Discover Merrill's History

The Merrill Historical Society Board of Directors will match any donation through the first $1,000 donated before the end of the year.

The Merrill Historical Society and Museum is privileged to be a place where visitors can come to learn about Merrill’s unique heritage. Throughout the year the museum is visited by school children from districts around the area, families hoping to connect with their past, tourists enjoying all the city has to offer and Merrill residents- from those who stop in often to those who are visiting for the first time.

“Awesome museum! Best smaller community museum we’ve been to,” commented one visitor. “We found family in photos”, said one couple. Another visitor said, “Thank you for keeping our stories alive.” Through the generous donations of our members, we are able to open our museum at no cost to visitors.

On Tuesday, December 3rd, the museum participated in Giving Tuesday, however there was a mishap with our mailing, and we were unable to reach our members by December 3rd. Therefore, the Board of Directors has extended their offer to match Year End Fund Drive donations up to $1,000 to the end of the year. Just click the button below to participate in the Year End Fund Drive or stop in during our normal business hours and give in any amount that is right for you.

Year End Fund Drive

About Us

Merrill Historical Society & Museum has been preserving the town's history since 1978. We are dedicated to showcasing the stories, culture, and traditions that make Merrill unique.

Please call ahead to find out if we have resources that will help in your family or home research, or just local history.

Resources you will find at the Merrill Historical Society...

• High School Yearbooks 1901 through 2020

• Rural Schools of Lincoln County - pictures and history

• City Directories from 1893

• Mike Weckwerth's Logging Notes 1891-1945

• Early Plat Books and Maps of Lincoln County

• Merrill City Appraisers records from 1970

• Assorted Abstracts from Lincoln County

• Various Family Histories of Merrill's Families

• Photographs and history on local businesses, farming, churches, logging and sawmills, scrapbooks and minutes from local organizations, Merrill and Lincoln County histories, Military records of local residents, various obituaries, vital statistics from 1949-1959, various home histories, George Gilkey's notes of Merrill.

These are a few of the tools that were used to craft the Pinery Exhibit. Come and discover the story of Scott Mansion, or learn about Bill Rebane's film career and view one of the movie props from the Giant Spider film. Take a trip down memory lane with the Remember When exhibit, bone up on local politics with some local political background, see the vintage fishing equipment, including an outdoor boat motor collection, or some of the fun kitchen items that your mother and grandmother may have used. Discover how design and art played a part in pocket watch holders from a private collection currently on loan.

Visit the Exhibits

Happy Visitors

The Merrill Historical Society & Museum is a hidden gem. I learned so much about the town's history and the exhibits were fascinating.

Contact Us

Have questions or want to learn more? Get in touch with us!

merrillpast@gmail.com

715-536-5652
NEW WEBSITE - discovermerrillhistory.org

**Please call if the weather is bad to verify we are open (715-536-5652).

Hours

OPEN Monday - Friday from 9 am to 1 pm
*We are happy to accommodate other times and days by appointment for research or visits to the museum, please call or email.

Someone is generally in the office until 5 pm Monday through Friday.