Rock County Historical Society

Mission Statement

"Education Through Preservation"

The Rock County Historical Society, a quasi-public membership organization, preserves, advances and disseminates knowledge of the history of Rock County, Wisconsin, by identifying, collecting, preserving, protecting, and interpreting prehistoric and historic cultural resources relating to the history of the county. The Society serves as a regional history research and cultural center. The Society will also collect selected national subjects germane to the historic sites it operates, or to certain specified local industries, activities or phenomena. The Society endeavors through its programs to enrich the communities of Rock County and to contribute to an understanding and appreciation of their history and of Wisconsin and American heritage and culture.

The Rock County Historical Society, by state statute, its Articles of Incorporation and by tradition established since 1948, has the responsibility to:

1. Develop and conserve archival, library, Rock County and local public records, iconographic, film, archeological, ethnographic, architectural, arts, and artifact collections: governed by a collection policy based on recognized professional standards;
2. Conduct research and provide assistance for research in topics germane to its collections;
3. Interpret its collections and the history of Rock County to the public through various means including permanent and temporary exhibits, historic sites, publications, and other programs;
4. Promote, provide, and assist formal and informal education about the prehistory and history of Rock County, advance greater public appreciation of the basic dynamics of the American experience, and promote understanding of the importance and value of history;
5. Cooperate with and assist area institutions of higher education, state and local agencies, other affiliated historical societies, other institutions and individuals to promote effective management of prehistoric and historic cultural resources in Rock County and enhance historical research and education.
6. Identify and respond to the challenges and opportunities of the future and obtain and effectively manage the resources necessary to fulfill its mission.