Wisconsin 101

“Ringing the Community Belles” – Racine’s Professional Baseball Team

As the United States entered World War II in 1941, the war’s impact on American culture was felt far and wide. Aside from the obvious strains on economic and industrial production, American recreation was temporarily put on hold. This included much of…

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August 24, 2020

Read more about the article <i>Happy Days</i> and 1950s Sentimentality

Art, Sport & Entertainment / Milwaukee County / Music, Theatre & Cinema / Related Stories / 1965-1987 / Region 8 - South East / Happy Days Bowling Shirt Costume

Happy Days and 1950s Sentimentality

Happy Days — the precursor to other famous spin-offs including Laverne and Shirley, Joanie Loves Chachi, and Mork and Mindy — first brought idealized values associated with 1950s middle-class America to television viewers on ABC in a 1971 pilot titled “New Family in Town.” While the network…

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August 15, 2020

Read more about the article OBJECT HISTORY: <i>Happy Days</i> Bowling Shirt Costume

Art, Sport & Entertainment / Music, Theatre & Cinema / Object Histories / Milwaukee / Milwaukee County / Sports & Games / Clothing, Apparel & Fashion / Curators' Favorites / 1965-1987 / Region 8 - South East / Happy Days Bowling Shirt Costume

OBJECT HISTORY: Happy Days Bowling Shirt Costume

This bowling shirt costume from the television series Happy Day speaks to Wisconsin's association with bowling. Milwaukee, where the show was set, was known as the bowling capital of America.

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August 15, 2020

Object Histories / Milwaukee / Milwaukee County / 1877-1900 / Society & Religion / Transportation & Tourism / Region 8 - South East / Old World Wisconsin

OBJECT HISTORY: Badger Wheelmen Pin

During the 1880s bicycling became very popular, and many cycling clubs opened across America. The Badger Wheelmen was a cycling club based in Milwaukee. In clubs, cycling fans could meet and share their love for bicycles. In that era, many people joined social clubs to improve themselves or the world around them. Members wore pins…

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November 1, 2018

Object Histories / Education / 1900-1918 / Waukesha County / Region 8 - South East / Old World Wisconsin

OBJECT HISTORY: Slate

Before chromebooks, iPads, and even lined paper, students still had to complete their assignments. In the past, students did most their schoolwork on a slate. A slate is a small, rectangular blackboard made from slate stone. They had two sides and the edges were wrapped in leather or wood to protect students’ hands. In the…

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November 1, 2018

Art & Design / Art, Sport & Entertainment / Object Histories / Milwaukee County / Milwaukee / 1900-1918 / Politics & Government / Region 8 - South East / Victor Berger Campaign Banner

OBJECT HISTORY: Victor Berger Campaign Banner

Milwaukee teacher and newspaper editor Victor L. Berger was arguably the most successful Socialist politician in the United States. This large poster documents Berger's campaign for United States Senate in a special election in April 1918.

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September 10, 2018