Rising Star Mill

06/22/2026

We have a strong history of polka music in our area. Learn more about this music style with the newest blog post from the Portage County Historical Society; Polka Music in Portage County!

Every month this year they will share another chapter of local music history. You can find all the following topics in the blog, with more to come!
Bluegrass, old time fiddling, progressive string bands, folk, Native American, country, country rock, rock and roll, and now polka.

Polka has strong roots in Portage County. Check out this blog article to learn the history of the genre and reminisce about great local bands.

06/16/2026

Charlie Parr now sold out! Make sure you don't miss out on the other great concerts coming up at the Mill this summer! Tickets for Joyful Little Band are moving fast and Rucksack Revolution are nearly sold out!

Buy now: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/musicatthemill2025/

06/15/2026

The eastern side of Portage County had many draft registrants for WWI and WWII. In 1940 the John F. Konkol family, pictured here, claimed the county record for number of sons registering! Nine sons registered, passing the Joseph Klawikowski family in Carson, who had eight registered.

The Konkol brothers, shown with their parents, are, left to right, first row: Dennis, 26; Ernest, 21; Chester, 25; Steve, 32; rear row: Clemens, 33; Barney, 34; Casimir, 30; Walter, 28. Edwin, 29, who lives in Menasha, was absent when the picture was taken.

Amazingly, all nine children returned from the war, with most continuing to live in Portage County afterwards.

06/08/2026

Our beautiful summer weather has arrived. Have you been getting outside to enjoy it?

This week, take a look at a postcard from sometime between 1907-1908. It shows the Alban baseball team. Front row is Ted Edminister, Louie Lund, Raymond Halverson, Phil Guerin. In the back row is William Selmer, an unknown individual, Alfred Brekke, Charles Bestul, Henry Larson, and Anton Brekke.

06/01/2026

We hope your summer is filled with wonderful plans. Have you ever camped at Harman's Creek State Park, or fished at Lake Emily?

These aerial photos from 1966 show the park right before the 34 camping sites opened for the season, and show the docks around Lake Emily.

Are you able to help \the Portage County Historical Society preserve and digitize unique photographs such as this? Use the link below to make a donation. Thank you!
https://www.pchswi.org/donate

05/29/2026

Don't miss out on the rest of the summer's concerts! Buy your tickets NOW: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/musicatthemill2025

05/26/2026

The stage is set for tomorrow evening’s sold out performance from Genevieve Heyward! Don’t miss out on the rest of the amazing concerts that are part of the Music at the Mill series. Buy your tickets now: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/musicatthemill2025

05/25/2026

The eastern side of Portage County has strong Norwegian roots. Check out this great photo from the town in Alban in 1948!

Caption from the Stevens Point Journal: Making lefse, Norwegian Christmas treat. Mrs. Harry Hanson, right, and Miss Elise Halvorson, town of Alban neighbors, are shown preparing lefse, a flat potato bread which is an annual Yuletide treat in Norwegian homes. Miss Halvorson is turning a piece of lefse with a paddle made for that purpose by her father, while Mrs. Hanson is rolling out another piece in preparation for baking.

05/18/2026

This week we are looking at an image of boys playing with bows and arrows at Camp Mikquano in 1949.

Camp Mikquano was in Nelsonville, on Lake Elaine. It was run from 1947-84 and is now known as YMCA Camp Glacier Hollow!

Are you able to help PCHS preserve and digitize unique photographs such as this? Use the link below to make a donation. Thank you!
https://www.pchswi.org/donate

05/12/2026

Genevieve Heyward on May 26 is officially SOLD OUT! Charlie Parr on July 22 has low tickets and the rest of the shows are selling FAST. Make sure you don't miss out on your chance to see a show this summer in our historic mill!

Buy tickets now: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/musicatthemill2025