There are displays in every corner of the Museum. Some are modest looking pieces that upon further inspection have a story attached to them. One of these things is this wooden box.
Today you step into your local city or town hall and cast your ballot on a computer screen. Just chose your candidate or party, touch the screen and whoosh your vote is cast! But not that long ago your paper ballot was put into a box to be counted.
The Town of Wilson needed a ballot box! But not many Townships have one like this !! It looks sort of ordinary until you really look at it. Back then you used what you had to make what you need. The printing on the side of this box announces that the contents are dynamite!! A slot was cut into the top to slide your ballot through and fitted it with a lock and key to keep your vote safe !!
At some, point that was replaced by a more modern combination lock!! And as these things often go... inevitably the combination was misplaced or forgotten !! The voters can put their ballot in the box but how do we get them out ?? It's Election Day we need to count those votes!!
Many different combinations were tried and all failed !! Now, what do we do?
Do we do smash the box? Take a hammer to the lock see if we can break it? No, it wasn't that hard at all. When you look at the photos you can see that the box had hinges and all someone had to do was realize that by sliding the pins out the box would open. Thus saving it from becoming kindling!!
This interesting piece of history is on display in the Farm Building at the Museum.... ... See more

Car show and live music this Friday night in downtown Ladysmith at DJ's American Pizza & Pub

Music on Miner wraps up the summer season next Friday evening at DJ's American Pizza & Pub with live music by John Fox from 5-7 and Anxiety - Band from 7-10! There will also be a car & cycle show, kid's games and an outdoor beer garden! Rice Lake Harley-Davidson will also be there with demos and offering test rides! Finally, it is also the 1 Year Anniversary for DJ's! You won't want to miss this party! ... See more

The Rusk County Historical Society Museum will be open this Saturday and Sunday, September 8 & 9, from 12-4pm for the 2018 Flambeau River Gravel Grinder

Henry Berg is 5 whole years old and he loves John Deere tractors!! His Mom and Dad and Henry made the trip from Onalaska this weekend to check out the Museum. Henry ran as fast as his 5-year-old legs could carry him and in seconds he was sitting behind the wheel at the Plow Museum at the Rusk County Historical Society !! The beaming smile on his face tells you just how excited this little bib-overalled tractor driver is to be up on that green machine. Little boys and tractors!! What a wonderful thing to see the pure joy on his little face and watch his parents smile at his delight....sharing a fun afternoon at the Plow Museum! ... See more