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: Ingersoll-Sergeant Pneumatic Rock Drill

The Ingersoll-Sergeant pneumatic rock drill stands in front of the Rountree Hall Apartments in Platteville, serving as an important symbol of Platteville’s mining history. The drill was manufactured by the Ingersoll-Sergeant Rock Drill Co. sometime between 1888 and 1905. Continued improvements in…

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December 13, 2022

Baraboo / Object Histories / 1787-1848 / Sauk County / Society & Religion / Region 7 - South Center / The Canfield Temperance Case

OBJECT HISTORY: The Canfield Temperance Case

The straw case pictured here was created by Cordelia Canfield in 1844. Cordelia was the wife of William Canfield, a noted local historian and surveyor of the Baraboo, WI area. Canfield’s case is approximately 1 foot long with its cap on and…

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October 4, 2022

Viroqua / Art, Sport & Entertainment / Music, Theatre & Cinema / Object Histories / Curators' Favorites / Vernon County / 1965-1987 / 1987-2011 / Region 6 - South West / Smart Banner

OBJECT HISTORY: Butch Vig’s Drum Set

When the Beatles performed on the February 9, 1964, "Ed Sullivan Show," teenage girls in the studio swooned and those at home went crazy with excitement. Adolescent boys, however, couldn't keep their eyes off band member Ringo Starr's Ludwig drum kit with…

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July 13, 2022

Art, Sport & Entertainment / Art & Design / Object Histories / Dane County / Madison / Music, Theatre & Cinema / 1965-1987 / Region 7 - South Center / Smart Banner

OBJECT HISTORY: “SMART” Banner by Dennis Nechvatal

Not many people would expect that some of the most legendary music of the late twentieth and early twenty first century was made right here in Wisconsin. During its twenty-seven years of operation, Madison’s Smart Studios was a cornerstone of the music…

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June 24, 2022

Military History / Manitowoc / Maritime Industry / Industry / Object Histories / Manufacturing & Trade / Manitowoc County / 1918-1945 / Politics & Government / Region 5 - Center East / Manitowoc's WWII Era Christening Bottle

OBJECT HISTORY: Christening Bottle

Shards of a broken champagne bottle; wrapped in a decorative casing of red, white, and blue fabric; packed with red, white, and blue ribbons inside a 15½” x 5” x 5½” wooden box. This broken bottle was used to christen the USS…

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June 21, 2022

Object Histories / Milwaukee County / Milwaukee / Industry / Wisconsin Made / Manufacturing & Trade / 1900-1918 / Transportation & Tourism / Region 8 - South East / The Harley-Davidson V-Twin Engine

OBJECT HISTORY: The Harley-Davidson V-Twin Engine

When Edward Pennington unveiled the first prototype for what he deemed the “motorcycle” in 1895, inspiration struck the minds of two Milwaukee natives, William Harley and Arthur Davidson. Joined by Arthur’s brother, Walter, the three began tinkering with two-wheelers and eventually designed…

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June 18, 2022

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