Adams County Heritage Center

The Adams County Historical Society is currently converting the Gunning-Purvis building of Friendship into the Adams County Heritage Center.  The Center’s focus will be the history of this part of Central Wisconsin. Once completed, the Center will provide archives, a library, museum displays, meeting and office spaces, and a gift shop.  The first floor (office and book store) is currently open to the public, and the Society has great plans for the second floor.

The Gunning-Pervis building was built in 1905 as an office building. Throughout its more than 100 year history it was occupied by several prominent businesses. Most recently it was the home of the Adams County Title Office – owned and maintained by members of the Tuttle family.

The most unique thing about this building is that the interior has always been completely covered with beautiful tin ceilings and walls. Each room on both levels has entirely different sets of patterns. Aside from being decorative, the tin covered walls and ceilings are fireproof. According to the Society this building has some of the finest examples of the tin work of the era! Old photos show that the outside of the building was also originally covered with metal, brick patterned siding.

For a step into the past, visit the Adams County Heritage Center.   The Center is a short walk away from the Society’s historic McGowan House and barn and the Niebull Schoolhouse.

Source: Adams County Historical Society