WISCONSIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY
an evening shot of the museum

Closed for the Season

Closed for the Season

Pendarvis is closed for the season. Thank you to our members and guests for your support during the 2021 season. We look forward to welcoming you back in June for the 2022 season. In the meantime, continue exploring Wisconsin history year-round at Wade House, the Wisconsin Historical Museum and through other Historical Society Events.

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Explore the Site

In this sepia tinted historic photo Bob & Edgar stand outside of Pendarvis looking casual

The picturesque cluster of stone buildings that make up Pendarvis Historic Site today were originally constructed by Cornish immigrants who settled in the area during the early 1800s. They were preserved through the efforts of life and business partners Bob Neal and Edgar Hellum.

Pendarvis will give visitors a new understanding of what it means to be a Wisconsin badger, and how one amazing couple helped save this piece of Wisconsin’s history.

Learn more about its history!

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Cancelled

Cancelled – Pub Night

Sept. 24 | 6 – 10 PM

Grab some friends and head on over to Pendarvis’ cozy recreated Cornish pub for a night of good food, cold drinks, games, and live music. The Tooles will perform their own fiery brand of Irish pub music from 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Food will be provided by the Pointer Café.

As part of Cornishfest this event is also cancelled, thank you so much for you interest.

Three members of The Tooles perform on a stage at night with dramatic lighting and smoke swirling around them.

Join us for programs and events

The Wisconsin Historical Society and its historic sites and museums host programs and events for all year long. From fun family adventures, interactive workshops, young adult mixers, and book talks, there’s always something new to explore virtually and in person across the state.

Pendarvis

a sign with the Pendarvis logo and a white building in the back ground

Step Back In Time

Tucked away in historic Mineral Point, Pendarvis celebrates the 20th century preservation efforts of business and life partners Robert Neal and Edgar Hellum, and the movement they started. Explore their famous restaurant and discover how they saved a significant part of Wisconsin history.
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"The place is not unlike an old document, possessing a philosophy and a feeling of the past."

ROBERT NEAL (WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY, 1946)

CALENDAR

Use our online calendar to see all the exciting events, activities, and programs happening at Pendarvis.
SEE CALENDAR

Wicker baskets in the Pendarvis store

Tommy Knocker: The Underground Knacker
Coloring Page

Cornish miners firmly believed in the existence of small, ugly, wizened, underground knackers or tommyknockers. They were thought to work alongside the miners in their own much smaller drifts, chipping away at the richest ore. To hear them in your mine was taken as a good sign, because they worked only the choicest ground. Knackers were forces to be reckoned with, however, and they often had to be appeased with a bit of pasty crust at lunchtime. Otherwise they might play pranks on you, such as causing a rock fall to cover your tools or they might pinch out a promising vein of ore.

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Explore Pendarvis

People outside of Pendarvis House


PENDARVIS HOUSE

Explore the restored Pendarvis House Restaurant that was once named as a top seven restaurant in the country by the Saturday Evening Post and featured in Gourmet, Life, and National Geographic magazines
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Dirt path leading to a wooden staircase with flowers


MINE HILL TRAILS & PRAIRIE

Hike the 43 acre Merry Christmas Mine Hill Trails & Prairie to see remnants of lead and zinc mining and one of the largest restored prairies in southwestern Wisconsin.

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Image of the Pendarvis House from the sidewalk


ABOUT US

Learn how Robert Neal and Edgar Hellum saved a significant part of Wisconsin history.
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PLAN YOUR VISIT

Begin planning your trip today! Tickets, Hours, Directions and more.
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a digital flyer with the text "48 Discover over 48 acers of history by exploring historic homes, hiking trails, and wandering pathways through gardens."
a digital flyer with the text "177 the oldest building on site, the Martin Cabin, was constructed 177 years ago in 1841."

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