Aug. 5, 2026
In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States, public libraries across western Wisconsin are inviting residents to explore their local heritage this summer through a unique regional scavenger hunt.
The Winding Rivers Library System (WRLS) is currently hosting its Summer History Challenge 2026, an initiative that spans seven counties and encourages participants to connect local landmarks with library resources.
To complete the challenge, participants must pick up a game booklet at any participating library, visit three historic sites or markers in the region, and summarize the information found at each location. Participants are then tasked with visiting a WRLS library to further research the themes of those sites using a book, movie, article, or other library resource.
Completed booklets must be turned in by Sept. 7, with a prize drawing scheduled for the end of September. Prizes include $20 Kwik Trip gift cards for county-level winners—with one winner selected from each of the system’s participating counties: Buffalo, Jackson, Juneau, La Crosse, Monroe, Trempealeau, and Vernon—as well as a $50 grand prize gift card. The contest is limited to one winner per household.
Participating historic sites highlight regional history themes such as early settlement, African-American history, agriculture, the fur trade, bicycling, Indigenous history, and the Driftless Region’s natural history. Local historical highlights include Cheyenne Valley in Vernon County and conservation efforts in the Coon Creek Watershed.
For an extra chance to win, participants can take a selfie at one of the historic sites they visit and post it to Facebook, tagging the library system.
The Winding Rivers Library System serves 34 public libraries across west central Wisconsin. Game booklets and information on local historic sites are available at all member library branches.
WRLS libraries are in Buffalo, Jackson, Juneau, La Crosse, Monroe, Trempealeau, and Vernon counties.
1. Pick up the 2026 WRLS Summer Challenge booklet from any Winding Rivers library.
2. Visit 3 of the historic sites listed in the booklet. Each site has a historic marker related to it.
3. In the submission form at the back of the booklet, summarize the information on marker of each site you visited.
4. Visit the WRLS library or libraries of your choice and use or view a library item or resource related to the themes of each site.
Bonus Chance to Win! = Take a selfie at one of the sites you visited, post it to Facebook and tag us: @WindingRiversLibrarySystem
Drawing for prizes will take place at the end of September. Last day to get turn in entry forms is September 7th.
Topics/Themes related to the sites
(Click to find suggested titles in our catalog)
Additional Resources (Video)
Coon Creek Watershed- The Cradle of Conservation (River/Waterways)
Mysteries of the Driftless (Driftless)
Into The Driftless (Driftless)
Wisconsin State Park Trails- Perrot State Park (Fur Trade)
Wisconsin Hometown Stories-Juneau County (Settlement, Agriculture)
Wisconsin Hometown Stories- La Crosse (Settlement, Industry, Agriculture)
Aldo Leopold: Learning From the Land (Aldo Leopold, Conservation)
Enduring Families Project (African Americans in Wisconsin)
Buffalo County Libraries
Jackson County Libraries
Juneau County Libraries
Hatch Public Library (Mauston)
Necedah Community Siegler Memorial Library
La Crosse County Libraries
- John Bosshard Memorial Library (Bangor)
- FJ Robers Library (Campbell)Â
- Holmen Area Library
- Onalaska Public Library
- Hazel Brown Leicht Memorial Library (West Salem)
Monroe County Libraries
Trempealeau County Libraries
Hauge Memorial Library (Osseo)
Shirley M. Wright Memorial Library (Trempealeau)
Vernon County Libraries
Knutson Memorial Library (Coon Valley)
Lawton Memorial Library (La Farge)
McIntosh Memorial Library (Viroqua)
Bekkum Memorial Library (Westby)
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