History Alive Project, Inc.

History Alive Project, Inc. Our organization creates "out of the box" projects to discover and maintain our areas history for community members of all ages.

NOW YOU KNOW!Everything has its own unique history! With a new sports season starting in Westby, lets look back at some...
08/05/2026

NOW YOU KNOW!

Everything has its own unique history! With a new sports season starting in Westby, lets look back at some sporting events that have taken place in Westby's long history.

Is there a single moment that you remember dealing with Westby sports? For History Alive Project members, one would have to be the Hail Mary shot that Terry Storbakken took at the end of a Brookwood basketball game to put the game into overtime. Westby went on to win that game! What is yours?

Looking Back!Do you remember a high school play that you were part of? This flashback goes back to 1964. The play that...
08/04/2026

Looking Back!

Do you remember a high school play that you were part of? This flashback goes back to 1964. The play that these individuals were part of was "The Miracle Worker." "The Miracle Worker," was a set drama about Helen Keller and her determined turor, Annie Sullivan.

Westby High School Drama Department each year has performed an outstanding drama with excellent performers and crew that works so hard to bring this to our communities.

If you were part of one of the many productions that Westby High School has performed, History Alive Project would love to hear some of your special moments that you have in the production(s) that you were involved in.

NOW YOU KNOW!With the 79th Cashton Fall Festival on our September 2026 calendar, History Alive Project is guessing that ...
08/03/2026

NOW YOU KNOW!

With the 79th Cashton Fall Festival on our September 2026 calendar, History Alive Project is guessing that some of you know very little about the man who started the Village of Cashton. His bio will raise your eyebrows a bit!

Born in 1843 in Ohio, William H.H. Cash died of heart failure. He was in the Civil War (enlisting at the age of 20 and fought in Sherman's campaign through Atlanta GA), a livestock dealer, involved with insurance, banking and railroad businesses. He served in the Wisconsin State Assembly.

He was married three times and the father of nine children. He, also, served as Postmaster of New Lisbon WI before moving to this area. He was very involved with the Sparta to Viroqua RR and found time to own a saloon!

The Cashton Fall Festival was started in 1947 by the Cashton Ameriican Legion Post 445; they passed the responsibility to the Cashton Community Club. Traditional highlights include the Grand Parade each year!

Have you attended this popular Fest? What stories do you have? Were you in the Parade? Are you going to attend this year?

Stumper Saturday answers to #428:1. See photo and list2. 1995-96 boys basketball team, tournament bound!3. San Francisc...
08/02/2026

Stumper Saturday answers to #428:

1. See photo and list
2. 1995-96 boys basketball team, tournament bound!
3. San Francisco 49ers
4. Burl Ives

Stumper Saturday # 429: (Animals living in Norway)This week, History Alive Project is trying something new. HAP wants...
08/02/2026

Stumper Saturday # 429: (Animals living in Norway)

This week, History Alive Project is trying something new. HAP wants each of you to unscramble the choices below into animals found in Norway.

NOW YOU KNOW!Flashback to last summer on Westby's Main Street when all the digging and road construction was in full swi...
08/01/2026

NOW YOU KNOW!

Flashback to last summer on Westby's Main Street when all the digging and road construction was in full swing.

When this photo was taken in 1908, you will note the entire stretch of road was just dirt!

Now let us hear from you about this photo. What stories do you have or have heard about any of the buildings in the photograph? This would be a great way in telling the story of Westby! Your stories add to the history of our community no matter how every-day they might be!

History Alive Project is curious to know how much light was thrown from the one light hanging over Main Street (circled in photo).

Did you notice the wood sidewalk; can you count the number of those really tall telephone poles?

Can you name any businesses today that are now located in buildings shown?

NOW YOU KNOW! MEET OUR HISTORY ALIVE PROJECT BOARD MEMBER!Having been born in Viroqua WI and then living in the Westb...
07/31/2026

NOW YOU KNOW!

MEET OUR HISTORY ALIVE PROJECT BOARD MEMBER!

Having been born in Viroqua WI and then living in the Westby area for all of her life, "History Alive Project" Board member Darlene (Dar) Kraabel has and continues to bring a wealth of life experiences and knowledge of the Westby area to her position.

After graduating from Westby High School in 1978, Dar has been employed professionally in area restaurant food preparation and management; she is currently working at "Famous Dave's BBQ" in Onalaska WI as its manager, where she oversees some 25 additional employees, doing much if not all of the long-term planning and ordering, as well as making sure that the entire place runs smoothly, day after day.

About ten years ago, Dar joined the "History Alive Project" citing that she loves how this Organization initially started and still continues to preserve, share and educate people about their past expanding their story to many audiences; that includes preparing and presenting many local history-related programs to area groups, almost daily posting of local images and their stories on the HAP page and doing over 400, to date, weekly "Saturday Stumpers" each with their unique "out of the box" set of questions.

Dar mentioned that she especially likes to help host and listen to speakers from Norway, who often visit and then do HAP programs for local folks. She highlighted the past visit with Arne Halvorsen from Vestre Gaudsal, Norway who was featured at a "meet and greet" event as extra special. She further remarked that "History Alive Project" goes the extra mile to bring other outside programs such as the Stoughton High School Norwegian Dancers as well as the former U.S. Ambassador to Norway speaker to add to the rich Norwegian heritage that so many in our area have.

Dar has been and continues to be a faithful fan of Westby High School sports teams during their seasons, showing up at home and away games. She, also, seldom misses the games and horse shows that involve her great nieces and nephews.

When asked why she suggests that others get involved with "History Alive Project," she said that everybody has a life story to tell that often fits in somewhere in our area's history and is worth hearing about and preserving in some way, if the person wants to share. Besides, we sure do a lot of different activities to bring our "History Alive!"

Troll on the move!
07/30/2026

Troll on the move!

NOW YOU KNOW!Another look at some of Westby's past history.Many people have walked or driven by this building on Main St...
07/29/2026

NOW YOU KNOW!

Another look at some of Westby's past history.

Many people have walked or driven by this building on Main Street in Westby. E.C. Evans in 1901 built this building and called it "Hotel Evans." The grand opening celebration for this building was held New Year's Eve in 1901.

It had served as a social hub for the community, hosting events, dances and other gatherings over the decades. At one time, the building had a bowling alley during the forties and fifties with
La Verne Jernander as its manager. Below the hotel was the location of a barber shop, one of many barbershops in Westby.

The "Hotel Evans" was known for its unique architecture, reflecting the local culture and history. The hotel was one of Vernon County's best hotels. It later became the "Commercial Hotel."

Today this building known as the CBC building. The old "Hotel Evans" was as asset to downtown Westby.

Do you have any memories over the years of this old building that you would like to share with our readers?

History Alive Project hopes that these type of posts help you learn more about this community and bring the past back to life.

NOW YOU KNOW!Yesterday, History Alive Project posted information dealing with the Norway House in Minneapolis. Today, H...
07/27/2026

NOW YOU KNOW!

Yesterday, History Alive Project posted information dealing with the Norway House in Minneapolis. Today, HAP would like to tell a little bit of information dealing with the Mindekirken Church in the same City.

The Mindekirken Church is the only remaining congregation in America whose services are conducted primarily in Norwegian. There are, also, services in English each Sunday. It was established in 1922, a time when many congregations were encouraged to worship in English. The founders of Mindekirken felt it was important to honor Norwegian ancestors, maintaining traditions and continuing to worship in Norwegian.

It was on the Day of Pentecost, Sunday, May 21, 1926, when members gathered to lay the cornerstone for the Mindekirken building.

Mindekirken is a place where a Norwegian can celebrate the Norwegian Christian heritage and the faith that gave strength and hope to our Norwegian immigrant ancestors. The Mindekirken is a living memorial to the Norwegian immigrants!

History Alive Project has included a few photos taken of the Church's interior and exterior. If you are in the Minneapolis area, make an effort to see this Church. The windows and ceiling are amazing.

Note the model ship hanging from the Church ceiling. Do you know its history and why many Norwegian Churches have such a ship included in their interior?

It will be truly inspiring and a place of pride for all Norwegians in the decades to come!

Address

Westby, WI
54667

Telephone

(608) 634-3034

Website

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