| Rock County Historical Society & Lincoln-Tallman House
Tour the Lincoln-Tallman House, an Italian villa style mansion where Abraham Lincoln was a guest in 1859. Today, the home, located on the grounds of the Rock County Historical Society (RCHS), has been restored and still houses 75% of the original furnishings from the Tallman Family. Also located on the RCHS grounds is the RCHS Visitor Center. It offers exhibit galleries that feature Pauline Pottery and Pickard China and Parker Pen, as well as rotating exhibits celebrating the history and heritage of Rock County and a gift shop. The RCHS grounds offer a variety of options for group activities. Kelch Aviation
Located about 30 minutes west of Janesville, this unique museum showcases World War II era aircraft and automobiles along with related memorabilia. Group tours are priced on a sliding scale, and a gift shop is on site. Wineries & Breweries
Interested in Wisconsin's brewing heritage, or the state's growing wine scene? Treat your group to guided beer flight tastings and themed trivia, or sip your way through area wineries. Groups can choose one experience or split between breweries and wineries to enjoy the best of both worlds. Milton House Museum
The hexagonal-shaped Milton House was opened in 1844 as a stagecoach inn by Joseph Goodrich, and is one of the oldest standing poured grout buildings. It's also the last authenticated stop on the Underground Railroad that can still be toured in Wisconsin. Now a National Historic Landmark, the Milton House also has two Wisconsin Historical Markers on the property - one for the Milton House itself and one for Storrs Lake, where Brigadier General Henry Atkinson and 4,500 soldiers camped overnight in their pursuit of Black Hawk in 1832. Group tours are available year-round. Janesville Performing Arts Center
The Janesville Performing Arts Center's 637-seat theatre, lobby, art gallery, box office, and administrative office are located in the historic Janesville High School/Marshall Junior High School building in downtown Janesville. JPAC offers live music, theater, comedy, improv, dance, and more. Sterling North Home & Museum
Visit the childhood home of Sterling North, an Edgerton native who lived from 1906 to 1974. North wrote such classics as So Dear to My Heart, The Wolfling, and beloved children's book Rascal, an autobiographical story about raising a raccoon in the Edgerton area in the early 1900s. Both Rascal and So Dear to My Heart were adapted to films by Walt Disney. His childhood home and barn have been turned into a museum and literary center. Guided group tours are available May through October or by appointment. There is also a gift shop that features books, clothing and collectibles. Historic Downtown Tour
Explore Janesville's historic downtown, where beautifully preserved architecture and historical markers bring the city's past to life. Along the way, discover unique stories, browse local shops, and enjoy one-of-a-kind dining, including the historic Cozy Inn — recognized as the oldest continuously operating Chinese restaurant in the United States. Depending on the season, groups can also experience the Tallman Arts Festival, Wisconsin's oldest art fair, celebrating artists and makers in the heart of downtown. |
