We are always looking for people interested in joining the Historical Society to support the preservation and presentation of New Berlin's history. Members are invited to attend Board of Directors meetings, usually held monthly on the 4th Monday at 7 pm.
Whether a member or not, we welcome anyone who can offer time and talent to help us fulfill our mission. Please contact Membership Coordinator Sue Hemmen to learn how you can be involved.
Who Can Join?
Membership in the New Berlin Historical Society is open to anyone. Annual dues are $15 per year.
Benefits of Joining
Members receive newsletters which are published several times each year, as well as the latest issue of the NEW BERLIN ALMANACK.
How to Become A Member
Contact Membership Coordinator Sue Hemmen.
Visitors to Historical Park can always tour the grounds and read the information signs attached to most buildings. The park is located in the Prospect Hill Settlement District thal also includes the former Freewill Baptist Church building and the Weston Antique Orchard. Images of both the buildings and information signs are shown below.
Above is a 2024 aerial view of Historical Park. The buildings in which the society maintains exhibits are, from left to right, Winton-Sprengel house, Winton-Martin house, Winton-Sprengel barn, school house, Meidenbauer log house, cupola, and the New Berlin History Museum
Accross the street is the Weston antique apple orchard grounds and buildings as well as the former Freewill Baptist church building.
From the east the visitor's first view is the 1859 Freewill Baptist church building. Historical Park is just across the street.
The Church building is open to visitors at Open House events and special tours. It contains exhibits relating to its history. Artifacts include the original bible that survived the fire, original reed organ (and two others).
Alice Westin Memorial Garden
WESTON BARN and ORCHARD HISTORY
This bank barn was built in 1906 by George Koeffler. The two foot thick basement walls are constructed of field stone and mortar. The upper frame is mortise and tenon beam construction. Evidence suggests livestock was housed below, and hay and grain stored in the upper level.
Mr. Koeffler also built the farm house. Emma Korn owned the firm until 1917. The farm of only 10 acres passed through several hands between 1917 and 1927, when Otto and Minnie Hertel acquired it.
In 1928, the Marckwardt/Weston family moved to the farm. William Marckwardt bought the farm in 1931. His daughter, Alice Weston, inherited the farm from his estate in 1949.
The main use of the barn's basement by the Marckwardt/Weston family was as an aluminum/brass foundry. The company produced barrel stands and was named "Waukesha Metal Products Co." with William Marckwardt's brother, Henry, as President and Harvey Weston as Vice President. After several years, the company dissolved and the barn was used as storage.
As the apple orchards planted by the Marckwardt family began to produce in 1944, the barn's basement became an apple cooler and the main floor of the barn was used to store orchard machinery. The barn remains in active use today for the orchard operation and occasional barn dance. The Weston's donated the property to the City of New Berlin in 2004, but they retain the right to operate the orchard. They grow over 150 varieties of heirloom apples and other fruits. Visitors are welcome.
The New Berlin Historical Society was chartered in 1965, and is an affiliate of the Wisconsin Historical Society. Its first home was the Miller farmhouse on Cleveland Avenue. In 1970 the City of New Berlin purchased the 3.5 acre Sprengel property, now known as Historical Park, in the Prospect Hill Settlement District. The Society has since Restored the house to its early 1900's period, Recreated a Country Store in the Carriage Building, Moved and Restored a local Log House, and Rescued and Restored the1863 One Room School House. The Society also Rescued and Restored Theodora Winton Youmans' childhood home. Ms. Youmans was Wisconsin's nationally famous suffragist and is credited with leading the Wisconsin legislators to a speedy vote and become the first state to approve the United States 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote.
A major project of the society has been the transformation of the former fire station at 19885 National Ave. to a museum/office complex. In 2020 the existing building was renovated and a major addition was completed. The west bay of the station houses displays featuring the former volunteer fire department, The remaining exhibit space is devoted to showing the life and times of New Berlin's past through exhibits that include a country store, police and military history and agricultural history told through the extensive Cornfalfa Farms collection of artifacts and images. These exhibits, and others under consideration, are works in progress as this is written (November 2021). The museum also houses office space, a conference room/library and a gift shop.
The Society welcomes new members; the only requirement is an interest in New Berlin history. We have many projects that can use a variety of talents, so why not call and find out how you can help preserve our history for future generations. Contact Ann Marquardt for more information.
The Society holds four special open houses a year: our June Open House, the July Ice Cream Social, Historic Day on the first Sunday after Labor Day, and Applefest, the first Sunday in October. During these events we station knowledgeable volunteers in the buidings to inform our visitors. Please consult the Event Calendar for details. Also consider joining us to help staff these events.
There are two annual full membership meetings, each with a program open to the public. You will find these listed on our Calendar.
The 14-member Board of Directors meets monthly. Members are welcome, and encouraged, to attend board meetings. The meeting schedule is posted on our Calendar.
The New Berlin Historical Society is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization staffed entirely by volunteers. Please consider becoming a member and a volunteer.
Upcoming Meetings
| Board Meetig January 27th, 2025 2:30pm |
Latest Updates
Almanack 2024: Family Memories, Growing up on a produce farm
Almanack 2023: NB Volunteer Fire Dept History The Early Years 1954-55