The Wausau Club was founded by members of
the Wausau Group, a group of wealthy lumbermen and lawyers. As the forests of northern Wisconsin were running out, they decided to stay in Wausau and pool their resources and ideas to invest in other ventures. Together they would found Wausau Paper Mills, Marathon Corporation, Wausau Sulphite Fibre,
Employers' Mutual Liability Insurance Company, and Marathon Electric. The group formed in 1901, with by-laws stating that their purpose was to "promote the business interests of the city of Wausau and community and the social enjoyment of the members there of." And they promptly began to plan an impressive clubhouse. The Wausau Club closed in 2004 and the City of Wausau took over ownership. In October 2017, the historic building was turned into a new art museum called the Wausau Museum of Contemporary Art. ==References==