For the City Times

STEVENS POINT — The Portage County Historical Society (PCHS) is pleased to announce the launch of a new Junior Historian program.

The PCHS Junior Historian Program will give students in grades third through fifth, an opportunity to learn about the history of Portage County, Wisconsin and the United States. The objective and purpose of the program is to develop future historians and make learning history fun. Junior members will also learn to respect and appreciate the local history of central Wisconsin and learn how they can continue the preservation and historical interpretation of Portage County history.

Membership in the PCHS Junior Historian Program will include fun learning activities and semi-annual events for students to learn more about local history through craftsmen, archaeologists, genealogists, researchers and the Portage County Historical Society members, docents, publications, annual events, and historical sites.

The membership includes a members only Junior Historian t-shirt. Junior Historian membership also includes full membership in the PCHS, helping to support the educational purpose of the organization to “preserve, advance, and disseminate knowledge of the history of Portage County, Wisconsin..”

PCHS Junior Historian members will receive an activity book and historical site passport. The activity book will include self-guided activities that will help students explore and learn more about Portage County history. The activity book will also include a historical passport section which will allow members to visit the PCHS historical sites and receive a stamp at each location visited and toured. Members who complete their history passport will receive special recognition and a reward.

Another component of the program will be members only events. Events will take place at PCHS historical sites and will include a docent lead tour, fun history related activities, and other interactive activities that will help members better connect to central Wisconsin and its rich history.

The PCHS Junior Historian program will address the following guiding questions/principles:

· How Portage County was formed, developed, and continues to grow

· What a historical society and museums are about

· Who the important figures were in Portage County and what events

shaped our county.

· How to preserve the past and the present for future generations

Yearly membership in the PCHS Junior Historian program is $15. To join the PCHS Junior Historian program, parent’s may register their 3rd-5th grade student at the following link:

https://goo.gl/168W9R