Beloit Heritage Days: September 9-11, 2022

Print your own Passport by clicking here!

This Passport is your guide for a history-hunting trek throughout the Beloit area as you explore over 15 free events and historic sites.

Take this Beloit Heritage Days Passport along and get it stamped at 4 events to earn a FREE Turtle Sundae compliments of Culver’s of Beloit!

To receive your Turtle Sundae coupon, return your stamped passport to CheezHead Brewing, 414 Pleasant St., on Fri., Sept. 9 & Sat., Sept. 10 from 12-11 p.m., and Sun., Sept. 11, 12-6 p.m., or Visit Beloit, 656 Pleasant St., 8:30 a.m -5 p.m., Mon.-Fri, Sept. 12-23.

Passport Perk! $2 off a pint of craft beer at CheezHead Brewing! Show your Beloit Heritage Days Passport at CheezHead Brewing, 414 Pleasant St., Beloit, on Fri., Sept 9 & Sat., Sept 10 from 12-11 p.m. and save $2 on your first pint of their handcrafted brews. Located in the historic Zilley Building.

Bites of Beloit is happening during Beloit Heritage Days! After exploring the history of Beloit, enjoy prix-fixe lunch and dinner menus at a variety of downtown eateries. geronimohospitalitygroup.com/bitesofbeloit.

Make sure to check out our calendar for all of the events taking place throughout the weekend.

Friday, Sept. 9

Open House at Visit Beloit’s new headquarters in the former Angel Museum and St. Paul’s Catholic Church
Friday, Sept. 9, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Visit Beloit, 656 Pleasant St. Come see how Visit Beloit is transforming this historical church into their headquarters. 608-365-4838, visitbeloit.com

Discover Beloit and Beyond at one of the state’s busiest Welcome Centers
Friday, Sept. 9, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Wisconsin Welcome Center – Beloit, I-39/I-90 WB/NB-Rest Area 22, Beloit. 608-365-8344, visitbeloit.com.

Lincoln Center | Beloit Historical Society
Friday, Sept. 9, 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., 845 Hackett St. Beloit. Free admission. Debut of new exhibits, guided tours are available. 5:00 pm – “History Detectives” program given by Donna Langford. 608-365-7835, beloithistoricalsociety.com

“History At The Confluence” Open House
Friday, Sept. 9, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Nature At The Confluence, 306 Dickop St., South Beloit. Stop in to learn about the amazing history of the land at the confluence of Turtle Creek and the Rock River. See “Ke-Chunk Ciporke”, a sculpture by Ho-Chunk artist Truman Lowe and learn about historic Ke-Chunk village. Sample Three Sisters Soup which is inspired by our Native American Heritage Garden. 815-200-6910, natureattheconfluence.com.

Fridays in the Park
Fri., Sept. 9, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., State St. & Grand Ave., Downtown Beloit. Enjoy lunch and music in the heart of historic downtown Beloit. $8 for lunch and soft drink, music by Back 2 Back Acoustic and food by Coco’s Tamales.

If This Land Could Talk
Fri., Sept. 9, 1:00 p.m., Nature At The Confluence, 306 Dickop St., South Beloit. In this free program, you’ll learn about the history of this land and the people that cared for it, revered it, cried for it, dreamed of it, and shaped it over the millennia. Also, visit “Ke-Chunk Ciporke”, a sculpture by Ho-Chunk artist Truman Lowe and learn about historic Ke-Chunk village. Register at natureattheconfluence.com, 815-200-6910.

“Cars” Movie on the Big Lawn
Fri., Sept. 9 (Rain date Sun., Sept. 11), South end of Riverside Park near the Jones Pavilion. Activities and vendors at 6:00 p.m., movie shown at dusk. Join us on Beloit’s beautiful riverfront for this family classic presented by Thrivent Financial. Bring chairs and blankets. Get stamped at the Friends Of Riverfront table. Take a walk on the Beloit Heritage Walkway at the Harry C. Moore Pavilion. friendsofriverfront.com

Saturday, Sept. 10

Downtown Beloit Farmers’ Market
Saturday, Sept. 10, 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Downtown Beloit, State St. and E. Grand Ave. The Downtown 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 at one of the state’s busiest Welcome Centers
Saturday, Sept. 10, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Wisconsin Welcome Center – Beloit, I-39/I-90 WB/NB-Rest Area 22, Beloit. 608-365-8344, visitbeloit.com

Hanchett-Bartlett Homestead | Beloit Historical Society
Sat., Sept. 10, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., 2149 St. Lawrence Ave., Beloit. 60 Year Celebration! Explore the 1857 house and barn with a guided tour. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy lawn games and a craft activity for kids. Information on historic preservation will be available with the one-room schoolhouse featured. 608-365-7835, beloithistoricalsociety.com

Cemetery Walk at Oakwood Cemetery
Sat., Sept. 10, 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 historical Oakwood Cemetery. Meet at the front steps of the Chapel. To reserve your spot call: 608-364-2890 by Tue., Sept. 6

Bushnell Wheeler House Open House
Sat., Sept. 10, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., 542 Wheeler St., South Beloit, IL. Historical Society members will be on hand to give tours of this beautifully restored home and answer questions. Handmade crafts and eight Beloit history books will be for sale, including “One More Look Back” by John Patrick. bushnellwheelerhome.com

Big Hill Explorations with Welty Environment Center
Sat., Sept. 10, 10:00 a.m.– 4:00 p.m., 1201 Big Hill Ct., Beloit. Take a hike along the winding trails to learn about the park’s nearly 100-year-old history from new interpretive signs. Then stop in Big Hill Center to visit Welty’s new interactive exhibit: “Real People, Real Climate, Real Changes”. Families can stop in the program room for activities and a story time will be held at 1 p.m. Also will be held Sept. 11.

Fireside With A Fur Trader
Sat., Sept. 10, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m., Nature At The Confluence, 306 Dickop St., South Beloit. Join us by the fire to learn about the fur trade from “Huna Mato”, owner of HM Trading Post. Huna will have a trade bead display, and an animal skull and fur display. Great for kids! Try a sample of Three Sisters soup which is inspired by our Native American Heritage Garden; Learn about Joseph Thibault, the fur trader that lived at the confluence of Turtle Creek and Rock River. Come anytime between 1-3 p.m. 815-200-6910, natureattheconfluence.com.

Sunday, Sept. 11

Big Hill Explorations with Welty Environment Center
Sun., Sept. 11, 10:00 a.m.– 4:00 p.m., 1201 Big Hill Ct., Beloit. Take a hike along the winding trails to learn about the park’s nearly 100-year-old history from new interpretive signs. Then stop in Big Hill Center to visit Welty’s new interactive exhibit: “Real People, Real Climate, Real Changes”. Families can stop in the program room for weather-related activities and a story time will be held at 1 p.m. Also will be held Sept. 10.

Discover Beloit and Beyond at one of the state’s busiest Welcome Centers
Sun., Sept. 11, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Wisconsin Welcome Center – Beloit, I-39/I-90 WB/NB-Rest Area 22, Beloit. 608-365-8344, visitbeloit.com

Detecting the Past – Metal Detecting Adventure for Kids
Ages 7+, Sun., Sept. 11, 1:00 p.m. Dig with us into the history of the confluence land and waters and find out about the people and animals who lived here and learn what traces they’ve left behind. We’ll touch and learn about fossilized animal bones and ancient tools. T hen we’ll head out on an exploration with our metal detectors to see what treasures we can find. $5 per child. Limited spaces, pre-registration is required at natureattheconfluence.com, 815-200-6910.

Heritage Sunday At Beckman Mill
Sun., Sept. 11, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., 1 1600 S. County Rd H, Beloit. Mill tours, broom making, blacksmithing, wood carvers, basket weavers, horse drawn wagon rides, Civil War soldiers, WWII and Vietnam living history displays, collector cars. Kids activities: butter making, potato digging, blacksmithing and corn shelling. 608-751-1551, beckmanmill.org

Heritage Sunday is an annual event at Beckman Mill County Park, six miles west of Beloit. At the park, you will see an authentically restored 1868 grist mill, a dam, mill pond, fish ladder, and foot bridge. In addition, there is a saw mill display, 1840s cooperage, visitor center, gift shop, creamery, blacksmith shop, picnic shelter, vintage garden, and nature trail.

Heritage Sunday features a variety of demonstrations including: broom making, blacksmithing, wood carving, basket weaving, and more.

In addition to demonstrations, there is live music such as, concertina, violin, and banjo playing.

The museum and gift shop will be open, and there are special activities for kids including: butter making, digging for potatoes, blacksmithing, and corn shelling. Attendees can also enjoy horse drawn wagon rides and interacting with Civil War soldiers. There are also WWII and Vietnam living history displays, collector show cars, and other attractions.

Food and beverages will be for sale including, soda, water, and desserts. There is no admission charge, but donations are appreciated to help the Friends of Beckman Mill to continue their 30 year endeavor to maintain the buildings and educate about bygone times.

History of Beckman Mill

The showpiece of the park is the Beckman Mill, the restoration of which was completed in 1997 by the Friends of Beckman Mill’s volunteer work crew. It is operational with power being supplied by its original 1860s water driven Leffel turbine. In the event alternate power is needed, the mill can be operated by its vintage two-cylinder gasoline engine.

Tours are available Saturdays and Sundays May through September.

Beckman Mill Park
11450 S. Cty. Hwy. H, Beloit
P: (608) 757-5451
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