KING, Wis.—Last week, the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) and the Waupaca Historical Society signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which lays the groundwork for the preservation and restoration of the historic and beloved Commandant House on the campus of the Wisconsin Veterans Home at King.
“Thanks to the efforts of dedicated community partners, the Commandant’s House at King will continue to add to the long and proud history of serving veterans that goes back almost a century and a half,” said WDVA Secretary James Bond. “Together we can ensure this treasure continues to inspire future generations the same way it inspires us.”
After a ceremonial signing and ribbon cutting, WDVA handed over the keys to the Waupaca Historical Society’s Friends of the Commandant’s House at King Committee. This transfer kicks off a new chapter in the history of the relationship between the Veterans Home and the Chain O’Lakes community that began shortly after the Civil War.
“The Commandant’s House tells the stories of veterans, staff, volunteers, and families who have shaped the Wisconsin Veterans Home since the late 1800s,” said Tracy Behrendt, Director of the Waupaca Historical Society. “We are honored to help preserve this important piece of Waupaca and Veterans Home history and look forward to sharing these stories with the public in the years ahead.”
The Waupaca Historical Society will be opening the house for tours following the Chain Skiers shows this summer. Check out their website or their Facebook page for more updates.
“Historic preservation is about much more than maintaining a building,” said Ashlie Buck, Waupaca Historical Society Board President. “It is about protecting the stories connected to that building—the stories of the Commandants who lived here, the staff and volunteers who dedicated themselves to serving veterans, and most importantly, the veterans and families whose lives have been touched by this remarkable institution for generations.”
Following the signing of the agreement, the Wisconsin Veterans Museum’s director Chris Kolakowski gave a talk called “250 Years in the Making: Central Wisconsin’s Revolutionary Legacy,” in honor of America250, and discussed the contributions that Wisconsin veterans have had on the nation since 1776.
