The Woodson History Center (home of the Marathon County Historical Society) in Wausau is still filled with scaffolding, paint brushes and ladders. But the inaugural exhibit commemorating the Civil War Sesquicentennial  for this space is already starting to take shape. And so are the many programs that will complement the exhibit.

The very first of these programs is set for this Thursday at the Woodson History Center-  The Civil War Item Roll Call. The Historical Society is inviting folks from the area to bring in items from the Civil War era (1861 – 1865) to be examined by area Civil war experts. They will ask you if you know anything of the history of the item and then you will be given the opportunity to talk to  an expert.

The experts will help identify mystery items, give historical background for items and answer any questions. Comments from the expert will be recorded and given to you for your records. However, they will not appraise the item.

Examples of items to bring include:

  • Soldiers/Military: Civil War uniforms, weapons, equipment (canteens, cartridge boxes, knapsacks), service documents, letters, diaries, photos, ribbons and medals, veterans’ items (badges, programs, pension documents), medical items.
  • Civilian/Home Front: Letters, diaries, photos, newspapers, clothing, household items.

    • All items will also be photographed or scanned, history attached to the image and then placed into a database at the Woodson History Center archives. This will allow the Historical Society to study and locate items that are in the area.

    The roll call will be held three times in Marathon County:

    September 28
    Woodson History Center, Wausau (410 McIndoe Street)
    6 – 9 PM

    October 7
    Stratford Public Library(400 North 4th Avenue)
    6 – 8 PM

    October 28
    Wittenberg Community Center (208 Vinal Street)
    6 – 8 PM

    For more information contact the Marathon County Historical Society at 715.842.5750 or visit their Facebook page at  www.Facebook.com/marathoncountyhistory.