A Digital Museum Created By You
Wisconsin 101 is a statewide, collaborative project exploring Wisconsin’s diverse, interconnected histories through objects. Learn more.
The Latest Objects and Stories
The Crab Tree Special
In the 1890s, mass-produced safety bicycles sparked a bicycle craze across Wisconsin. However, despite the lowered costs associated with mass production, not everyone could afford this new luxury. Walter Atkinson of Ellenboro, Wisconsin, was not going to let a $100 price tag deter him from experiencing the liberating power of bicycle transportation. Tapping into the…
The Evolution of a Swiss Barn
The expansion of Wisconsin’s dairy industry in the 20th century not only altered the economy of the state, but it also influenced the structure of the very barns that housed the bovine champions of the …
Bark Spud
The bark spud is an iron tool used to remove bark from cut timber. Most bark spuds have a steel head with a hard wooden handle. The head is rounded or dish-shaped and has one cutting edge. The sharp wedge on the end of the bark spud slides between bark and wood on a log…
Tell a Story
Propose an Object: Is there an object connected to WI history that you think someone who write a post about? Let us know!
Choose an Object: Interested in writing a post for us, but haven’t yet found the perfect object? Choose one from this list!
Respond to an Object: Ready to start writing? Find instructions and inspiration for your post.
New Videos On Wi101
MUSEUM MINI TOURS
Find out a bit more about the docents’ favorite objects at Old World Wisconsin and the Wisconsin State Historical Museum & download lesson plans for your favorite museums around the state.
Mini tours Lesson plans
In the World & On the Map
“Teaching first-year students Wisconsin history through and with objects allowed for a deep and collaborative investigation of location, identity, and primary source research.”
— Krista Grensavitch, Instructor, UW-Milwaukee