ARTS,CULTURE & HISTORY
Alexander House
1131 Wisconsin River Drive, Port Edwards, WI 54469
(715) 887-3442 | Website | Facebook
The Alexander House is a center for art and history, a combination art gallery and historical museum located in a stately colonial home on the banks of the beautiful Wisconsin River. Open Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday 1-4 pm. No charge.
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Arts Council
1040 8th Street South, Suite 101, Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494
(715) 424-ARTS (2787) | Website | Facebook
The Arts Council of South Wood County is your performing arts connection to professional dance, theater, comedy, music and extraordinary entertainment. Tickets are available online or by calling 715-424-ARTS (2787).
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Central Wisconsin Cultural Center
2651 8th Street South Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494
(715) 421-4598 | Website | Facebook
The Central Wisconsin Cultural Center is your destination for the Visual, Literary and Lyrical Arts with galleries and showcases, featuring local and regional artists. Explore art classes, and musical opportunities offered throughout the year. Open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 am-5 pm.
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Gift of Life Legacy Garden
931 1st Street N (Legion Park), Wisconsin Rapids, 54494
Facebook
Located in Legion Park along the Wisconsin River, Central Wisconsin Gift of Life tribute honoring recipients, living donors, and those families that made the difficult choice to allow their loved ones to continue to live through organ or tissue donation.
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Historic Point Basse
364 Wakely Road, Nekoosa, WI 54457
(715) 459-1722 | Website | Facebook
Experience the only living history site on the Wisconsin River! Robert Wakely’s settlement at Point Basse was the beginning of the navigable Wisconsin River. See the preserved 1850s site come to life with the restored Wakely house, trading post, blacksmith shop and schoolhouse. Check out their website for more information on tours and events.
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I Heart Art Studios
340 West Grand Ave #101, Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54495
(715) 712-0009 | Website | Facebook
I Heart Art Studios is located in a beautiful downtown building that is more than 100 years old and full of character. If you're looking for a place with atmosphere, this is it! You don't have to be an experienced artist to attend a class, workshop, or event. Beginners are ALWAYS welcome!
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Marian Center for Peace
241 Apricot Street, Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494
(715) 424-MARY (6279) | Website | Facebook
Located on the grounds of Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church, this pilgrimage destination houses a Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel, a relic image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a copy of the Vilnius Divine Mercy painting, replicas of the Shroud of Turin, and a display of Eucharistic Miracles.
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McMillan Memorial Library
490 East Grand Avenue, Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494
(715) 423-1040 | Website | Facebook
The beautiful McMillan Memorial Library provides educational resources and cultural programming for the Wisconsin Rapids area. A suburban style library in a small-town setting, they have a coffeehouse, makerspace, theater, meeting space, and the area's largest solar array!
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Memorial Clock Tower
351 1st Street, Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494
Dedicated to the earliest settlers for their great efforts and progress they and those who followed brought to this area and to the Mead families for their continuous commitment to the beautification of our river banks and parks, this clock tower stands along the riverfront in downtown Wisconsin Rapids.
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Performing Arts Center of Wisconsin Rapids
1801 16th Street South, Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494
(715) 424-6763 | Website | Facebook
The Performing Arts Center of Wisconsin Rapids, an 833 seat proscenium theater located on the campus of Lincoln High School, is the hub of performing arts events in the Central Wisconsin area. Check the website for their current schedule.
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Pittsville Area Community Theater (PACT)
5407 1st Ave, Pittsville, WI 54466
Website | Facebook
Bringing Community Theater to the “Exact Center of Wisconsin” since 2003! PACT strive to promote the arts and provide high-quality entertainment in the Central Wisconsin area. Summer productions offer area community members the opportunity to participate in live theater. Check out their website for upcoming shows!
Pittsville Area Foundation for the Arts
5407 1st Ave, Pittsville, WI 54466
Facebook
Home to the Prairie Fire Children’s Theatre, where children from Pittsville and its surrounding area perform traditional stories, fables, and classic tales. They also host other events such as concerts and comedy shows. Visit their website for their schedule of events!
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Pittsville Area Historical Society
8256 Monroe Street, Pittsville, WI 54466
Website
A little building housing a lot of history! View display items and information about “the good old days” including clothing, hunting/fishing, entertainment, Native American exhibits. Open Thursdays May - September from 9 am - 12 pm & 1 pm - 3pm, Last Sundays of May - September 11 am - 3 pm.
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Rudolph Grotto
6957 Grotto Avenue, Rudolph, WI 54474
(715) 435-3120 | Website | Facebook
On top of a low hill, behind St. Philips Church, are the sprawling grounds of the Grotto Gardens and Wonder Cave. The Rudolph Grotto, started in 1920, was a fulfillment of a promise that Father Philip Wagner made to the Virgin Mary in thanks for healing from a lingering illness while studying for the priesthood. The Grotto consists of five plus acres and lush flower beds, numerous shrines, museum, and gift shop. The Grotto is set among meandering paths and crooked bridges, with shady, intimate areas for meditation as well as more formal memorials and open picnic grounds.
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South Wood County Historical Museum
540 3rd Street South, Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494
(715) 423-1580 | Website
Local banker Isaac P. Witter and his wife Charlotte built their beautiful home on “Quality Row” in 1907, and the South Wood County Historical Museum would like to share it with you. Their display of Disney animator Grim Natwick’s work includes his Betty Boop, Mr. Magoo, Snow White and others. They invite you to view a history of area cranberry growing and Wisconsin Rapids business districts. They also feature a country kitchen, school room and a recently renovated train depot and lumbering exhibit. The Museum is open April through Labor Day on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays from 1-4 pm. No charge. Tours can be scheduled upon request year-round and our grounds are available for weddings and senior photographs.
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Veterans Memorial Park
112 2nd Street South, Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494
(715) 421-8240 | Website
Located in the heart of downtown Wisconsin Rapids on the east bank of the Wisconsin River. The Veterans Memorial Park is dedicated to the veterans of Central Wisconsin. This park is a popular facility for the holiday Rekindle the Spirit lighting ceremony, Independence Day celebration and hosts “Lunch by the River”, which is a weekly event during the summer that provides entertainment and food by local vendors.
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Wisconsin Rapids City Band
(715) 421-3115 | Website | Facebook
June through August you can enjoy the sounds of the city band musicians playing a wide variety of music under the summer sky at Robinson Park. Visit their website for performance dates and times.
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Wisconsin Rapids Community Theatre
220 3rd Avenue South, Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54495
(715) 421-0435 | Website | Facebook
Located in the Centralia Center, the Wisconsin Rapids Community Theatre (WRCT), has been bringing live theatre showcasing local talent to central Wisconsin for over 40 years. Visit their website for a complete listing of events!
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Wisconsin River Papermaking Museum
730 First Avenue South, Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54495
(715) 424-3037
The Wisconsin River Papermaking Museum features a pictorial history of the 100-year old mansion that houses the museum as well as photos and history of the development of the dam on the Wisconsin River at Grand Rapids/Centralia and the beginnings of Consolidated Water Power & Paper Company. Call to check availability.
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Wisconsin Fire and EMS Memorial
2031 2nd Avenue South (Ben Hanson Park), Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54495
(262) 893-9543 | Website | Facebook
A moving tribute to all Wisconsin firefighters, especially those who have fallen in the line of duty. Located in a beautiful setting on the Wisconsin River. Includes the Fallen Firefighter statue, memorial wall and Visitors Center.