Wisconsin 101

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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September 9, 2020

Indigenous Wisconsin / Related Stories / Ethnicity & Identity / Door County / Curators' Favorites / 1900-1918 / Politics & Government / 1918-1945 / Region 5 - Center East / Potawatomi Beaded 'Soldier Coat'

Chief Kahquados

Chief Simon Onanguisse Kahquados was the last hereditary descendant in a long line of Potawatomi chiefs, his family being one of the oldest known Potawatomi inhabitants of Wisconsin. An engaging speaker, Kahquados often served as an interpreter and provided a wealth of information to the Wisconsin Historical Society regarding traditional Potawatomi culture and history.

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April 6, 2020

Object Histories / Sturgeon Bay / Door County / Clothing, Apparel & Fashion / Science & Medicine / 1945-1965 / Region 5 - Center East / X-Ray Shoe Fitting Machine

OBJECT HISTORY: X-Ray Shoe Fitting Machine

Intended to help customers get the perfect pair of shoes, X-Ray shoe fitting machines like this one from Sturgeon Bay were popular in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s.

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September 10, 2019

Education / Object Histories / Door County / Society & Religion / 1945-1965 / Region 5 - Center East / Door County Bookmobile

OBJECT HISTORY: Door County Bookmobile

The Door County Bookmobile was the rural public library. In 1950 when the Door-Kewaunee Regional Library Demonstration first brought bookmobiles to the Door Peninsula, nearly 23% of Wisconsinites did not have access to a free library. With many remote towns and islands, a low overall population, poor transportation, and low literacy rates, the Door Peninsula offered an opportunity…

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June 9, 2019

Maritime Industry / Kenosha County / Kenosha / Racine / Manitowoc / Milwaukee / Port Washington / Sheboygan / Two Rivers / Milwaukee County / Door County / Related Stories / Ozaukee County / Racine County / 1848-1877 / Manitowoc County / Nature & Environment / Sheboygan County / Politics & Government / Transportation & Tourism / Region 5 - Center East / Region 8 - South East / Lifesaving Medal

Early Lifesaving Stations in Wisconsin

A Slow BeginningAs maritime commerce grew in the early 19th century, the loss of vessels and crews to shipwreck increased. In 1848, the federal government, through the United States Revenue Marine, established its first lifesaving stations along the New Jersey coast. The system…

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May 21, 2018

Children in Door Country line up to visit the bookmobile. Image courtesy of the Egg Harbor Historical Society.

Creating the Door County Bookmobile

Door County Library Bookmobile service began in 1950 through a Wisconsin Free Library Commission experiment called the Door-Kewaunee Regional Library Demonstration. The Demonstration was developed to explore the possibilities of providing library service to remote areas of the state. This was during a nationwide movement to…

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November 1, 2017