Wisconsin 101

OBJECT HISTORY: John Fox Potter’s “Monster Knife”

Measuring over six feet in length and weighing thirty-two pounds, this gigantic folding knife belonged to Wisconsin representative John Fox “Bowie Knife” Potter who was famous as a dedicated abolitionist and infamous for his willingness to use physical force on the United…

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October 29, 2024

Hawks Inn / New Object Histories / Delafield / Object Histories / 1787-1848 / 1848-1877 / Waukesha County / Politics & Government / Transportation & Tourism / Region 8 - South East

OBJECT HISTORY: Hawks Inn

Standing at two-and-a-half stories, with a side-gabled roof and paired end chimneys, and painted white with black shutters, the image of Hawks Inn would have filled travelers with hope and relief during their trek along the stagecoach route from Milwaukee to Madison,…

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September 25, 2024

Slaske's Tools / Greendale / New Object Histories / Milwaukee County / Object Histories / Manufacturing & Trade / Politics & Government / 1918-1945 / Society & Religion / Region 8 - South East

OBJECT HISTORY: Jack Slaske’s Tool Set

In the holdings of the Greendale Historical Society is an unassuming set of tools, comprised of hand saws, planes, braces and drill bits, among other items. Though these were mass manufactured and similar tools exist all across the country, these particular tools…

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August 14, 2024

Music, Theatre & Cinema / Usher Uniform / Baraboo / New Object Histories / Art, Sport & Entertainment / Object Histories / Clothing, Apparel & Fashion / Sauk County / 1900-1918 / Region 7 - South Center

OBJECT HISTORY: Ringling Theater Usher Uniform

Usher's Uniform Coat, from the collection of the Sauk County Historical Society.Usher's Uniform Pants, from the collection of the Sauk County Historical Society.Usher's Uniform Hat, from the collection of the Sauk County Historical Society. On November 17, 1915, the Ringling Theatre opened…

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July 17, 2024

Wooden Curling Stone / Sports & Games / Lodi / New Object Histories / Columbia County / Art, Sport & Entertainment / Object Histories / 1877-1900 / Region 7 - South Center

OBJECT HISTORY: Wooden Curling Stone

A stone slides across the ice as millions of people hold their breath. Furiously, two men sweep their brooms across the ice, attempting guide the hurdling block of granite to its destination. The stone slows to a crawl, hovering across the slick…

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June 20, 2024

Ellison Bay / Fish Boil Kettle / New Object Histories / Object Histories / Food & Cooking / Door County / 1945-1965 / Region 5 - Center East / Transportation & Tourism

OBJECT HISTORY: Fish Boil Kettle

This fish boil kettle from the Wisconsin Historical Museum collection, was donated by the Viking Grill in 2010. The two handled baskets sit inside a cauldron which was originally manufactured as a drum for a washing machine. Door County may be the…

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April 10, 2024