Museum at the Portage Former home of Author/Playwright
Historical Portage
Zona Gale
Permanent & Seasonal Exhibits open april, May, September & october Thursday - Saturday 1pm - 4pm June, July & august Tuesday - Saturday 1pm - 4pm
Free Admission 804 MacFarlane, Portage • (608) 742-6682 • www.portagemuseum.org
Portage Canal The land lying between the Fox River and the Wisconsin River was known as in the early days as a "portage." A portage is the act of transporting boats and supplies from one waterway to another. It is unique as it is part of a natural watershed or is called a "continental divide." The Fox River flows from South to North emptying into Lake Michigan - St. Lawrence - Atlantic and the Wisconsin
River flows from North to South emptying into the Mississippi - Gulf of Mexico. The Indians called the "portage" Wau-wauo-nah, now more commonly known as "Wauona" which means "the place where one takes up his canoe and carries it on his back." The one and four-tenths mile trail through this marshy area was very difficult. Sometimes during high water boats could paddle from one river to the other. In 1828,
Fort Winnebago Historical Site
Surgeons Quarters & Garrison School Built about 1828 on the fort site by the US Army, this log house was used as barracks and the sutler’s store until 1834, when it became living quarters for the Army’s surgeons. This is the last remaining building of Fort Winnebago. Many original items from the Fort and original furnishing from the Territorial Days are on display. It is also the site of Garrison School, used continuously from 1850 - 1960. Phone: (608)742-2949, Email: surgeonsquarters@frontier.com • Web: www.wsdar.com/surgeons
the U.S. Department of Army sent soldiers to erect a fort at the Portage, to protect the white settlers and to keep the Indians in order. The Indians were charging tolls to "portage" across their land and the white settlers did not want to pay. There was a need for a better means of transportation. www.portagecanalsociety.com
I NDIAN AGENCY HOUSE Historic
at Ft. Winnebago
1832 National Register-listed workplace and home of Federal Indian Agent John Kinzie, Jr. and his adventurous wife Juliette. Experience their story: one couple’s exciting frontier adventure juxtaposed with the sobering reality of the Winnebago’s forever-altered way of life. Next to the Ice Age Trail and Historic NEW 1.2 mile Nature Trail Portage Canal. Don’t miss our special Hard Hat Restoration Tours, only in 2012!
Phone: (608)742-6362, Web: www.agencyhouse.org
Located just East of Portage along Highway 33. Open May 15th – October 15th. 7 days a week. Monday through Saturday: 10 – 4 & Sunday: 11 – 4. Guided tours available. 60 • travelcolumbiacounty.net
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