resources are provided at no cost.

Consumable print readers are available in classroom sizes of 10 books each for 30 students. To learn more email education@saukcountyhistory.org.


The Mills and Dams of Wisconsin

The story of dams and mills in Wisconsin is one of ingenuity, innovation, and grit. Throughout Wisconsin people harnessed the power of water to saw lumber and grind wheat into flour. Farmers cut forests, removed tree stumps, planted seed, and harvested their fields. At first they used wooden tools. Later they used newly designed farm equipment that was a mechanical marvel at the time. Horse power, water power, and creative technology came together to grow new businesses and build communities across Wisconsin. The gears of change certainly were in motion. This is that story.

Aligned with Wisconsin State Social Studies Standards for Grades 4 - 6

Print and eBook options are available for interested individuals, school districts, private schools, and homeschools. Teacher’s Edition and ancillary materials included with purchase of print copies or eBook.


The Mines and Railroads of Wisconsin

Mining and railroads sparked growth in the regions where they were found. How did the two industries impact the people living in Wisconsin during the 1800s? This is the fascinating story of the connection between two very different industries that brought great change to communities across Wisconsin beginning in the early 1800s.

Aligned with Wisconsin State Social Studies Standards for Grades 4 - 6

Print and eBook options are available for interested individuals, school districts, private schools, and homeschools. Teacher’s Edition and ancillary materials included with purchase of print copies or eBook.


Voices of the Civil War

In this series, the experiences of Sauk County Civil War soldiers are shared through the words they wrote in their war diaries. Excerpts have been recorded and the story told with images from the Library of Congress, drawings from Harper’s Weekly (1861 - 1865), and other historical sources. A downloadable student eBook accompanies each video. The eBooks include additional diary entries and other primary source documents relevant to the time of the video. Critical thinking questions, suggested essay topics, and guidance for project based learning are included in each student eBook.


Researching Sauk County History

The Sauk County History Center has a wealth of information fully available to the public. This includes historical records, newspapers, and family histories.

Staff is available to assist students with their research. Please make an appointment. Student groups should be limited to 5 at a time for one hour.

The History Center is open Wednesday - Friday noon to 4 pm and Saturday by appointment. It is located at 900 2nd Avenue, Baraboo, WI 53913


SCHS Website Resources


Expanded Resources


SCHS is looking for sponsors to supply schools in Wisconsin with our standards-aligned history education books and resources. If you are interested in helping to bring high quality, primary source history education to Wisconsin’s schools, please consider a generous donation.

Sponsorships are at the following levels:

$100 - provides 5 Mines and Railroads of Wisconsin or 5 Mills and Dams of Wisconsin books and one set of teacher materials including student worksheets and quizzes.

Sponsor 100

$1300 - provides 30 sets of Discover History booklets (10 booklets/set) plus one set of teacher materials including student worksheets and quizzes

Sponsor 1300

$200 - provides 10 Mines and Railroads of Wisconsin or 10 Mills and Dams of Wisconsin books and one set of teacher materials including student worksheets and quizzes.

Sponsor 200

$1,800 provides:

  • 30 sets of Discover History booklets (10 booklets/set) plus one set of teacher materials including student worksheets and quizzes;

  • 25 Mines and Railroads of Wisconsin OR 25 Mills and Dams of Wisconsin books and one set of teacher materials including student worksheets and quizzes.

Sponsor 1800

$500 - provides 25 Mines and Railroads of Wisconsin OR 25 Mills and Dams of Wisconsin books and one set of teacher materials including student worksheets and quizzes.

Sponsor 500

$2,500 provides:

  • 30 sets of Discover History booklets (10 booklets/set) plus one set of teacher materials including student worksheets and quizzes;

  • 25 Mines and Railroads of Wisconsin OR 25 Mills and Dams of Wisconsin books and one set of teacher materials including student worksheets and quizzes;

  • Voices of the Civil War - 5 student booklets/video = 25 student books.

Sponsor 2500