Explore Our Virtual Exhibits — History at Your Fingertips
Dive into La Crosse County’s past from anywhere with our curated virtual exhibits. Browse online galleries, historic photographs, artifacts, and stories that bring the region’s rich cultural heritage to life. These virtual exhibits offer a window into the people and events that shaped La Crosse. Enjoy immersive stories and meaningful insights — all available right here.
Embroidered Narratives: The Hmong Journey
through Story Cloths
These embroidered textiles visually narrate Hmong history, culture, and resettlement experiences from Laos to the United States.
La Crosse in Uniform: World War II
Military uniforms worn by men and women from the surrounding area who served during World War II.
The Hackner Touch: A Legacy of Sacred Craftsmanship
The Hackner Company of La Crosse made finely crafted church altars and furnishings sold nationwide.
Spence-McCord Recipe Box
The Spence-McCord recipe box holds historic remedy formulas from a La Crosse druggist.
La Crosse’s Cosmetics Industry: Marinello Co.
The Marinello Company, founded in La Crosse by Ruth Maurer, grew into an international cosmetics and beauty-training business.
The Artwork
o
f
Howard Colvin
Artist Howard Colvin was known for his paintings, commercial art, and contributions to the local art community.
Evolution
of Wisconsin License Plates
The evolution of Wisconsin license plates from their beginning in 1905, highlighting changes in size and design over the years.
Hixon House’s
Dormitory Era
After World War II, Hixon House served as a dormitory. This gallery features young women who lived there during that time.
Beaded Purses through
the Decades
Beaded purses showcasing changing fashion trends and craftsmanship over the years.
La Crosse’s Ties
to the Majors
Baseball players with connections to La Crosse County who went on to play in Major League Baseball.
The Artwork of Lillian Annin Pettingill
Lillian Annin Pettingill was a La Crosse artist known for landscapes and local art leadership.
La Crosse Beer Labels
Discover historic brewery labels that showcase La Crosse’s rich brewing heritage and the evolving art of beer branding in the region.
Oktoberfest Buttons
Gallery of buttons from the Midwest’s longest-running Oktoberfest.
The War Eagle
The 1870 burning and sinking of the steamboat War Eagle on the Black River, along with recovered artifacts, offers a glimpse into 19th-century life and trade.
1971 La Crosse County Community Shelter Plan
A civil defense booklet and map mailed to local households outlining fallout shelter locations and emergency procedures during the Cold War.
Mourning President Lincoln
Objects that reflect how Americans commemorated and grieved President Abraham Lincoln after his assassination.
The Mementos in a World War I Trunk
The Thornton family’s military memorabilia held in a WWI trunk.
The La Crosse Catbirds
The La Crosse Catbirds were a successful local basketball team with two CBA championships in the 1980s and ’90s.
