Wisconsin 101

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

Art, Sport & Entertainment / Grafton / Music, Theatre & Cinema / Object Histories / Ozaukee County / Manufacturing & Trade / Nature & Environment / 1918-1945 / Region 8 - South East / Paramount Records 78

OBJECT HISTORY: Paramount Records Power Wheel

Located near the heart of Grafton, WI, a rusted power wheel sits on the steep west bank of the Milwaukee River. Despite its corroded appearance, this metal device once powered an entire factory responsible for pressing popular shellac records.The history of this…

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December 29, 2020

Racine / Art, Sport & Entertainment / Music, Theatre & Cinema / Object Histories / Clothing, Apparel & Fashion / Sports & Games / Racine County / 1987-2011 / Region 8 - South East / Racine Belles Movie Costume

OBJECT HISTORY: Racine Belles Movie Costume

This Racine Belles costume was worn in the 1992 film "A League of Their Own." The film focused on the Rockford (Illinois) Peaches, tracking a season in the All-American Girls' Professional Baseball League. The Peaches played the Belles several times during the film.

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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 / Milwaukee / Object Histories / 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

Art, Sport & Entertainment / Pulaski / Music, Theatre & Cinema / Ethnicity & Identity / Related Stories / Curators' Favorites / Oconto County / Region 2 - North East / 1965-1987 / Polka Rhythms Bandstand

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