Wisconsin Historical Society History Center & Archives + Services

The Wisconsin Historical Society has a satellite operation located in the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center offering a history center and genealogy services. The Ashland ARC is the state repository for 8 northern Wisconsin counties providing researchers with access to public records and private manuscripts collections for Ashland, Bayfield, Forest, Iron Oneida, Price, Sawyer, and Vilas counties. There is also an in-house research library that includes over 400 donated volumes from Ben Guthrie’s extensive library of fur trade, Native Americans, and Wisconsin History dating back to 1833.

Genealogists will find a wealth of information including citizenship records; pre-1907 vital statistics; microfilm newspapers; Northern Wisconsin Native American census rolls; court and tax records; and research assistance with Ancestry and other online databases.  Onsite genealogy group programs available upon request.

The Ashland ARC is open Tuesday – Friday, 1:00 – 4:30 and by appointment. Call (715) 685-2647 or 715-685-2649 for more information.

If you are not able to complete your own research, we can do the research for you!  Research fees are; Wisconsin resident fee is $17 per hour, Out-of-State $20 per hour, WHS Member $15 per hour. Notary service is $5.50 per document.

Photocopies are .25 per sheet and Microfilm copies are .50 per sheet.

View the Archival Catalog

Learn more about Wisconsin’s 14 Area Research Centers

Linda Mittlestadt, Archivist
(715) 685-2649
linda.mittlestadt@wisconsinhistory.org

Pam Ekholm, Program Assistant
(715) 685-2647
Pamela.ekholm@wisconsinhistory.org

The Wisconsin Historical Society also offers two Local History Outreach program staff members who connect local history groups, educators, and communities with resources, training, recognition and access to the NGLVC. 

Daniel Soulier, Outreach and Partnership Coordinator                                                        (715)492-8472
daniel.soulier@wisconsinhistory.org

Contact Dan for information about:

• Local history questions and resources
• Affiliate partnerships and collaborations
• Support for tribal museums and cultural centers

Rose Haveri, Tourist Information Coordinator 
(715)685-2660
roseann.haveri@wisconsinhistory.org

Contact Rose for information about:

• Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center facility use and programming
• Northern Wisconsin tourism