The Society will celebrate Sauk County’s first historian on April 9. Since 2001, Canfield Day has been held on or near the birthday of William H. Canfield who was born on April 9, 1819 in upstate New York and died in 1913. During his 93 years, Canfield had many adventures, starting with his trip from New York to Wisconsin in hopes of finding a new home as a 23-year-old with his wife, Cordelia. After their arrival in the Baraboo Valley in 1842 they met the few people who were here. This included colorful characters like Abe Woods, a larger-than-life figure who had a quarrel with Canfield over the lack of an invitation to a social gathering. Canfield kept a journal most of his life which helped him tell the history of the area in the newspaper and in booklets that he published. Canfield also met hundreds of people through his work as a surveyor which took him across Sauk County and he started publishing their stories. Thanks to his printed works we have rich resources about Sauk County’s history.
Canfield Day will be celebrated this year at the Sauk County History Center, 900 Second Avenue in Baraboo on Tuesday, April 9, 2024 starting at 7 pm. A presentation on some of Canfield’s adventures will be given followed by the presentation of the 2024 William H. Canfield History Award.
Each year this award is given to a local individual who has contributed to the field of local history displaying the same passion as William Canfield. The evening will conclude with cake and refreshments.
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