For Immediate Release

Contact: Kara O’Keeffe
608-261-9596
kara.okeeffe@wisconsinhistory.org

May 14, 2019

Visit a Destination of Preservation at Pendarvis Historic Site This Summer

Mineral Point, Wis. – Tucked away in Mineral Point, Pendarvis Historic Site celebrates the 20th-century preservation efforts of business and life partners, Robert Neal and Edgar Hellum, and the movement they started. The site will officially open on June 1.

“We are excited to tell the story of the preservation work of Bob and Edgar at Pendarvis,” said Susan Caya-Slusser, southwest sites director for the Wisconsin Historical Society. “Anyone who is interested in or has a fascination with historic preservation should have Pendarvis on their list as a must-visit place.”

Starting off the season on June 1, the book, “We’ve Been Here All Along: Wisconsin’s Early Gay History,” by scholar and activist, Richard Wagner will take place from 4:00-5:00 pm. This is the first of two groundbreaking volumes on gay history in Wisconsin, “We've Been Here All Along” provides an illuminating and nuanced picture of Wisconsin's gay history from the reporting on the Oscar Wilde trials of 1895 to the landmark Stonewall Riots of 1969.

On June 20, from 5:00-8:00 pm, join Pendarvis as they celebrate Mineral Point Museum Night. During this after-hours tour, guests can visit three of Mineral Point’s historic attractions, Pendarvis Historic Site, Shake Rag Alley Center for the Arts, and Orchard Lawn. Iowa County residents get in free of charge with proof of residency.

Have a drink in the recreated pub during Pub Night on September 27 from 6:00-10:00 pm. There will be live music, drinks, dinner from Our Kitchen food truck, and games in the cozy Cornish pub! The first drink is $10 with $5 refills. The unique Pendarvis House shield glass is yours to keep! Proceeds from Pub Night go to preserving and interpreting the beautiful buildings at Pendarvis Historic Site. 

Pendarvis Historic Site will be open June 1 through October 20, Thursday’s through Sunday’s, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. Guests visiting can explore historic buildings, hike the Mine Hill Trails and wander the stone paths through the gardens in the beautiful landscape that exemplifies the Driftless region.

For more information and to plan your trip visit pendarvishistoricsite.org.

About Pendarvis Historic Site

Pendarvis is one of twelve Wisconsin Historical Society Museums and Historic Sites.  Pendarvis is a historic site located in Mineral Point, Wisconsin.  The site, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is made up of several 19th-century cabins built by Cornish immigrants who came to Mineral Point to mine lead.  Today, the site celebrates the restoration and preservation efforts of Robert Neal and Edgar Hellum, who saved a significant part of Wisconsin’s past. For general information and details, call 608-987-2122 or visitwww.pendarvis.wisconsinhistory.org.

About the Wisconsin Historical Society

The Wisconsin Historical Society, founded in 1846, ranks as one of the largest, most active and most diversified state historical societies in the nation. As both a state agency and a private membership organization, its mission is to help people connect to the past by collecting, preserving and sharing stories. The Wisconsin Historical Society serves millions of people every year through a wide range of sites, programs and services. For more information, visit wisconsinhistory.org.

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