See You in Spring 2024!

Thanks for another great season! We reopen for general admission in May 2024. Our online shop is always open—find unique merchandise for the history lover, from made in Wisconsin items to beer and brewing, home goods, apparel and more.

See You in Spring 2024!

Thanks for another great season! We reopen for general admission in May 2024. Our online shop is always open—find unique merchandise for the history lover, from made in Wisconsin items to beer and brewing, home goods, apparel and more.

Get the Best Deal in History 

Wisconsin Historical Society members receive unlimited free admission to our 11 historic sites and museums, a complimentary annual subscription to the Wisconsin Magazine of History, merchandise discounts and more. Join at the Family level and above for added benefits and discounts at over 1,200 organizations nationwide! 

Discover Wisconsin’s Cornish
History and the Couple
Who Helped Preserve It

Every building tells a story, and at Pendarvis, there are plenty, each with a unique narrative to tell. Your journey through this picturesque cluster of stone structures will take you not only through the stories of the people who originally created and inhabited them, but also the story of Bob Neal and Edgar Hellum, the couple who  salvaged, restored, and made these buildings shine again. 


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Become a Wisconsin Historical Society member and visit all 12 of our historic sites for free! Membership pays for itself in as little as two visits and includes other great benefits like discounts and reciprocal benefits to more than 1,200 organizations.


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Pendarvis

Pendarvis

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Tucked away in historic Mineral Point, Pendarvis celebrates the 20th century preservation efforts of

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Happy St. Piran's Day!

The national day of Cornwall is celebrated every March 5. St. Piran is both a patron saint of Cornwall and of tin miners. The black field with white cross is the flag of Cornwall and is associated with St. Piran.

Mineral Point has been called one of the most Cornish towns in America.
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2 weeks ago
Happy St. Pirans Day! 

The national day of Cornwall is celebrated every March 5. St. Piran is both a patron saint of Cornwall and of tin miners. The black field with white cross is the flag of Cornwall and is associated with St. Piran. 

Mineral Point has been called one of the most Cornish towns in America.

Happy birthday to Edgar Gorby Hellum!

Edgar was born on this day in 1906 in Stoughton, Wisconsin. In 1934, he met Robert Neal, and together as business and life partners, they spent the rest of their lives promoting and preserving history. Their biggest endeavor was operating the Pendarvis House restaurant and restoring the surrounding buildings from 1935-1970, which make up Pendarvis Historic Site today.

📸Edgar on the front step of Pendarvis House, ca 1935. Before Pendarvis House became well known as a restaurant, it operated as an antique shop that served Cornish tea.
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3 weeks ago
Happy birthday to Edgar Gorby Hellum! 

Edgar was born on this day in 1906 in Stoughton, Wisconsin. In 1934, he met Robert Neal, and together as business and life partners, they spent the rest of their lives promoting and preserving history. Their biggest endeavor was operating the Pendarvis House restaurant and restoring the surrounding buildings from 1935-1970, which make up Pendarvis Historic Site today.

📸Edgar on the front step of Pendarvis House, ca 1935. Before Pendarvis House became well known as a restaurant, it operated as an antique shop that served Cornish tea.

Comment on Facebook

This is wonderful...he was such a kind man, to my mom. Working for Bob and Edgar, had to be the most peaceful years my mom ever knew. True gentle...men

he was a great person, very talented

My "god"parents - Edgar & Bob. Oft said, "if not for Bob, there wouldn't he a Pendarvis; if not for Edgar, no one would come." Reversed is true too 🥰

Do you or someone you know love history? Want to work at a place spanning over a hundred and fifty years of Wisconsin’s history? Are you in the Mineral Point and Belmont areas?

Apply for a summer job with the Wisconsin Historical Society at Pendarvis and First Capitol! Help guide guests through the buildings and grounds and experience first hand all the awesome events put on at the site. Apply online, add your resume with your experience--even if it’s only a little--and we will get in touch with you! No experience necessary! We would be happy to have you!

Returning staff need not apply online, you will receive an email.

wihist.org/3uxvOoa
... See MoreSee Less

1 month ago
Do you or someone you know love history? Want to work at a place spanning over a hundred and fifty years of Wisconsin’s history? Are you in the Mineral Point and Belmont areas?

Apply for a summer job with the Wisconsin Historical Society at Pendarvis and First Capitol! Help guide guests through the buildings and grounds and experience first hand all the awesome events put on at the site. Apply online, add your resume with your experience--even if it’s only a little--and we will get in touch with you! No experience necessary! We would be happy to have you!

Returning staff need not apply online, you will receive an email. 

https://wihist.org/3uxvOoa