The Tomah Area Historical Society (TAHS) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation, study and education of the history of Tomah and the surrounding communities. Exhibits include the personal sketches and effects collection of Frank King (Cartoonist of Gasoline Alley Comic Strips) who was born and raised in the area, the strong agricultural ties of the region, lumber and railroad industries, and the first nations people that knew this valley long before Robert Gillett founded the town of Tomah.

Originally established in 1997 in the old Clothes Post building on Superior Ave in Tomah (Gifted by our founders, Joyce & Frosty Mades) the Tomah Area Historical Society started to collect and share the history of our corner of Wisconsin through a volunteer operated community museum. As our collection grew, so did our mission. We added a full time Museum Director and a Curator, began managing the Little Red Schoolhouse Museum in conjunction with the City of Tomah, and gathered a membership of dedicated volunteers and supporters.

Eventually it was recognized that the museum was outgrowing the building on the old Superior strip, and in 2018 the decision was made to move the collection to our current location at 321 Superior Ave, a few blocks up the street. The former Shutter’s grocery store was spacious and the proximity to the railroad station allowed the museum to become an attraction visited by tourists from across the globe. Now we operate as a fully staffed facility, hosting a genealogical society and research library, and assisting local families and communities in preserving their own histories.

We operate due to the generosity of our visitors and memberships, with some assistance from local grant funds, as well as fundraisers crafted to fill the needs of the community.

Our collection currently occupies two buildings, our main location on Superior Ave which houses our main exhibits and research center, and the Little Red Schoolhouse historic building that we manage alongside the City of Tomah.