Preserving the Past to Teach the Future. Our mission is to collect and preserve Kenosha County's history through education, programs and exhibits.

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The historic Southport lighthouse and the Southport Light Station Museum will be open weekends beginning May 4, 2023. The tower (admission fee) will be open weekends late Fall, weather dependent. Call (262)654-5770 to verify if the tower is open. The adjacent Southport Light Station Museum will also be open these same hours (free admission).

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The Kenosha History Center is hosting walking tours of the Library Park Historic District on Second Saturdays each month through May through October. Each tour begins at 11:00 AM at the Civil War Memorial/Winged Victory Statue north of the Simmons Library and typically lasts 90 minutes with a leisurely walk around the park discussing the architectural and historical significance of most buildings. The tours are led by volunteer historians. The Library Park Historic District is one of four historic districts designated in the City of Kenosha and contains many individually outstanding examples of nineteenth century and early twentieth century architecture.Call (262) 654-5770 to reserve your spot and learn about the interesting history of the Library Park Historic District.

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The Kenosha History Center is hosting walking tours of the Third Avenue Historic District on First Saturdays each month through May through October. The Third Avenue Historic District is one of four historic districts designated in the City of Kenosha. The district features Kenosha’s early 20th century mansions along the Lake Michigan shore. This area was the residential choice for many of Kenosha’s most important industrialists. The tour meets at 11am at Eichelman Park and typically lasts 90 minutes with a leisurely walk discussing the architectural and historical significance of the buildings. The tours are led by volunteer historians. Call (262) 654-5770 to reserve your spot and learn about the interesting history of the Third Avenue Historic District.

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NEW for 2023, the Old Northside Historic Walking Tour will meet at 1pm at Veterans Memorial Park. The tour is expected to last 90 minutes and will make its way through the old north side of Kenosha: "over the Rhine." Historically, the neighborhood was a mix of workers and business owners, primarily immigrants from Central and Eastern Europe, and shows a slice of life in the self-contained urban neighborhood of the past. The tours are led by volunteer historians, who grew up in the neighborhood. Call (262) 654-5770 to reserve your spot and learn about the interesting history of the Old Northside.

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Join us in the Kenosha History Center parking lot the last Friday of each month and show off your classic automobiles. The Kenosha History Center will be open until 7pm each of these Friday night Cruise-ins. The event is FREE and open to all classic vehicles. Food trucks will be onsite. Friday (5/26, 6/30, 7/28, 8/25, 9/29) event times: 4pm until 8p

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Join us in the Kenosha History Center parking lot the Second Sunday of each month and show off your classic automobiles. The Kenosha History Center will open early at 9am each of these Sunday morning Cruise-ins. The event is FREE and open to all classic vehicles. Food trucks will be onsite. Sunday (5/14, 6/11, 7/9, 8/13, 9/10) event times: 8am until 12pm.

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The Kenosha History Center is hosting the inaugural Kenosha Taco Fest where food trucks will compete for votes to be named “Kenosha Area’s Favorite Taco Truck”. The event is FREE to attend (tacos and other menu items will be available to purchase from participating vendors).

The food trucks competing will set their own menu and pricing. Customers can purchase the tacos and other menu items and then vote for their favorite taco at the event.

Kenosha Taco Fest will take place from 4-8pm with a winner being announced that evening. Kenosha Taco Fest will take place in the parking lot across from the Kenosha History Center on Simmons Island.

“Kenosha Taco Fest” will coincide with the Kenosha History Center’s popular Friday Night Classic Car Cruise-in on June 30. All classic cars and spectators are welcome at this event.

Spectator/attendee parking will be limited. Please plan on parking in the Simmons Island Bath House Parking Lot, which is north of the Kenosha History Center, or use the Lakefront Trolley to shuttle to the event.

For questions about the event please call the Kenosha History Center: 262-654-5770.

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Don't miss the History Center Chili cook-off featuring great chili from some of Kenosha's best restaurants.Chili tasting will be from 5 pm until its gone. Also available will be microbrews, soda and live music.

Taste and vote for you favorite chili. Ballots must be cast by 7:30 pm to be counted. A panel of judges will also pick their favorite.

    Participants will include:
    The Coffee Pot
    Coopers Uptown
    Frank's Diner
    From Scratch Bakery and Cafe LLC
    Kaiser's Pizza and Pub, Kenosha
    Twisted Cuisine
    Union Park Tavern
    Waterfront Warehouse

    Tickets purchased online prior to the event will be available at "Will Call" at the event.

    Tickets are now only available at the door.
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Join the Kenosha History Center at the Annual Dinner and Meeting. The event features a sit down dinner, an available cash bar for beverages, a presentation of the Annual Report and presentation of the Don Jensen Award.

Schedule of the Evening
6:00 – 6:30 Cash Bar & Appetizers
6:30 – 7:30 Dinner
Menu- to be announced

  1. Welcome by President, State of Society Presentation and approval of Minutes
    Executive Directors Report – Chris Allen
    Presentation of Don Jensen Award of Merit

Please RSVP by by contacting the Kenosha History Center at 262-654-5770. Payment can be made by cash, check or credit card.
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Join the Kenosha History Center at various locations throughout Kenosha for car shows, an ice cream social, a car parade, a night time car show in Downtown Kenosha and the big car show rounding out the 5 days of events on Saturday.

Click the link button below to download the "Registration Form"


Download Registration Form"