Once the community was established, Luke Stoughton persuaded the railroad to come through the town, rather than a nearby community. Thus, growth was assured. Stoughton became an incorporated village in 1862 and a city 20 years later.

A Norwegian immigrant named Targe G. Mandt founded the first wagon works in1865. His company, from inception through the early 1900’s, became one of the country's largest wagon factories and was responsible for employing hundreds of Norwegians. As his business expanded and the City of Stoughton matured, the community became one of the most Norwegian towns in the United States.

The Stoughton Museum also displays Norwegian crafts of hardanger (needlework) and woodcarving and other plain and fancy needlework.

Displays are also dedicated to our Native American collections and our community members in uniform, from the Civil War era to the present. These periods in Stoughton‘s history are chronicled with may era fashions and uniformed mannequins, diaries, newspapers, pictures and artifacts.

The, museum also features a wonderful collection of antique dolls, and toys, dishes, quilts and many other items from the home of yesteryear. The museum also features early styled furnished kitchen, sewing room, bedroom and parlor, complete with era warderobed mannequins.

Also on display is a 1910 printing press, donated by the Stoughton High School, which includes all of the typeset needed for a turn-of-the-century printing business. Additional displays include a schoolroom, a doctor's, office and a general store with a post office.

A "hot" feature of the museum’s collection is an operational 1925 fire truck built in Stoughton and presented to the Historical Society by the Stoughton Fire Department in 1969.

The picture collection contains large oil portraits of Luke Stoughton, his wife and children, a hand drawn bird's eye views of early Stoughton, depicting Main Street businesses, residences and community places.

These and other Stoughton Museum features can be viewed through our photographic tours.

The Norwegian folk art of "rosemaling" has experienced revival in the United States and particularily in the Stoughton area.

The late Per Lysne, a Norwegian immigrant and Stoughton resident, is often credited for the success of the rosemal revival. His unique talent and technique produced rosemaling of exceptional quality, making him universally famous.

The Museum has several choice examples of Mr. Lysne's work on display, as well as many fine contemporary pieces, chronicling the changes in rosemaling techniques, patterns, colors and paints throughout it’s evolution.

Built in 1913, the Railroad Depot was remodeled in 1923 and again in 1945, only to be closed in the 1970’s. In 1990, the Depot was finally was restored, thanks to the members of the Stoughton Historical Society. It took two years, hundreds of volunteer hours and thousands of dollars in donations, to bring life back to the landmark icon.

The Depot now serves as the headquarters for the Stoughton Chamber of Commerce, a public meeting space and as the annex for the historical society.

Rounding out this active historical site is a display of railroad memorabilia to delight railroad and train enthusiasts of all ages. Also displayed is the Historical Society’s extensive collection of farm tools, industrial Items, cutters and wagons built by the T. G. Mandt and Stoughton Wagon companies. Many of these collector’s pieces are treasure to view and serve to remind us all of days gone by.