New Welcome Center Vestibule Open to Residents, Visitors
April 14, 2021
Author:
Kevin Passon
Source:
Antigo Daily Journal
The sign noting the location of the welcome center in downtown Antigo
was recently installed on the front lawn of the Langlade County Historical Society Museum, 404 Superior St.
Welcome to Antigo and Langlade County.
Whether you’re a longtime resident, newcomer or visitor, you’ll find something new to do or some corner of the county you didn’t know about when you visit the new welcome center at the Langlade County Historical Society Museum, 404 Superior St.
This new welcome center is a partnership involving the historical society, the Antigo Hotel/Motel Commission, and the Langlade County Economic Development Corporation (LCEDC).
“It was an opportunity to utilize the new addition (at the museum) and have a beautiful welcome center for our guests and residents of Langlade County that come to the museum to enjoy the train and history,” said Angie Close, executive director of the LCEDC. “It is a great addition to the museum and is right in the heart of our beautiful downtown, a perfect setting.”
The train is the 440 locomotive, constructed in 1900 and a close relative of the Chicago and Northwestern 175, the last steam engine to travel through Antigo in 1957. The train was purchased by the historical society in 2005 and restored for public display over the next 18 months.
The doors to the welcome center are near the train. The vestibule is open now and provides 24-hours-a-day access to fliers, brochures and booklets packed with information on outdoor recreation opportunities in Langlade County.
Close said the welcome center itself is set to open Memorial Day weekend with a grand opening set for June 12, to tie in with the celebration of a reconstructed Fifth Avenue and other downtown improvements.
Once fully open, the welcome center hours are expected to be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Wednesdays, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Hours will be adjusted as necessary, Close said.