Cable Natural History Museum

Mission Statement: Connecting people to Northwoods nature through educational experiences that inspire wonder, discovery and responsibility.

Vision Statement: We envision a community where everyone considers themselves a naturalist, living life actively engaged in meaningful connections with nature.

History: The Cable Natural History Museum was founded in 1967. The Museum first showcased the art and natural history collections of lifelong Cable resident Lois Nestel, who became the Museum’s first director. Lois was a self-taught naturalist, taxidermist, and artist. The Museum has grown a great deal over the past 50 years. Our programming is geared towards families and adult learners, and includes our annual Master Naturalist training(s), Junior/Little Naturalists summer programming, MuseumMobile school programs, paddling trips, birding trips, foraging programs, live raptor programs, and so much more.

Volunteers are needed in many aspects of the Museum, and are essential to the achievement of our mission! 

As the only natural history Museum in the Upper Great Lakes region, the Museum takes its mission of environmental stewardship seriously. We fulfill this mission through permanent and rotating exhibits on natural history and environmental subjects; scientific collections that are available to the public for study and research; Junior Naturalists programs for children in grades K- 6; Little Naturalists programs for children and their parents; lecture series, classes, and workshops on a variety of nature and environmental topics; field trips to natural areas, including kayaking, hiking and canoeing; contract programs; newsletters/publications from our Naturalists; consultation services in environmental education to schools; and classroom programs annually to 10,000 school children throughout northwest Wisconsin. The Museum provides programming that combines natural history education with youth development because the Museum is a community organization devoted to providing family education. The Museum creates life-long learners who will continue to take part in Museum activities.