The Forest County Historical Museum is located on what is known locally as the “Old Carter House.”  But it had a life of its own prior to being bought by Henry Carter. 

 

The building and property’s history begins with Samuel Shaw, the found of the City of Crandon.  Shaw was the original developer and platted the city.  On July 8, 1902, Samuel Shaw and his wife Louise, sold the property where the museum now sits, to the Rt. Reverend R.H. Weller, John Boyd, and G.C. Hauser, trustees of the Protestant Episcopal Church of Crandon.  The property, Lot 5, Block 4, of Shaw’s First Addition sold for the sum of $175.00

 

By August of 1902, the building was under construction under the guidance of W. E. Laird.  Laird was also the contractor for the old high school and numerous other buildings in Crandon. 
The first services at the new St. Clements Mission, later named Guild Hall, were held in November of 1902 with Rev. G. Babcock presiding.  Anyone who was interested in renting the hall could do so as long as the entertainment presented was “respectable”.

 

In May of 1903, the hall was sold for taxes.  A reorganization of the church took place and it became St. Clements Mission.  Officers of the mission were:  Wardens H.C. Terry and James L. Walsh, M.D.; Treasurer, E.C. Paul and Clerk, G.C. Hauser.  There were about fifteen families who were supporters and members of the mission.  

 

By February of 1912, the property had again changed hands.  A warranty deed was made between the trustees of the church and E.R. Murphy.  The deed was subject to a $600 mortgage.  In 1914, Murphy and his wife Marie gave a warranty deed to the trustees of the church, again subject to a mortgage.  Lack of support caused the failure of the mission by 1910. 

 

In 1919, the property was sold to the Forest County Military Association for $550.  The association held it until 1920 when it was sold to Henry Carter.  Henry turned the hall into a family home.  In 1932, Henry sold the property to Etta A. Carter.  In 1957, it again changed hands when it was bought by Erwin and Marie Poppy.  Marie was the daughter of Henry Carter.  A grandson of Henry’s, Glen Carter, obtained the home from his aunt, Marie.   The property remained in the Carter family until July of 1994 when it was purchased by the historical society.