Wisconsin 101

Victor Berger and the Sewer Socialists

Victor Berger, one of the "Sewer Socialists," became the first Socialist to serve in the United States House of Representatives, winning the election in Wisconsin’s 5th congressional district in 1910.

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September 10, 2018

La Crosse / Object Histories / Ethnicity & Identity / Clothing, Apparel & Fashion / Everyday Life / Global Connections / A Hmong Baby Sash / La Crosse County / Politics & Government / 1965-1987 / Region 3 - Center West

OBJECT HISTORY: A Hmong Baby Sash

We are surrounded by objects that seem very ordinary, but once we look closer, they often reveal deep connections to the history of our state and our communities. In this Object History, Pao Vue writes about the thread-bare baby sash he found in his mother’s room that, it turns out, once saved his life and…

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July 15, 2018

Agriculture / Oconto / Related Stories / Ethnicity & Identity / Global Connections / Manufacturing & Trade / Oconto County / 1945-1965 / Region 2 - North East / Politics & Government / 1965-1987 / Society & Religion / Migrant Worker's Cabin

Wisconsin’s Migrant Housing Laws

Before World War II, most of the migrant workers in Wisconsin’s pickle fields were single young men, and pickle companies provided housing for workers in large dormitories. After World War II, however, farmers began to hire more families to harvest pickles in…

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September 1, 2017

Agriculture / Industry / Food & Cooking / Ethnicity & Identity / Related Stories / Door County / Global Connections / Manufacturing & Trade / Nature & Environment / 1918-1945 / 1945-1965 / Politics & Government / Transportation & Tourism / Region 5 - Center East / Cherryland T-Shirt

Migrant Labor and Door County Cherries

Early Door County cherry orchards relied heavily on local workers, and all members of the family that owned a cherry orchard were expected to contribute. From the planting process, spraying of fungicides, pruning, and finally cherry picking, each cherry tree required a…

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July 1, 2017

Military History / Object Histories / Ozaukee County / 1848-1877 / Politics & Government / Region 8 - South East / Draft Drum

OBJECT HISTORY: Draft Drum

The hollow metal cylinder sits on the rusted, triangular metal base. A latch and a small hinged door are open, exposing a small square hole where the names of potential draftees could be placed. A thin metal crank protrudes from the center of the cylinder ready to be turned at any moment. This is a…

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June 7, 2017

Military History / Ozaukee County / Related Stories / 1848-1877 / Politics & Government / Region 8 - South East / Draft Drum

Kemp Trial

One ringleader of the 1862 Ozaukee County Riot was Nicholas Kemp, an immigrant from Luxemburg, Germany, and blacksmith by trade, who had emigrated to America in 1846. At the time of the riot he was in the general mercantile business.In the days following the…

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June 7, 2017