Wisconsin 101

OBJECT HISTORY: Mercedes Herman’s Welding Uniform

At only sixteen years old, Mercedes Herman stepped forward as one of the first Wisconsin women to join the local manufacturing workforce in Door County during the second World War, operating as a shipyard welder at Sturgeon Bay Shipbuilding and Drydock Company.…

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June 10, 2025

Baraboo / New Object Histories / Art, Sport & Entertainment / Object Histories / Music, Theatre & Cinema / Clothing, Apparel & Fashion / 1900-1918 / Sauk County / Region 7 - South Center / Usher Uniform

OBJECT HISTORY: Ringling Theater Usher Uniform

On November 17, 1915, the Ringling Theatre opened in the city of Baraboo, Wisconsin; the newest movie palace in the area at a time, these venues were becoming increasingly popular throughout the United States. Movie palaces were a curated experience, where one…

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July 17, 2024

Dane County / Madison / 602 Club / Object Histories / Clothing, Apparel & Fashion / Ethnicity & Identity / Everyday Life / 1987-2011 / Region 7 - South Center

OBJECT HISTORY: 602 Club T-Shirt

Not all bars make commemorative T-shirts for their closing, like the one pictured here, but the 602 Club was not an average bar. The bar, previously located at 602 University Avenue, was just a short walk from the heart of campus, making…

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November 2, 2023

Indigenous Wisconsin / Aztalan / Pre-1787 / Object Histories / Ethnicity & Identity / Clothing, Apparel & Fashion / Everyday Life / Jefferson County / Region 7 - South Center

OBJECT HISTORY: Aztalan Copper Maskettes

Aztalan Copper Maskettes, 1000-1200 AD. Courtesy: Milwaukee Public Museum Found at the Aztalan archaeological site in southeastern Wisconsin, these small copper artifacts were most likely used as ornate jewelry.[1] Specifically, Mississipian people likely wore the mask-shaped copper designs as earrings. Although Native…

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December 18, 2020

Blanchardville / Object Histories / Clothing, Apparel & Fashion / Curators' Favorites / Everyday Life / Lafayette County / 1918-1945 / Region 6 - South West

OBJECT HISTORY: Permanent Wave Machine

Prior to the twentieth century, a woman with straight hair who desired curls had to spend hours heating curling irons over a flame or sleep with rags and pins in her hair in order to achieve waves. If she could not attain…

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December 15, 2020

Object Histories / Science & Technology / Clothing, Apparel & Fashion / Door County / Sturgeon Bay / 1945-1965 / Science & Medicine / 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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October 10, 2020