Step Into the Story of the Northwoods of Wisconsin at
Pioneer Park Historical Complex!
Owned and operated by the City of Rhinelander and founded in 1932, Pioneer Park Historical Complex is home to the oldest Logging Museum of its kind in the nation, and it only gets better from there.
This charming indoor and outdoor museum features a whole village of buildings and exhibits, including:
Red’s Antique Sawmill Museum – showcasing Northwoods logging power and grit.
A vintage One-Room Rural Schoolhouse – step into early Wisconsin education.
The Wisconsin CCC Museum – honoring the men who built our parks, forests, and conservation legacy.
An Antique Fire Truck Display – engines and stories from local firefighting history.
The nostalgic Belles of St. Mary’s Exhibit – a tribute to the famous Rhinelader Drum and Bugle Corps.
Duke’s Antique Outboard Motor and Boat Museum – a celebration of Wisconsin’s boating tradition.
The Northwoods Railroad Museum – complete with autheit Soo Line Depot, the iconic “5 Spot” Narrow Gauge Logging Train, and fabulous Model Train layout.
The Rhinelander Papermill History Exhibit – located in the Depot basement, telling the story of industry that helped build Rhinelander, and carries on today.
And of course, the official Hodag History Display – with the oldest Hodags on display you can meet Rhinelander’s famous beast face-to-face and learn about its Northwoods legacy!
With something for everyone—families, history lovers, and curious explorers alike—Pioneer Park Historical Complex is a must-visit destination in the heart of the Northwoods!
Follow this link to see what Pioneer Park Historical Complex has in store for you!
What to do at PPHC!
HOURS
Open Memorial Day Weekend – Labor Day Weekend
and Weekends in September!
Fall Hours – Weekends in September
Sunday: 12noon-4pm
Saturday: 10am-5pm
Special Regular Season Closings:
Tuesday, July 4th, 2023: CLOSED
July 25th– 27th, 2024: CLOSED
for Oneida County Fair Set-Up
Special Event Open Dates:
Saturday, May 16th, 2025: 9am-5pm during Hodag Heritage Festival (Logging and Railroad Museum Only)
Open Times during The Oneida County Fair
Thursday, July 31st: 4pm – 7pm
Friday, August 1st: 10am – 5pm
Saturday, August 2nd: 10am – 5pm
Sunday, July 30th: 12noon-4pm
Link to Oneida County Fair, held at Pioneer Park
July 31 – August 3, 3025
www.ocfairwi.com
FREE ADMISSION – DONATIONS APPRECIATED
Pioneer Park Historical Complex operates only with your generous donations. You can find donation boxes throughout the Complex, or use this handy QR code or click the link below to make a donation today!
Our Neck of the Woods!
Location:
PPHC is located on Martin Lynch Drive, within Pioneer Park in Rhinelander. The entrance to Pioneer Park is found at the intersection of Oneida Avenue, and Ocala Streets in Rhinelander. Please call (715)369-5004 if you have trouble finding us.
