Object Histories

Superior / Object Histories / Industry / Maritime Industry / 1877-1900 / Douglas County / Manufacturing & Trade / Region 1 - North West / Transportation & Tourism / The SS Meteor

OBJECT HISTORY: The SS Meteor

The SS Meteor was launched as the SS Frank Rockefeller in Superior, Wisconsin by the American Steel Barge Company in 1896. The last remaining of only 44 “whaleback” ships ever built, she was designed by a Scottish immigrant named Alexander McDougall. She is 380 feet long, 45 feet wide and 26 feet deep. You may notice that the SS Meteor looks somewhat different…

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October 1, 2017

Oconto / Agriculture / Home Furnishings / Object Histories / Ethnicity & Identity / Everyday Life / Global Connections / Manufacturing & Trade / Oconto County / 1945-1965 / Region 2 - North East / Migrant Worker's Cabin

OBJECT HISTORY: Migrant Worker’s Cabin

This cabin, once occupied by a family of migrant workers employed by the Bond Pickle Company, is located at the property of Thomas and Jamie Sobush of Pensaukee, Wisconsin. The cabin was originally one of many other small cabins, clustered together at the Bond Village Migrant Camp on Van Hecke Avenue in Oconto, Wisconsin. The…

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September 1, 2017

Agriculture / Object Histories / Ephraim / Industry / Clothing, Apparel & Fashion / Door County / Everyday Life / 1945-1965 / Transportation & Tourism / Region 5 - Center East / Cherryland T-Shirt

OBJECT HISTORY: Cherryland T-Shirt

In 1927, Marilyn Färdig’s grandparents, Andrew and Esther Färdig, purchased twenty acres of land in Ephraim, Image courtesy of the Wisconsin Historical Society. Image ID: 79142. Wisconsin, and started a cherry orchard. With the help of their seven children and workers from a variety of locations, including the southern United States, Mexico, and Jamaica, Andrew…

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July 1, 2017

Military History / Object Histories / Ozaukee County / 1848-1877 / Politics & Government / Region 8 - South East / Draft Drum

OBJECT HISTORY: Draft Drum

The hollow metal cylinder sits on the rusted, triangular metal base. A latch and a small hinged door are open, exposing a small square hole where the names of potential draftees could be placed. A thin metal crank protrudes from the center of the cylinder ready to be turned at any moment. This is a…

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June 7, 2017

Milwaukee / Milwaukee County / Food & Cooking / Object Histories / Ethnicity & Identity / Everyday Life / Global Connections / 1900-1918 / Society & Religion / Region 8 - South East / Settlement Cook Book

OBJECT HISTORY: Settlement Cook Book

The first edition of The Settlement Cook Book was published on April 1, 1901 with an original printing of 1,000 copies. Copies not distributed to the settlement’s cooking school students were sold at the Boston Store in Milwaukee for 50 cents each and sold out within the first year. Kander made notes on the recipe for Mocha…

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May 1, 2017

Art, Sport & Entertainment / Kenosha County / Kenosha / Object Histories / Industry / Wisconsin Made / 1877-1900 / Manufacturing & Trade / Transportation & Tourism / Region 8 - South East / Sterling Safety Bicycle

OBJECT HISTORY: Sterling Safety Bicycle

What did a bicycle rider in 1890 look for in a new bike? Safety and comfort, of course, but also beautiful construction—many of the same qualities that contemporary bicycle riders also seek. Sterling Bicycle advertisement featuring Annie Oakley on the safety bicycle, 1890s. The bicycle pictured here was donated to the Wisconsin Historical Museum, where it…

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April 10, 2017