Wisconsin 101

OBJECT HISTORY: Norwegian Genealogical Plaque

Created in 1879, this beautiful plaque features the genealogy of Sara Magelssen's family, including the story of her and her husband's immigration to Wisconsin in the 1860s.

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July 1, 2019

Art, Sport & Entertainment / Art & Design / 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

Art, Sport & Entertainment / Art & Design / Object Histories / Lake Koshkonong / Sports & Games / Wisconsin Made / A Duck Decoy / Jefferson County / 1877-1900 / Nature & Environment / Region 7 - South Center

OBJECT HISTORY: A Duck Decoy

With its painted black bill, brown head, and white and black body, it is likely obvious to humans that this object is made out of wood. This object is called a duck decoy, and was intended to fool other ducks into settling…

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July 1, 2018

Art, Sport & Entertainment / Home Furnishings / Art & Design / Related Stories / 1877-1900 / 1900-1918 / Wilson Place Door

The Arts & Crafts Movement

Wisconsin’s Stout Institute is a major landmark of educational innovation in state history. With its emphasis on creativity as well as vocational preparation, the school was greatly influenced by the Arts and Crafts Movement, then a major force in artistic, cultural, and progressive political…

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March 7, 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 & Design / Art, Sport & Entertainment / Home Furnishings / Object Histories / Langlade County / Ethnicity & Identity / Everyday Life / 1918-1945 / Region 2 - North East / Society & Religion / CCC Pillow Sham

OBJECT HISTORY: CCC Pillow Sham

Created in 1933, this commemorative pillow sham was just one of a number of textiles created by second-generation Hungarian immigrant Rose Mary Drab to honor her brother Edward’s service in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). Rose Mary appliquéd the black cotton sateen sham with a small cotton tent, a blue eagle and two small stars, and hills, pine…

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October 1, 2015