Welcome to the Williams Bay Historical Society
historical society logo
The purpose of the Williams Bay Historical Society is to assist in the preservation and exhibition of items of historical interest that are within the boundaries of Williams Bay, and the immediate surrounding area. The Society will seek to provide the public with educational opportunities to learn about our unique local history. The Society will also seek to organize and assist in the commemoration of significant dates and events in village history.

Browse Our Digital Archives Collection

Support the History of Williams Bay
The Williams Bay Historical Society welcomes you to the online Archives Collections of the  Williams Bay Historical Society and the Barrett Memorial Library

​Thank you to everyone who has donated to our collection. This history belongs to everyone in Williams Bay. The Historical Society and the Library are only its stewards.

This project is made possible by a generous grant from Gage Marine​
It's time to renew your Historical Society Membership!

We strongly encourage everyone with an interest in Williams Bay or the history of Williams Bay to join the Williams Bay Historical Society. By joining, you are contributing to the preservation of the history of Williams Bay and the surrounding area. Historical Society members receive our semi-annual newsletter, Shades of the Past.

Annual membership period is January 1 - December 31
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​The Williams Bay Historical Society is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization. Your donation is tax deductible to the extent of the law.
For additional indormation about the Historical Society ​email: wmsbayhistoricalsociety@gmail.com

Upcoming Programs and Events

Williams Bay Historical Society
Historical Society Annual Meeting
Saturday, October 5, 2024 at 10:30 am
Barrett Memorial Library
​Williams Bay, WI
Check back often for future Historical Society events
Williams Bay Events
Nick Caselli Rocking Car Show 
Saturday, October 12 10 am - 2 pm
Edgewater Park
​Williams Bay, WI
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Geneva Lake Museum
​Preserving the Past for the Future
255 Mill Street, Lake Geneva WI
Call 262-248-6060
Summer Hours
Sunday 11-3
Monday - Saturday 10-4
                                
Become a member of Geneva Lake Museum Click Here
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Walworth County Historical Society
Doris Reinke Resource Center
​9 South Broad Street, Elkhorn WI
                        262-723-7848
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Webster House Museum
9 East Rockwell Street, Elkhorn, WI
​Thursday and Friday 1- 4
Saturday 10 - 2
Nestled on a quiet street in the city of Elkhorn, WI, the Webster House Museum is a well-maintained white clapboard house, containing Civil War and Victorian period items. Philbrick Webster once owned the home. Both the structure and its famous owner played an important part in the history of Elkhorn.
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Historical Society of Walworth & Big Foot Prairie and Museum
101 Maple Street Walworth WI 
                                Phone 262-394-3309 
                                Wednesday 10 am - Noon
                                Saturday 1 - 3 pm​

A Pictorial History of Williams Bay, Wisconsin on Beautiful Geneva Lake

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Available at the following locations:
​Barrett Memorial Library - Williams Bay
Geneva Lake Museum - Lake Geneva
​Daniels Foods - Walworth
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​​Available online at Amazon.com.​
​Only $20.00

See What Others Have to Say About
A Pictorial History of Williams Bay

​"Loved this book immensely... such a beautiful place full of history. Nice to give as a gift to guests who visit. Joy to see such old photos! Great book!" 
-Edith O’Brien

"A Pictorial History of Williams Bay captures the true history of some ordinary people and a charming little village...Using historical photos shared by members of the community, old postcards, and information and images from local libraries and museums, the authors created a book that illustrates what needs to be remembered from the past to continue growth in the future...Thank you... for letting us appreciate the history of Williams Bay. On a side note, the cover is so perfect for what the readers will find inside!" - Carolyn
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"Normally I go through pictorial histories in about an hour, your book has wonderful photos and documented histories if the area, families, homes, and businesses. You have done a great job on the publication." - Nancy Lehman, President Historical Society of Walworth Big Foot Prairie

"This book was a labor of love for the authors, and it is evident in both the style and presentation of the material. The authors spent over two years researching the history of this town, and they left no stone unturned! Of particular interest is the fact that much material was of a first hand nature, using letters of the first settlers, to photographs found in many unusual places, and many coming from descendants of those in the pictures, or owners of photographed properties. What the reader is treated to is an almost first hand account, and a well guided tour through 178 years of history. As a historical researcher myself, I am impressed and overwhelmed by the attention to detail the authors have put forth on this book!
Especially interesting are the parts about the town's founding family, the Williams', and the section called Home Sweet Home. If you like town histories, local histories, pioneer history, or Wisconsin history, you will LOVE this book!!!"
- Stamppguy67
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