The Cadott Area Historical Society Museum
& The Baker School Museum

Displays of toys, music, armed forces memorabilia, medical equipment, home furnishings, kitchen utensils, farming equipment, tools, business machines, a 1935 Ford fire truck with a Darley pump, vintage clothing, and many items unique to Cadott are found in the museum, including the last wooden butter churn to be used in Wisconsin. Atlases, Sagas (the Cadott High School year book), family histories and obituaries, scrapbooks, assorted pictures, and resource books are available in the museum to aid in research of genologies or just to enjoy. Tape recordings of oral history compiled by Historical Society members are in the Cadott Community Library which is located at 331 N. Main Street.  The Museum is open every Monday from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., excluding holidays. Tours can be arranged by contacting Historical Society President Bernard Schwetz at 715-313-3174.

The ZCBJ Lodge #141 was organized on April 17, 1904 as a fraternal association with the sole purpose of benefitting its members.  It became the center of social-humanitarian activities for the Czechs who settled  north of Cadott  in the areas known as Drywood and Crescent. The present Hall was built mostly by donated materials and volunteer labor from these families.  The total construction bill was approximately $900.  The Hall is located seven miles north of the Village of Cadott on Highway 27.

Z.C.B.J. stands for "Zapadni Cesko Bratrske Jednota" which translates to "Western Bohemian Fraternal Association".  As a means of preserving their Czech heritage, the organization provided a support system of social and ethnic activity.  In the early years there were monthly meetings and yearly conventions held there.  A school to cultivate the "mother tongue" and to teach English was begun in 1912.  Plays were held regularly.  Two unique features of the Hall are the stage which remains along with floor-to-ceiling curtains painted in 1931 by Emil Piler for the sum of $157.37.  They have and continue to serve as backgrounds representing the country of  Czechoslovakia.  Audiences enjoyed watching the talents of the gymnastic teams (Sokol) that were organized to help  the young people become physically and mentally strong.  And there were many dances to sounds of polka bands.

On June 14, 1989, the Chippewa County Historical Society designated the Bohemian Hall a Chippewa County historical site. On April 23, 1992, the Hall was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.  

The Hall continues to sponsor activities for members of the Cadott community and surrounding area.   Along with social activities, there is plenty of good food, including Bohemian specialties such as veprove (pork), knedlicky (dumplings), kysane zeli (sauerkraut), jaternice (sausage), kolace (pastries), and pivo (beer).

The Bohemian National Cemetery is located 1/2 mile north of the Bohemian Hall.  It is also listed on the Historical Register.

There are still a few copies of the WFLA/ZCBJ Bohemian Hall Centennial Keepsake Cookbook available for purchase.  The cookbook contains more than 500 favorite recipes, many of which are Czech recipes that have been handed down through generations.  Group tours are available upon request. 

For more information on taking a tour, purchasing a cookbook, purchasing tickets for events, or renting the Hall for a wedding or other activity, you may write the Bohemian Hall at P.O. Box 177, Cadott, WI 54727 or call Jane Moucha at 715-289-3633.