715-247-5228 | HOURS: 9am-6pm M,W,F | 9am-7pm T,Th | 9am-1pm Sat somersetpl@somersetlibrary.org

History

The Scott History & Genealogy Room

Our mission is to collect, preserve, and offer public research space for historical records, pertaining to the history of Somerset, Star Prairie, and St. Joseph communities.

Visit

Please sign in at the front desk of the library and let the librarian know what records you’re interested in viewing.

Hours

Mon 12:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
Tues 12:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
Thurs 12:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.

Can’t make it during regular hours?

Complete the Research and Appointment Request Form below.

Research assistance completed by a librarian or volunteer historian is available for a nominal fee.  Complete the form above for assistance.

Guidelines

  • Sign in at the front desk of the library.
  • Materials cannot leave the History Room.
  • To protect the collection, please leave food, beverages, ink pens, and backpacks outside the History Room.

Looking West on Mill Street, now known as Main Street, circa 1940

What is in the collection?

  • Area organization materials
  • Family genealogy
  • Maps, land atlases, and plat books
  • Local newspaper clippings
  • Oral histories
  • Pea Soup Days history
  • Photo collection
  • Somerset historical books and stories
  • Somerset High School yearbooks
  • Telephone directories

Contact Information

Phone: 715-247-5228

Email the local history librarian, Renee at reckner@somersetlibrary.org

June 1st - August 31st

Somerset Library is an official member of the St. Croix County Historical Society. Check out other member organizations on their website!

June 1st - August 31st

Flickr Page

This local history collection of photos are avaiable in the history room and on Flickr.  Click here to view the collection.

June 1st - August 31st

Somerset Wisconsin Pioneer Families

A history of the Somerset area and the first settlers, this collection contains most of Rosalie Parnell’s book published in 1952 to show the history of Somereset, as well as parts of two other books: History of the St. Croix Valley by A.B. Easton (1909) and History of Northern Wisconsin by the Western Historical Society of Chicago, Illinois (1881).  Click here to view the book.

June 1st - August 31st

Local Histories

These conversations were complied as part of a library-sponsored oral history project.  The speakers shared their memories of historic events and life in Somerset.  They were recorded as part of an effort to preserve local history.  Click here to view the playlist.

June 1st - August 31st

Triple Centennial Souvenier Book

Written in 1956, the Triple Centennial Jubilee Souvenir Book celebrates 300 years of history.  It is a compilation of photos and stories of the founding and history of the Village of Somerset, Somerset Township, and St. Anne’s Church.  Click here to view the book.

Other Resources

Ancestry Library Edition

Start searching billions of records and discover your family’s story. Available for use only while using library wifi or public computers.

Archive of Wisconsin Newspapers

Wisconsin Newspapers Digital Research Site is a service of the Wisconsin Newspaper Association that provides access to 235 daily and weekly Wisconsin newspapers both historical and current.

Heritage Quest Online

Access genealogical research: all U.S. Federal Census records, family and local histories, and access to PERSI PERiodical Source Index.

Newspapers.com

Historical newspapers archive from the 1700s-2000s containing thousands of well-known regional, state, and small local newspapers in the United States and other countries.

Somerset Public Library

208 Hud Street
Somerset, WI 54025
715.247.5228
somersetpl@somersetlibrary.org

Hours 
Mon, Wed, Fri: 9AM - 6PM
Tues, Thurs: 9AM - 7PM
Sat: 9AM-1PM