Other Resources

Ripon Public Library
120 Jefferson St.
Ripon, WI 54971
920-748-6160

The public library has a local history collection which includes city and county publications, city directories, plat books and a complete copy of the Pedrick genealogy notebook volumes. In addition, it has the local newspaper (under various titles, now the Ripon Commonwealth Press) on microfilm for reference and copying. (Indexing may be incomplete.) Files of local organizations are stored at the Library. The staff may be able to guide you to other local library collections which may be helpful on local history, such as the Oshkosh Public Library local history files.

Ripon Historical Society
508 Watson St.
Ripon,WI 54971
Phone: 748-5354

The local historical society houses the most extensive collection of memorabilia, artifacts and historical resources on the city of Ripon. The Society, relying on dedicated volunteers, is open by appointment for tours and reference and also has frequent open houses and special events and displays.

There is also an Historical Society in nearby Green Lake. The Dartford Historical Society at: 501 Mill St., Green Lake, WI, 54941 Phone: 920-294-6194. Both Green Lake and Ripon have had book-length histories published, which should be available through the public libraries.

Chamber of Commerce of Ripon,WI
301 1/2 Watson St.
Ripon, WI 54971

920-748-6764 The Chamber is an excellent source for both current and historical information on Ripon, including brochures, information about touring the Little White Schoolhouse, where the Republican Party was formed. The Chamber has been active in promoting awareness of the city’s historical background and in using College and city history in current events such as Riponfest. Ripon has a official historical districts in its downtown area and on the college campus.

State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Madison,WI
This collection is an invaluable research resource for local and state history and a good source of photographs on subjects such as Ripon, Wisconsin Phalanx/Ceresco. The student newspaper of Ripon College, longest published paper of that type, is on microfilm at the State Historical Society, along with microfilm records of the Wisconsin Phalanx and much of the content of the Pedrick Collection. In addition, the State Historical Society covers many other topics.