Washburn Cultural Center
The Washburn Cultural Center is dedicated to fostering, presenting, and preserving the cultural, artistic, and historical life of Washburn and the surrounding Chequamegon Bay Region. Washburn’s unique story is preserved and housed in the magnificent brownstone structure known as “The Old Bank Building,” built in 1890 by A. C. Probert. We are dedicated to the preservation of this unique building, whose restoration began in late 1991 and which is listed in both State and National Registers of Historic Places, while also serving as a community gathering place and focal point.
The Washburn Cultural Center building’s first floor now houses a recently redesigned antiques and gift shop, featuring an eclectic collection of fine arts, crafts, and collectibles; our Vinyl Vault, containing a rotating collection of hundreds of rare and limited-edition albums and a selection of acoustic and electric guitars and amps; and two rooms of dedicated art galleries, with monthly rotating exhibitions that showcase local and regional artists. Selected antiques and vinyls can also be purchased on our eBay store at https://www.ebay.com/str/washburnculturalcenter.
Our second floor houses the Washburn Area Historical Society (WAHS) Museum, whose dioramas, photographs, and artifacts depict the people and industries that shaped Washburn. For nearly 40 years, the all-volunteer WAHS has provided a place for local people to donate items of historic significance for preservation to share with the general public. Consequently, WAHS has a sizable, varied collection of historical treasures preserved in our archives.
Our third floor, highlighting artworks from our always expanding permanent collection, can be rented for meetings, receptions, classes, workshops, exhibits, and other events. As a community center, we encourage the rental of our facilities! For inquiries about renting our galleries and/or third-floor community space, please contact us at (715) 373-5591 or WashburnCulturalCenter@gmail.com.
COVID-19 Update (September 2020): For the safety and health of our visitors, staff, and community, the Washburn Cultural Center’s shops, galleries, and museum are currently open by appointment only, and masks are required for entry.
Making an appointment is easy! Appointments are available every Wednesday through Saturday from 1 PM to 5 PM. Simply contact us at (715) 373-5591 or WashburnCulturalCenter@gmail.com letting us know your desired appointment date/time. While we are often able to accommodate last-minute appointment requests, if possible, please provide us with at least 24 hours advance notice.
(Last updated: September 2020)
Ashland Chamber’s Business of the Week for October 28, 2019:
Washburn Cultural Center
Each week the Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce highlights a business on Heartland Communications radio station WATW 1400AM. The Chamber draws a name from our membership and the radio station writes a 30-second ad exclusively for that business.
Click the link to hear the ad: https://www.visitashland.com/files/WashburnCulturalCenter2019.mp3