Come visit the Hoard Historical Museum to discover the people and events that make up Fort Atkinson’s history. Throughout the museum you’ll discover our area’s local history through our impressive collection of artifacts, artwork, and family friendly activities.
♦ Here you can relive the 1832 Black Hawk War and learn about General Henry Atkinson and the Sauk Warrior, Black Hawk. In the Lincoln Era Exhibit, you can discover Abraham Lincoln’s involvement in the Black Hawk War and learn about his only military experience before becoming Commander-in-Chief.
♦ Step into our immersive Mysteries of the Mounds gallery to explore the history and culture of the Native Americans of the late Woodland period. Take a peek inside a replica keyhole pit house to see how they survived and thrived in Wisconsin.
♦ You will find out how “Fort Atkinson” came to be and explore the contributions of two remarkable locals: William Dempster Hoard, the father of American dairying and Wisconsin Governor; and Lorine Niedecker, world famous poet.
♦ Explore the impact of Lake Koshkonong in the second floor of the Hoard House in our Duck Hunting on Lake Koshkonong exhibit and find out why Fort Atkinson was once referred to as the “Chesapeake of the West.”
Visitors will also enjoy The National Dairy Shrine’s Museum, which features a multimedia show that captures the sights and sounds of dairy farming: past, present, and future.