Wisconsin 101

Pulaski – A Polka Town

Pulaski, like some Wisconsin communities, possesses a disproportionate number of polka bands, and some have boasted that the town of 3000 has more bands per capita than even Nashville. The strongly Polish community located just outside of Green Bay is still a thriving locale for the polka tradition.

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May 18, 2020

Art, Sport & Entertainment / Music, Theatre & Cinema / Ethnicity & Identity / Related Stories / Curators' Favorites / Global Connections / 1945-1965 / 1965-1987 / Polka Rhythms Bandstand

Polka’s Popularity in the United States

After World War II, polka made its first mainstream American appearance thanks to Cleveland, Ohio’s celebrated “Polka King,” Slovenian-American Frankie Yankovic. The genre remains popular today, especially with the older crowd in the Midwest.

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May 17, 2020

Agriculture / Food & Cooking / Beloit / Industry / Related Stories / Everyday Life / Manufacturing & Trade / Rock County / 1918-1945 / 1945-1965 / Science & Medicine / Region 7 - South Center / Clair Mathews' Feed Grinder

From Cow Feed to Korn Kurl

By the mid-1930s, the Flakall Corporation was trying to build up a customer base for its machine, a version of the feed grinder initially designed and built by Clair Mathews. But, as it turned out, the machine would end up being more useful for snack food manufacturers than farmers.

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September 23, 2019

La Crosse / Dane County / Madison / Ethnicity & Identity / Related Stories / 1848-1877 / Global Connections / La Crosse County / Society & Religion / Region 3 - Center West / Region 7 - South Center / Norwegian Genealogical Plaque

The Emigranten and Other Norwegian-Language Papers

Throughout the 19th century, Wisconsin was home to dozens of foreign-language newspapers representing cultures from throughout Europe. These papers provided opportunities to create connections in America, maintain homeland networks, and keep current with news in their native language.

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July 1, 2019

Broad History / Ethnicity & Identity / Related Stories / Global Connections / Society & Religion / Norwegian Genealogical Plaque / Norwegians

Norwegian Women Immigrants

Norwegian women played a vital role in the agricultural and social lives of rural communities. Spurred by a cultural acceptance of work, women on the farm took on both domestic chores and contributed to the family’s economy through production of food and material goods.

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July 1, 2019

Broad History / Ethnicity & Identity / Related Stories / Global Connections / Society & Religion / Norwegian Genealogical Plaque

Norwegian Communities in Wisconsin

When Norwegian immigrants like Kristian Magelssen came to Wisconsin in the 1860s, they found an incredibly active Norwegian Lutheran Church. Comprised of fourteen distinct synods often divided by theology, these institutions provided a foundational compass for constructing and maintaining a sense Norwegian…

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July 1, 2019