Wisconsin 101

Enjoy a browse through Wisconsin 101’s collection of object histories. Click on the “Read More” button to view the full story and its accompanying related histories or explore the categories listed above each object history to learn more about certain themes, periods of time, and Wisconsin locales.

OBJECT HISTORY: Old Abe, the Live War Eagle

A bald eagle stands guard over the State Assembly Chamber in Wisconsin’s Capitol building. Between two and three feet tall, the raptor has the characteristic white head and tail feathers, a brown body, and a yellow beak and talons. He sits atop a tree stump in front of a large mural called Wisconsin that represents the state’s…

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March 10, 2017

Green Bay / Brown County / Pre-1787 / Object Histories / Global Connections / Science & Medicine / Region 5 - Center East / Le Maire Sundial

OBJECT HISTORY: Le Maire Sundial

The Le Maire Sundial is a rare example of a mid-18th century French sundial (cadran solaire) compass (boussole). It was found near Green Bay in 1902 by a local antiquities collector, Frank Duchateau. The sundial is broken, missing its glass compass cover as well as the back of its gnomon holder. Located on the front surface,…

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December 9, 2016

Health & Medicine / Wausau / Object Histories / Science & Technology / Marathon County / 1945-1965 / Society & Religion / Science & Medicine / Region 4 - Center / Employers Mutual Audiometer

OBJECT HISTORY: Employers Mutual Audiometer

This Maico Audiometer was one of many devices used by health and safety consultants of the Employers Mutual Liability Insurance Company of Wisconsin throughout the mid-to-late 1960s. Employers Mutual was the very first workers compensation insurance company in the United States. The company was founded in Wausau, Wisconsin, in 1911 shortly after the nation’s first workers compensation law was…

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November 9, 2016

Racine / Dairy Industry / Health & Medicine / Industry / Food & Cooking / Object Histories / Wisconsin Made / Racine County / Everyday Life / 1848-1877 / Manufacturing & Trade / Science & Medicine / Region 8 - South East / Horlick's Malted Milk

OBJECT HISTORY: Horlick’s Malted Milk

Invented in 1873 by British food manufacturer William Horlick, malted milk is made from wheat and malted barley extract mixed with reduced, dry whole milk.

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October 1, 2016

Art, Sport & Entertainment / Menomonie / Art & Design / Object Histories / Education / Dunn County / 1877-1900 / Region 3 - Center West / Wilson Place Door

OBJECT HISTORY: Wilson Place Door

The Wilson Place Mansion front door was crafted at the turn of the twentieth century, likely by a well-known Arts and Crafts Movement blacksmith named Thomas F. Googerty. Wilson Place Mansion was the home of James Huff Stout, a lumber baron, longtime state senator, and philanthropist. Area tradition has it that the door was fashioned to honor Stout,…

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March 7, 2016

Art, Sport & Entertainment / Antigo / Object Histories / Langlade County / Sports & Games / Wisconsin Made / Global Connections / Manufacturing & Trade / 1945-1965 / Region 2 - North East / Vulcan Bowling Pin

OBJECT HISTORY: Vulcan Bowling Pin

This bowling pin was produced by the Vulcan Corporation in Antigo, Wisconsin, sometime in the late 1950s after Vulcan had introduced its patented “Nyl-Tuf Supreme” plastic coating (as indicated by the pin’s red label).

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February 1, 2016

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