Museum
Welcome to the Peshtigo Fire Museum
The Peshtigo Fire Museum is located on the site of the Catholic church that Father Pernin lost in the fire. The building is the first church rebuilt in Peshtigo after the fire and is actually the former Congregational church. The building was moved to this location after the Catholic church on that corner was destroyed by fire (again) in 1927. When St. Mary Parish built a new church a few blocks away, the Congregational church building was acquired by the Peshtigo Historical Society. It became home to the Peshtigo Fire Museum in 1963.
Photo: Congregational church, the first church built after the fire, being moved across river to current museum site. Courtesy of Peshtigo Times
Admission
Admission is donation based and enables our museum to stay open. Thank you!
Hours
Open every day Memorial Day weekend through October 8th from 10am-4pm.
We recommend allowing 1.5 – 2 hours for your visit. We have two floors and a cemetery, so there’s lots to see!
Location
Find the museum at 400 Oconto Avenue in Peshtigo, WI
Presentations
Visitors are welcome to explore on their own or hear stories about the fire from the museum guides. Presentations for groups of ten or more can be scheduled—just call 715-582-3244 (during the open season) or fill out the presentation request form.
Historic structures and outside areas provide challenges that make it difficult to provide complete access to all visitors. Please contact us with specific questions and concerns.
Gift Shop
The gift shop, located inside the museum, offers books, t-shirts, and other mementos for sale.
Please note: we only accept cash or check at the gift shop.
Fire Cemetery
The memorial marker for fire victims located in the Peshtigo Fire Cemetery is the first official Wisconsin state historical marker. It was erected by the citizens of Peshtigo in 1951.
The cemetery has a Mass Grave for 350 victims of the fire who could not be identified. Many of the gravestones have a corresponding story of the deceased. A map of the cemetery can be found at the museum and on our Fire Cemetery page.
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