Northwoods Forest History Experience opens in former CCC barracks

The North Lakeland Discovery Center and Manitowish Waters Historical Society have transformed a 1930s Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) building into the Northwoods Forest History Experience, a new attraction designed to be “more than a museum.”

The experience officially opened June 13 and combines artifacts, multimedia exhibits and self-guided exploration opportunities that examine the relationship between Northwoods residents and their forests, from Indigenous stewardship to modern forestry practices.

Located to the right of the main campus at the North Lakeland Discovery Center in Manitowish Waters, the museum is housed in a refurbished 93-year-old CCC barracks.

“It’s an authentic building that was relocated from Palmer Lake near Land O’ Lakes to Rhinelander and eventually to Manitowish Waters. Most recently, we moved it from the YCC camp and turned it into our museum,” said Jim Bokern of the Manitowish Waters Historical Society, who helped develop the exhibits.

Bokern described the CCC as Roosevelt’s “Tree Army,” a Depression-era program that employed young men on conservation projects. Working alongside federal and state foresters, CCC crews fought forest fires, restored fish habitat, controlled erosion and helped reclaim land affected by the region’s logging era.

For Bokern, the project fills a need he noticed while giving presentations about local history.

“Most of the people come up here for the forests and the lakes,” he said. “And I found as I did presentations, there were gaps in understanding the history and the modern use of the forests. To do something comprehensive like this seemed perfect, especially at the Discovery Center.”

The experience

Upon entering the building, Bokern said visitors are greeted by a timeline stretching across three of the barracks’ four walls, tracing the history of Northwoods forests.

The exhibits highlight Indigenous forest use, the logging and cutover era, early conservation efforts, the CCC and YCC, modern forestry practices and the future of forest management.

The museum also features rotating exhibits. The inaugural exhibit, coordinated by Kay Krans of the historical society and the Manito Art League, showcases paintings inspired by historic forestry scenes, logging camps, dams and other Northwoods landmarks.

Additional elements include iPads featuring videos, audio recordings and slideshows, as well as integration with the Clio app, which allows visitors to explore nearby historic sites through self-guided tours.

“Our mission is for them to explore our evolving forest,” said Bokern. “This is not a one-and-done museum stop. You come here, you learn, you choose your own adventure, and then you go out and enjoy your adventure in the field, in the woods or on a lake. We want families to be very much engaged.”

Years in the making

What visitors see today is the culmination of nearly a decade of work.

Bokern said the idea began in 2017, when he and Krans first started discussing the concept.

The project gained momentum in 2019 when the Discovery Center became involved before being delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Following the pandemic, organizers resumed planning, fundraising and exhibit development, eventually raising more than $500,000 for the effort.

Despite the grand opening, work on the museum continues.

“This is like any project — we’ve hit the threshold of the grand opening, but it’s not complete. It’s robust, but it’s not complete,” Bokern said.

Admission to the experience is currently free, and organizers are continuing to develop exhibits while seeking volunteers to serve as docents.

Bokern said the project was made possible through the efforts of numerous organizations and volunteers. Contributors include former YCC campers, counselors and staff; the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources forestry division and the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest; the Forest History Association of Wisconsin; and the George W. Brown Jr. Ojibwe Museum and Cultural Center.

Beyond the museum

For the North Lakeland Discovery Center (NLDC), the Northwoods Forest History Experience represents an expansion of its educational offerings and a return to part of its original mission.

“Our local history has always been a focus at NLDC,” said Tom Joseph, a member of the Northwoods Forest History Experience board. “Now, there’s an entire building focusing on the history of our Northwoods forests.”

Echoing Bokern, Joseph said organizers envision the attraction as a starting point for further exploration of the region’s history.

“Our big idea is to ‘get out and explore our evolving forests,’” he said. “We see the experience as a jumping-off point for visitors to get out and explore our many local historical sites.”

Organizers also hope visitors leave with a deeper appreciation for the Northwoods and its history.

“We hope that they will have a greater appreciation for the rich history of our Northwoods forests and, most importantly, think about what they value in our forests and how those values can help shape the future of our forests,” Joseph said.

The North Lakeland Discovery Center is located at 14006 Discovery Lane, Manitowish Waters. The Northwoods Forest History Experience is open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, call 715-543-2085 or visit discoverycenter.net.