Wisconsin 101

GLO: UW-Eau Claire’s First Gay Student Organization

Gay history in Wisconsin, while often focused on major cities like Madison and Milwaukee, was also being made in the often-overlooked rural parts of the state. One such place is the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire, where a coalition of gay students founded…

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November 2, 2023

Read more about the article The History of Smart Studios

Exterior of Smart Studios at 1254 East Washington Avenue, Madison, WI. Courtesy of the Wisconsin Historical Society, image ID 243309.

Music, Theatre & Cinema / Art, Sport & Entertainment / Dane County / Madison / Related Stories / 1965-1987 / 1987-2011 / Region 7 - South Center / Smart Banner

The History of Smart Studios

Smart Studios, founded by Butch Vig and Steve Marker, was a recording studio located on Madison’s east side. Over its twenty-seven years of operation, Smart Studios was responsible for producing music for both local acts and world-famous artists in the late twentieth…

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July 13, 2022

Viroqua / Music, Theatre & Cinema / Art, Sport & Entertainment / Object Histories / Curators' Favorites / Vernon County / 1965-1987 / Region 6 - South West / 1987-2011 / Smart Banner

Object History: Butch Vig’s Drum Set

When the Beatles performed on the February 9, 1964, "Ed Sullivan Show," teenage girls in the studio swooned and those at home went crazy with excitement. Adolescent boys, however, couldn't keep their eyes off band member Ringo Starr's Ludwig drum kit with…

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July 13, 2022

Read more about the article OBJECT HISTORY: “SMART” Banner by Dennis Nechvatal

“SMART” Banner by Dennis Nechvatal, Madison, WI, 1983. Courtesy of the Wisconsin Historical Society ID #2011.63.2

Art & Design / Music, Theatre & Cinema / Art, Sport & Entertainment / Madison / Dane County / Object Histories / 1965-1987 / Region 7 - South Center / Smart Banner

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

Read more about the article <i>Happy Days</i> and 1950s Sentimentality

Music, Theatre & Cinema / Art, Sport & Entertainment / Milwaukee County / Related Stories / 1965-1987 / Region 8 - South East / Happy Days Bowling Shirt Costume

Happy Days and 1950s Sentimentality

Publicity photo of Fonzie (Henry Winkler) and Richie (Ron Howard) from Happy Days. Source: ABC Uploaded by We hope at en.wikipedia / Public domain Happy Days — the precursor to other famous spin-offs including Laverne and Shirley, Joanie Loves Chachi, and Mork and Mindy — first brought…

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June 2, 2022

Read more about the article UW–Eau Claire History

Old Main - the first academic building on campus is now known as Schofield Hall. This building is located at the center of campus.

Broad History / Eau Claire / Education / Related Stories / Eau Claire County / 1900-1918 / 1918-1945 / Region 3 - Center West / 1945-1965 / 1965-1987 / Council Oak Tree

UW–Eau Claire History

Today, The University of Wisconsin System consists of 11 four-year campuses that educate over 165,000 students. But this extensive institution grew from very modest beginnings. Most of the universities that formed the UW system began as one-building teacher’s colleges, and for the…

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October 5, 2021