About Us
About the Rock County Historical Society
After a few attempts to start a historical society, the Rock County Historical Society was formally organized in 1930 with E. H. Canfield as its president to collect artifacts and information on the history of Rock County. Having no place for the collection of historical artifacts, they were display in business windows.
In 1959 the Hinkly family donated the Hinkly House to the Historical Society and everything was moved into the Hinkly House.
The Historical Society needed more space and in 1996, it acquired the Masonic Temple on Freeman Street for items to be displayed and stored. The Hinkly House was then restored to its former beauty and opened for tours to the public.
By 2016 more storage and display space was needed. The former Herman Motor auto dealership building on Main Street was purchased. Over $800,000 was raised to remodel the Herman Motor building to become The History Center.
Four buildings have been constructed or moved to the Rock County fairgrounds to house artifacts and displays of early life in Rock County.
