Wisconsin 101

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

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 / Madison / Dane County / 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

Read more about the article Garbage’s Origins in Madison

Garbage band members (pictured left to right) Steve Marker, Butch Vig, Shirley Manson, and Duke Erikson. Courtesy of the Wisconsin Historical Society, image ID 93605.

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

Garbage’s Origins in Madison

Out of all the bands and musicians who have roots in Wisconsin’s capitol city, Garbage is perhaps one of the most successful products of the Madison music scene, having sold more than seventeen million albums worldwide over the course of their career.Garbage…

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July 13, 2022

Music, Theatre & Cinema / Viroqua / 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: Council Oak Tree Bench

The Historic Council Oak Tree Bench housed in the McIntyre Library on UW Eau Claire's campus. Photo courtesy of Greg Kocken.

Eau Claire / Home Furnishings / Object Histories / Education / Ethnicity & Identity / Everyday Life / Eau Claire County / Nature & Environment / Region 3 - Center West / 1987-2011 / Council Oak Tree

OBJECT HISTORY: Council Oak Tree Bench

Dating from the early 1800’s, the Council Oak Tree, planted in Eau Claire stood for over 150 years with little to no disturbance. However, on July 10, 1966, a summer storm blew through the city and lightning struck the tree, leaving a…

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October 1, 2021

Read more about the article Manhole Cover Designs and Contemporary Aesthetics

City of Madison Manhole Cover. Photo courtesy of Keith Kaziak, 2020.

Art & Design / Industry / Art, Sport & Entertainment / Neenah / Related Stories / Everyday Life / 1848-1877 / Manufacturing & Trade / Winnebago County / Region 5 - Center East / 1965-1987 / 1987-2011 / 2011-Today / Neenah Foundry Manhole Cover

Manhole Cover Designs and Contemporary Aesthetics

Over the past 45 years, there has been a growing worldwide fascination and appreciation for the beauty and craftsmanship of manhole covers. Some enthusiasts even created a subreddit aptly titled, Manhole Porn: Sewer covers in all their glory!, celebrating this ubiquitous iron…

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September 29, 2021