Attractions
Rich in art, nature, history and entertainment, Washburn County is host to many great attractions.
Visit the area museums to take a step back in time and discover what life was like in the area in years past, reconnect with nature at one of the area nature sanctuaries, or gather the family for a scenic ride on one of the historical trains that made this area famous.
Birchwood Area Log Museum
Birchwood Historical Society Museums: Log Museum, Main Street, Birchwood, WI; Howard Morey Homestead, Park Avenue, Birchwood, WI, 715-354-7300.
Birchwood Area Log Museum: The Log Museum holds a collection of logging memorabilia as well as a hand carved replica of a logging camp operation.
Howard Morey Homestead: The Morey house was originally built in 1901, and with many additions was finally completed in 1908. Howard Morey’s parents bought the house for $304.07. In 1924 Howard left Birchwood for Chicago to pursue his piloting career, three years later he began an airline shuttle service between Madison and Chicago. Over the next 40 years, Howard Morey continued to make a significant difference in Wisconsin aviation, including training pilots for World War II. His home was donated to the Birchwood Historical Society in 1995. The house is undergoing restoration to return it to its original appearance and to preserve the memory of Howard Morey. Hours for both museums are Memorial Day through Labor Day, Friday and Saturday, 1pm-4pm or by appointment
The Museum of Woodcarving: Hwy. 63, Shell Lake, WI, 715-468- 7100. The Museum of Woodcarving displays 100 life-sized carvings and 400 miniatures. Mr. Barta spent 15 years crafting his series of religious scenes in ponderosa and sugar pine 2x4s laminated together. When visiting, take time and study the life-size replica of "The Last Supper". This beautiful carving is internationally renowned and took Mr. Barta more than four years to complete. Donations given to the "Daniel and the Lion’s Den" are donated to various local charities. Open daily May 1 through October 31, 9am-6pm.
Erika Quam Memorial Theatre
Governor Tommy Thompson Fish Hatchery: 810 West Maple Street, Spooner, WI, 715-635-4149. The largest hatchery of its kind in the world; it is operated by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The facility annually produces nearly 2 million walleyes, 100,000 muskellunge and some northern pike. The visitor center is open year-round, 8am-4pm. Guided tours are subject to change, please contact the hatchery for tour information. You can see hatchery incubation in glass viewing tanks. Learn how to tell the age of a fish and what lures to use to catch one. There are displays about water quality, wildlife and habitat protection. The center also features a large mural of a lake scene, painted by DNR fish biologist Ruth King, showing plant and animal life above and below the water level. There is a walking path from the visitor center across the dam to Fish Hatchery Park on the Yellow River Flowage. There are picnic facilities, a fishing pier and boat launch, and the park is handicapped accessible. The hatchery and park may be reached from Highway 70 or Highway 63.
Happy Tonics Butterfly Habitat: Hwy. 63, Shell Lake, WI, 715-468- 2097. Located on the north side of Shell Lake beside Highway 63. The habitat is on the lake side, to the left of the public beach and Memorial Park and within a few blocks of downtown Shell Lake. The one half acre restored Remnant Native Tall Grass Prairie is implemented by Happy Tonics, Inc., a nonprofit environmental education organization and public charity. The habitat is a sustainable native wildflower and butterfly garden dedicated to protecting the monarch, a butterfly at risk in three countries, Canada, USA and Mexico. The habitat is open during daylight hours, spring through fall. Handicap parking is available near pergola. Buses welcome. Call Happy Tonics, (715) 468-2097 to arrange for a private tour. Saturday guided tours take place from Memorial Day weekend to the end of August, 10 a.m.-11 a.m. No admission charged. Donations appreciated to support the habitat. For more information, log on to www.happytonics.org.
Hunt Hill Audubon Sanctuary: N2384 Hunt Hill Road, Sarona, WI, 715-635-6543 or 877-777-8383. For over 30 years Hunt Hill Nature Center has been educating adults, families and children in developing an understanding and connection with nature. A variety of hands-on programs teach visitors about geology, plant life, and wildlife. Hunt Hill also offers ecology adventures. The Audubon Sanctuary covers more than 500 acres of forests, meadows, and glacial lakes that are home to wildlife and rare Wisconsin plant life. The diversity of these habitats support and protect the many animals and plants that have been pushed out of other areas due to environmental degradation. Their goal is to educate the public and protect Wisconsin’s forests and wetlands. For more info visit, www.hunthill.org.
Railroad Memories Museum: Downtown Spooner, WI, 715-635-3325 or 715-635-2752. Located in the heart of Spooner, an old railroad town, the Railroad Memories Museum allows visitors to take a step into the past and discover the many artifacts and memorabilia from days gone by. There are 13 rooms full of videos, model trains, an 8 x 12 foot scale diorama of the Spooner yard and complex, tools, equipment, track vehicles, station signs, books, art, and rare uniforms on display. The museum is housed in the former Chicago & Northwestern Railway depot and is open daily from Memorial Day thru Labor Day, 10am-5pm. For more information, log on to www.railroadmemoriesmuseum.org.
Shell Lake Arts Center The mission of the Shell Lake Arts Center is to provide creative arts education and enrichment experiences for diverse populations of youth and adult learners. This year marks our 43rd anniversary, and home to the oldest continuous jazz music camp in the nation. Join us near the beautiful shores of Shell Lake, where you will find no stop lights, no fast food, and not even a strip mall. Instead, you’ll find a sandy beach, many nature trails, a community of friendly neighbors, and a flurry of artistic fun at the Shell Lake Arts Center. Many former SLAC participants have become world-class performers, teachers and artists.
Stone Lake Area Historical Museum: Located off of Hwy 70, Stone Lake, WI, 715-865-8322. When Stone Lake's earliest pioneers arrived, they found nothing but swamp and forestland - a vast, untouched wilderness - yet they were convinced this area was their Land of Promise. The gravestone in evergreen Cemetery tells the silent story of many pioneer families, some who lived to see their dreams come true and some who did not. Yet every family there carved a niche in our historic past. A complete history can be viewed and read in the Historical Album located at the Historical Museum in Stone Lake. Open Saturdays, Memorial Day – Labor Day, 11am-2pm.
Veterans Memorial: Spooner Veterans’ Memorial, Hwy. 63, Spooner, WI; Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetary, Hwy. 53, Spooner, WI, 715-635-5360 The Spooner Veterans’ Memorial was completed in 2003. It is located in Waterfront Park on the south side of Spooner. Built by the Spooner-Trego Lions Club, the memorial consists of six jet-black granite stones, 8 feet wide and 5 1/2 feet high. Each stone is inscribed with up to 750 names of Spooner area veterans. To be included, the veteran must have "strong ties to Spooner," such as having attended school, lived or worked here. Currently there are more than 3,400 names inscribed on the stones. Names will be added as they become available. Names are engraved at no cost to the veteran’s family. In addition to the memorial stones, the floor of the memorial is laid with 900 granite paver stones set between 6,000 decorative stones. Individuals and groups can order paver stones engraved with a message. The memorial also features a bell tower with a four-foot eagle on top. Eight flags fly above the memorial. They are the American, Wisconsin and POW-MIA flags, as well as flags for each branch of the U.S. armed forces. The Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery near Spooner provides a final resting place for veterans and creates a lasting memorial to their achievement and sacrifices. The cemetery has an attractive administrative building, which includes a committal chapel for interment services. An outdoor committal shelter is used for services when weather permits. The cemetery also hosts veterans’ events and commemorations in its ceremonial area and flag plaza.
Washburn County Historical Museum
Washburn County Historical Museum: 102 West 2nd Avenue, Shell Lake, WI. 715-468-8382.The Washburn County Historical Museum depicts the last 150 years of Washburn County, includes the St. John’s Lutheran Church, built in 1888; the former parsonage, now called the Annex, built in 1896; the Beaver Brook School Museum; and the Sky Watch Hut used during World War II. The main room of the museum exhibits early photos of the towns, homes, farms and industries that made up Washburn County. Other featured items include antique toys, phones, hotel ledger, clothes and linens, and war memorabilia. The complex also houses period rooms, including a late 1800’s farmer’s bedroom and kitchen and rooms with farming and logging tools. Museums at Shell Lake and Springbrook are open Fridays and Saturdays from June 4th through September 4th, 11 a. m.-4 p. m. Open by appt. only in the off season. No admission charged; donations appreciated. Washburn County Historical Museum is also a center for genealogy. You can view government, family and business records. Museum and research center are also open year round by appointment, call 715-468-2982.
Wisconsin Canoe Museum: 312 North Front Street, Spooner, WI The museum started by a generous donation of 25 antique and historic canoes by the Dean family. The museum will house these canoes and more in half of the building, the other half will be used as a workshop. The Canoe Museum will be open Memorial Day thru Labor Day, Wed.-Sun. 10a.m.- 4p.m. For more information, log on to www.wisconsincanoeheritagemuseum.com.
Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad: 426 North Front Street, Spooner, WI, 715-635-3200. Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad is a historical excursion train operating on approximately 20 miles of former Chicago & North Western track between the Northern Wisconsin towns of Spooner and Springbrook along the picturesque Namekagon River. The family oriented attraction combines vintage railroad equipment and exciting special events to entertain and educate all age groups. Specialty train rides include: 400 Dinner Buffet, Family Pizza Train, Elegant Dinner Train, Sunday Brunch Train, Wedding Train, New Year’s Eve Train, Santa’s Pizza Party, Great Thanksgiving Buffet, Great Pumpkin Train and more. The excursion train operates under a permit issued by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation Bureau of Railroads and Harbors. For a schedule of upcoming train rides and events, log on to www.spoonertrainride.com.
