Wisconsin 101 is partnering with the Wade House to highlight the favorite objects of elementary students who visit. Find out more about our favorite things and explore ways to use them in the classroom.
See if you can spot all of these objects during your visit!
Before the 1850s, Wisconsin did not have roads, at least not ones you would recognize. Most travel occurred on footpaths made by Native Americas or along rivers like the Milwaukee or Wisconsin. As more people moved to Wisconsin, settlers cut thick prairies and forests into roads. These paths would turn into mud when it rained. Travelers had to wait for wet roads to dry or risk sinking into the sticky mud.
In the 1800s, ballot boxes, like the one above, were a popular way to collect votes. This ballot box was useful because it let the voter’s choice remain unknown. This is known as a “secret ballot.”
The muley sawmill was popular between the 1840s and 1910s for its speed and unique design. Instead of a rotating wheel blade, it used an up-and-down saw blade that moved at a rate of 325-375 revolutions per minute. This was important for the people of Greenbush because the demand for logs was high.
In the late 1800s, the Silsby Company created the Pumper in New York. It made the lives of firefighters everywhere easier. It was so effective that some places used it until the 1930s.
Materials for Educators:
The Wade House Mini-Tour was created in partnership with the Wade House State Historic Site. Click on the links below to download PDF versions of lesson plans assembled by Michael DeLeers for each of the objects above.
