Beloit, Wisconsin – You’ll be able to dig up some historic adventures using the Beloit Heritage Days Passport as your guide on a history-hunting trek throughout the Beloit area, September 6-8. This year’s theme is “What Beloit Made, Made Beloit, which honors the industries and people that were part of building up Beloit”, with over 12 free events offered by numerous organizations. Highlights include a guided Ironworks Campus walking tour, guided cemetery walk, Beckman Mill tours, encampments and re-creators, historic home tours and much more.
As you delve into the rich and fascinating history of Beloit, you can also earn a free Turtle Sundae from Culver’s of Beloit if you visit at least four events to get your Beloit Heritage Days Passport stamped. Pick up a passport at Nature At The Confluence, 306 Dickop St., South Beloit or Bountiful Beloit, 950 Wisconsin Ave. or download and print your own passport by visiting beloitheritagedays.com.
For further information email therese@natureattheconfluence.com or visit beloitheritagedays.com for a complete schedule of events.
Please see a listing of all events on the following pages.
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Beloit Heritage Days – beloitheritagedays.com
Beloit Heritage Days Events September 6-8, 2024
******************** Friday, Sept. 6 ********************
Discover Beloit and Beyond, Fri., Sept. 8, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Beloit Travel Wisconsin Welcome Center, I-39/I-90 WB/NB-Rest Area 22, Beloit. Did you know that corn curls were invented in Beloit? In honor of that, the Wisconsin Welcome Center – Beloit will have “fresh from the factory” Frito-Lay Snacks available for guests during Beloit Heritage Days. Their wonderful staff point you in the right direction for exploring the Beloit area and beyond!
Fridays in the Park, Fri., Sept. 6, 11:30 am.-1:30pm, State St. & Grand Ave., Downtown Beloit. Enjoy lunch and music in the heart of historic downtown Beloit. $10 for lunch & drink.
Ironworks Campus Walking Tour, Fri., Sept. 6, 10-11 a.m., Irontek, 635 3rd St. In 1858 Orson Merrill established a foundry which later became Beloit Iron Works, and ultimately Beloit Corporation. When the company went bankrupt in 1999, the property was abandoned until businesswoman, Diane Hendricks, and her late husband, Ken, purchased it and began redeveloping it into high-end commercial spaces, renaming it “Ironworks” to pay tribute to the early days of the manufacturing companies that called it home. Join Irontek staff for a walking tour to see how this historic property has been fully reimagined. Registration required at natureattheconfluence.com/ironworks
Beloit Historical Society Open House & Exhibit, Fri., Sept. 6, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Lincoln Center, 845 Hackett, Beloit. Come see a new exhibit featuring the growth and development of industries of Beloit from 1836 -1936. Learn why different industries came to Beloit, the impact they had, and examples of the many products produced over the years. Interactive activities for our younger industrialists will be provided. Other activities will include a book sale and a first look at our raffle quilt. Also held on Sat. 9:00 am. – 4:00 p.m. Free event. www.beloithistoricalsociety.com
******************** Saturday, Sept. 7 ********************
Downtown Beloit Farmer’s Market, Sat. Sept.7, 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Downtown Beloit, State St. and E. Grand Ave. The Beloit Farmers Market is one of the oldest and largest farmers markets in Wisconsin and is located in historic downtown Beloit. Get your stamp at the Downtown Beloit Association’s booth located at the intersection of State and Grand.
Discover Beloit and Beyond, Sat., Sept. 7, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Beloit Travel Wisconsin Welcome Center, I-39/I-90 WB/NB-Rest Area, Beloit. Did you know that corn curls were invented in Beloit? In honor of that, the Wisconsin Welcome Center – Beloit will have “fresh from the factory” Frito-Lay Snacks available for guests during Beloit Heritage Days. Their wonderful staff will point you in the right direction for exploring the Beloit area and beyond!
Cemetery Walk at Oakwood Cemetery, Sat., Sept. 7, 10:00 a.m., 1221 Clary St, Beloit. The City of Beloit Parks and Recreation Division along with the Beloit Historical Society invite you to join John Kalkirtz and John Sabaka for a walking tour of Beloit’s historic Oakwood Cemetery. Meet at the front steps of the Chapel. To reserve your spot call: 608-364-2890.
Fairbanks Morse Defense Tour – Unfortunately, this event is already filled, so we recommend seeing the documentary ”Honor in the Heartland: The Story of the USS Beloit” about Fairbanks Morse and the USS Beloit shown at the Beloit Public Library at 2:00 p.m. September 7. See listing for details.
Beloit Historical Society Open House, Sat., Sept. 7, 9:00 am. – 4:00 p.m., Lincoln Center, 845 Hackett, Beloit. Come see a new exhibit featuring the growth and development of industries of Beloit from 1836 -1936. Learn why different industries came to Beloit, the impact they had, and examples of the many products produced over the years. Interactive activities for our younger industrialists will be provided. Other activities will include a book sale and a first look at our raffle quilt. Also held on Fri. Sept 6, 9:00 a.m. -4:00 pm. Free event.
Bushnell Wheeler House Open House, Sun., Sept. 7, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., 542-Wheeler St., South Beloit, IL. Come tour this beautifully restored home which, at one time, was home to Leonard Wheeler, inventor of the Eclipse Windmill, which later evolved into Fairbanks Morse Corporation. In addition to a restored Eclipse Windmill, you’ll find fascinating displays of the history of the people and industries of the Stateline area. South Beloit Historical Society members will be on hand to give tours and answer questions. Delicious home-baked items, hand-made crafts and interesting books will be available for sale including John Patrick’s fascinating book about growing up in the Beloit area.
Native American Storytelling with Gerald Savage, Sat., Sept. 7, 1:00 – 2:30 p.m., Nature At The Confluence, 306 Dickop St., South Beloit, IL. Gerald is a Tribal elder with the Ho-Chunk Nation. His grandparents, Chief Walks with the Wind and Princess Stands on a Cloud, were very influential in teaching Gerald about native customs and ways. He carries on his grandfather’s tradition of teaching people about their tribal ways and storytelling. Indoor space is limited, so please RSVP at natureattheconfluence.com
Rasey House Tours, Sat. Sep. 7, 1:00 – 4:00p.m., 517 Prospect St., Beloit.
There is no better example of “What Beloit Made, Made Beloit” than the story of why the Rasey House was built in 1850. Beloit’s first citizens were determined to build a college but were short of funds to finish the first building. So, they rallied together to build a home to sell for a profit to help pay to complete it. Come learn about the fascinating history of the Rasey House, which is now owned and maintained by the Beloit Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.
Honor in the Heartland: The Story of the USS Beloit Film Screening, Sat., Sept. 7, 2:00 p.m., Beloit Public Library, 605 Eclipse Blvd. Join us for this free screening presented by Beloit International Film Festival, Beloit Public Library. Fairbanks Morse has built engines that power many of the Navy’s great ships and submarines. Finally, after all these years of defending freedom from the heartland, the United States Navy has recently bestowed the honor of naming a US Naval vessel the USS Beloit. This is the story of the naming, building and christening of that ship, the USS Beloit. This film is especially exciting because the USS Beloit Commissioning Committee has begun its work to celebrate the commissioning of the USS Beloit, anticipated to be later this fall.
******************** Sunday, Sept. 8 ********************
Heritage Sunday at Beckman Mill, Sunday, Sept. 10, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., 11600 S County Rd H, Beloit. Tours of the 1858 Beckman Mill and Cooperage/Museum. Grinding and blacksmith demonstrations, historic trade demonstrators, soldiers representing different eras of war, music, and classic cars will be displayed. Food will be available for purchase. There is no admission for the event, but donations are greatly appreciated. beckmanmill.org, 608-751-1551
Discover Beloit and Beyond, Sunday, Sept. 8, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Beloit Travel Wisconsin Welcome Center, I-39/I-90 WB/NB-Rest Area 22, Beloit. www.visitbeloit.com. Did you know that corn curls were invented in Beloit? In honor of that, the Wisconsin Welcome Center – Beloit will have “fresh from the factory” Frito-Lay Snacks available for guests during Beloit Heritage Days. Their staff will point you in the right direction for exploring the Beloit area and beyond!
