James Huff Stout Lantern Walk - December 8th

James Huff Stout Remembrance Lantern Walk

Monday, December 8, 2025 • 4:30–6:30 PM

Begins at the Wilson Place Museum • Menomonie, WI

Join us for an evening of light and reflection as Menomonie honors the legacy of James Huff Stout — the visionary who shaped our city through education, innovation, and civic service.

Together, we’ll walk by lantern light from the Wilson Place Museum through the UW–Stout campus he helped create. Along the route, participants will pause at five narration stations, where we will share stories of Stout’s life, legacy, and the lasting impact of his vision.

The City of Menomonie has officially proclaimed December 8th as James Huff Stout Remembrance Day, recognizing his extraordinary contributions to education and civic life. This annual observance celebrates the enduring light of one individual whose vision continues to inspire our community.

Why We Honor James Huff Stout on December 8th (from the Wilson Place Mansion Facebook page)

On December 8th, 1910, James Huff Stout passed away—leaving behind a legacy that continues to shape Menomonie more than a century later. We gather on this date each year to remember his vision, his generosity, and the lasting institutions he helped build.

We walk in winter for a reason. Stout’s wealth—and the resources he reinvested into education, libraries, civic projects, and opportunities for the people of Menomonie—came from the Knapp, Stout & Co. Company. This lumber operation didn’t stop for the cold. From November through April, crews harvested timber through snow, ice, and freezing temperatures. Their year-round labor built the foundation of our community.

Our Lantern Walk honors both parts of that story:

• Stout, whose belief in education and civic progress still illuminates Menomonie today.

• The workers, whose winter labor made his vision possible.

  
  

Even as the snow piles up today, we’re staying hopeful for a mild evening on December 8th. The lumber crews worked through winters far worse than this—but we’d still prefer not to reenact every part of their experience.

How to Support the Lantern Walk

If you’d like to help light the way, learn more about the walk or make a donation for lanterns : https://wilsonplace.org/lanternwalk/

Your support helps keep this community tradition free, safe, and meaningful for all.

When we walk together, together we shine.

This free, family-friendly event is open to all. Please check the Wilson Place Facebook Page for more information.

From the Wilson Place Mansion Facebook page.