Marathon County Historical Museum, Historical museum in Wausau, Wisconsin.
The Marathon County Historical Museum is housed in a Neoclassical residence built with clapboard siding and featuring classical design elements from the early 1900s. The interior contains period rooms that reflect how people lived in that era, with furnishings and objects arranged to show domestic life of the time.
The building was constructed between 1900 and 1901 as a residence for Cyrus Yawkey, a businessman who invested heavily in paper mill operations. Its creation occurred during Wisconsin's transition away from timber extraction toward paper manufacturing as the dominant industry.
The museum displays how the region developed economically and socially through exhibits about the people and industries that shaped Marathon County. The rooms document the shift from logging to paper manufacturing, helping visitors understand the foundations of the local community.
The museum is accessible to visitors and rooms are arranged across multiple levels for easy exploration of the historical spaces. A research library housed in a separate building across the street contains genealogical records and documents about the county's past.
The building displays a rare blend of architectural styles created by two notable architects who left their mark on the design. The original Beaux-Arts Classical style was later enhanced with Prairie School elements, creating an unusual combination of design movements.
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