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Lake Mills was a place some called Keyesville and was part of Aztalan Township in early pioneer history. Today Lake Mills is a showcase growing communty with parks on Rock Lake, access to I-94, a historic downtown and other assests. Lake Mills is a place where visitors always return. Aztalan, a name derived from a ancient Aztec tradition, was a Native American village hosting a blending of Mississippian & local culture. It later became a bustling pioneer center, and is now a wonderful memory of the past.
Aztalan Day is the first Sunday in July, 11am to 4pm on the museum grounds. Aztalan Day features outdoor exhibits, music, food & a trash or treasure bargain sale. |
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Members List:
Links Section
President:
Mike Ayers
Secretary:
Cheryl Peterson
Treasurer:
Vera Ranzau
Records Curator:
Dr. Roland Liebenow
Webmaster:
Steven Steigerwald
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Lake Mills Aztalan Museum
Mamre Moravian Log Church at the Lake Mills Aztalan Museum
The newest exhibit building to the museum complex is the Mamre Moravian Log Church. Built originally in 1861 (next to where Riverbend Resort is today) about 6 miles to the north of its current location. The church features some original furnishings and the interpretive displays were built by Moravians. The Mamre Moravian log church was reconstructed on the museum grounds by a group of dedicated local Moravians.
Lake Mills Aztalan Museum Hours: Thur- Sunday 12pm - 4pm, located 1 Mile East of Lake Mills at the corner of HWY B & Q fire # N6284 on Q. Admission charge $3 for a adult, $1 for age 6 to 17, under age 6 free. The museum is open from May 15 thru Sept. 30. The museum is also open Memorial Day and Labor Day. Tours of the Museum for large groups or during days the museum is closed may be made by appointment, call (920) 648-4632 (land line) or (cell) 920-248-9327. The 648-4632 phone number is connected only for our open season, to reach us during our closed season call 920-648-8575.
Hansen's Granary
Hansen's Granary contains a collection of old tools, some used by people from Lake Mills. State Supreme Court Justice Connor Hanson collected the tools and displayed them in the Granary. After Mr. Hanson had passed, Mrs. Hanson donated the granary and tool collection. After a community fund drive Hansen's Granary was moved from South Main Street in Lake Mills to the Lake Mills Aztalan Museum in 1988.
The Old Baptist Church (now a museum)
The old Baptist Church built in 1852 has housed ancient Aztalan artifact collections & data since the museum opened in 1942. Among other items of interest will be the Lake Mills history display, Civil War field desk with letters, & many other items. To learn more about the museum & the other buildings here click on the "More of the Museum" page.
Princess Mound
Museum Location
This stone has been stolen from the Aztalan Museum grounds. To learn more about the stone, click on "Mystery Woman of Aztalan" in the Links Section. Anybody with information is asked to contact us or the Jefferson County Sheriffs Department at (920) 674-7310 or sheriff@co.jefferson.wi.us
Captain Joseph Keyes was born at Putney, Vermont, Nov. 20, 1795, and followed his father's trade, that of a mill-wright. He first came to Wisconsin on a prospecting tour, in June, 1836, he was impressed with the site now called Lake Mills. During the autumn of 1836, he spent some time at Menomonee, north of Green Bay; at this place he dressed the lumber for a house, which he took to Milwaukee on a vessel, in December, and erected a dwelling there which was standing in 1874. In the fall of 1837, he became the founder of Lake Mills, where he built and operated a saw-mill. He subsequently erected a gristmill at Lake Mills and other mills at Cambridge, Dane county. The first school-house in Lake Mills was erected in 1841 by Captain Keyes, who himself employed and paid Miss Rosa Catlin to teach in it. A son of the captain, Simon S. Keyes, was elected the first school clerk, Oct. 7, 1843, upon the organization of the Lake Mills school district. Abel Keyes, the father of Joseph, died in 1843, his being, it is reported, the first white death in the village. Abel was born at Putney, Vt., Sept. 11, 1773, and was largely instrumental in the early advancement of Northfield and neighboring villages. In 1850, Joseph Keyes removed to Menasha, and erected one of the first saw-mills there. He afterwards resided in Madison, until about 1859, when he returned to Menasha, where he was appointed register of the United States land office. The closing years of his life were spent in retirement. He died in Menasha, Sept. 17, 1874, aged 79 years, having been among the most honored and useful of the pioneers of Wisconsin.
Son of Captain Keyes
Excerpt from "The Founding of Lake Mills, A Reminiscent History by Elisha W. Keys"
I remember that once, when I was a boy in Vermont, my father procured an old-fashioned atlas with the apparently unsettled Northwest Territory traced upon it; and, calling my elder brothers about him, pointed with his forefinger on the map to that portion of the Territory which began about the southern point of Lake Michigan and extended there from in a northwesterly direction. He pointed to the mouth of the Milwaukee river; and said he, "Boys, there's where we want to go; that country offers a splendid inducement for settlers. There," said he, "must be water-powers and timber." At this time I was but seven years of age; still I remember the deep interest I took in the conversation and the impression that it made upon my mind.
