The Pepin County Historical Society has hired an intern to assist in the operation of the Pepin County Heritage Center located in downtown Durand. Matt Polum of Stevens Point, Wis., has been hired to provide staffing during extended summer hours at the heritage center. Some responsibilities include transferring historical society records to digital format along with cataloging new and existing donations into the Past Perfect collection management software.
Matt Polum is a graduate student at UW-Eau Claire. He is planning on graduating with his Master of Art in Public History in December. His thesis is focused on understanding how survivor accounts and media portrayal of the Great Peshtigo Fire of 1871 have influenced public memory of the event. In his free time, Polum plays competitive dodgeball and raises chickens back home in Stevens Point.
The Pepin County Heritage Center provides an interesting and educational look at Pepin County and all it has to offer. Visitors are encouraged to stop by the heritage center to view local artifacts, research in the new research room, and enjoy stories of Pepin County’s interesting past. Artifact/photo donations relating to Pepin County’s past from any period are also appreciated.
Admission is free, but donations are appreciated to help with the upkeep of the 150-year-old courthouse building. The extended hours for 2025 are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday through Sunday through Labor Day weekend. For more information or questions please visit www.pepincountyheritagecenter.com
