Wisconsin 101

The Wolf River

Todd Sheldon first discovered the virtues of the Mepps Aglia spinner and later realized improvements afforded by a tuft of squirrel tail while fishing at one of his favorite spots: the Wolf River. Today the Wolf continues to be a destination for sports…

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May 24, 2018

Military History / Broad History / Related Stories / Politics & Government / Old Abe, the Live War Eagle

Old Abe’s Visual Legacy

Old Abe began his career as a real, live eagle, serving as a mascot during the Civil War. In the decades that followed, the Grand Army of the Republic brought the bird on tours around the country. In the many years since Old Abe’s…

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May 24, 2018

Industry / Fur Trade / Green Bay / Pre-1787 / Brown County / Related Stories / Le Maire Sundial / Global Connections / Manufacturing & Trade / Politics & Government / Society & Religion / Region 5 - Center East

French Wisconsin at Fort la Baye

French explorers, voyageurs (fur traders), Jesuit priests, and other settlers began arriving in the Upper Great Lakes region of North America in the mid-1600s. Jean Nicolet supposedly landed near present-day Green Bay, Wisconsin in 1634, naming the waterway La Baye des Puants, literally “Bay of…

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May 24, 2018

Maritime Industry / Kenosha / Kenosha County / Milwaukee / Manitowoc / Racine / Two Rivers / Port Washington / Milwaukee County / Sheboygan / Door County / Ozaukee County / Related Stories / Racine County / 1848-1877 / Manitowoc County / Nature & Environment / Sheboygan County / Politics & Government / Region 5 - Center East / Transportation & Tourism / Region 8 - South East / Lifesaving Medal

Early Lifesaving Stations in Wisconsin

A Slow BeginningAs maritime commerce grew in the early 19th century, the loss of vessels and crews to shipwreck increased. In 1848, the federal government, through the United States Revenue Marine, established its first lifesaving stations along the New Jersey coast. The system…

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May 21, 2018

Military History / Health & Medicine / Appleton / Education / Related Stories / 1848-1877 / Outagamie County / Politics & Government / Science & Medicine / Region 5 - Center East / Cupping Kit

Dr. James T. Reeve

The owner of this particular cupping kit was Dr. James T. Reeve. Dr. Reeve was born near Goshen, New York, on April 26, 1834. Despite losing his father at age five and his mother five days before graduating medical school, J.T Reeve received his…

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May 3, 2018

Read more about the article OBJECT HISTORY: Lapham Peak Observation Tower

Lapham Peak Observation Tower. Photo credit: Cole Roecker.

Delafield / Object Histories / Nature & Environment / Waukesha County / Politics & Government / Society & Religion / 1918-1945 / Region 8 - South East / Lapham Peak Observation Tower

OBJECT HISTORY: Lapham Peak Observation Tower

At first glance, you might recognize this iconic Southeastern Wisconsin tower. Yet, under its wooden beams lies a rich foundation of Wisconsin’s history, including one of the state’s first scientists and a state agency responsible for construction works you probably use everyday.…

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February 9, 2018