ELCHO, Wis. - The Wisconsin Historical Society announces the listing of the Modern Woodmen of America Lodge in the National Register of Historic Places on June 10, 2024. Constructed in 1913, the social hall is located in the town of Elcho, Langlade County.

In 1900, the Modern Woodmen of America was a fraternal organization established for the men in Elcho. It was formed as a mutual-benefit organization to provide death benefits to family members and care for sick members. The purpose was rooted in coming together across religions to help the working class. The name “Woodmen” was inspired by a sermon of clearing forests; however, the organization was composed of plaster workers, newspaper editors, railway station agents, blacksmiths, merchants, jewelers and barbers. In 1910, the ladies auxiliary of the Modern Woodmen was organized and utilized the building. In addition to caring for members and their families, the hall acted as a movie theater and hosted social gatherings until 1932.

The building was subsequently utilized by the Elcho Grange No. 671 until 1966. The organization was founded in Elcho in 1927. They facilitated social opportunities and provided agricultural education amongst its members, including women and children. The Grange held weddings, talent shows, square dances, movies and plays.

The Modern Woodmen of America Lodge was designed in the Boomtown style with wood-frame construction, siding and windows. The primary character-defining features include its Boomtown primary façade with a gabled parapet wall projecting slightly above the front-gable roof. There is a central primary entrance composed of a pair of double-doors and regularly spaced wood-frame double-hung windows throughout the rectangular building. On the interior, the hall features a large open space with a raised stage, wood floors and wood-paneled wainscotting. The simplistic design is reflective of its longstanding use as a fraternal benefit society and grange hall.

Additional information for the Modern Woodmen of America Lodge is available at:

https://wisconsinhistory.org/Records/NationalRegister/NR2790

To learn more about the State and National Register programs in Wisconsin, visit: https://wisconsinhistory.org/hp/register/

About the Wisconsin Historical Society

The Wisconsin Historical Society, founded in 1846, ranks as one of the largest, most active and most diversified state historical societies in the nation. As both a state agency and a private membership organization, its mission is to help people connect to the past by collecting, preserving and sharing stories. The Wisconsin Historical Society serves millions of people every year through a wide range of sites, programs and services. For more information, visit wisconsinhistory.org.