National History Day is a project-based history contest for students in middle and high school. Every state has a program, and you can find out more about how to join Wisconsin’s National History Day here.
For students and teachers who are already part of National History Day, Wisconsin 101 has many resources you can use. Whether you are working on an exhibit, a paper, a presentation, or a website, we are happy to help!
“Frontiers in History: People, Places, Ideas”– Objects and the 2023 National History Day Theme
An “object history” tells stories about the past by starting with an object. Objects document past events and remind us of the thoughts, values, and experiences of people long gone. They also help us explore the links between distant events and processes.
For National History Day, you can write your own object histories, or you can explore our website to find objects that relate to your project. Some objects on Wisconsin 101 connect directly with this year’s theme of “Frontiers in History: People, Places, Ideas.”
Take some time to explore the objects and stories on our site. You might be surprised by what kinds of connections you can build!
Resources for Students
- Map: Use the map on our homepage to find stories about objects from your part of the state.
- Finding objects: Begin by visiting your local museum or historical society. You can find a list of them here. If you have already begun a NHD project, then you can see what objects they have that might link to your project. When you talk to the curator be very clear about what you are researching. That way they can help guide you to the most useful objects. You can also visit places like the Milwaukee Public Museum, the Milwaukee Jewish Museum, the Neville Public Museum, or the Wisconsin Historical Society. And don’t forget to look for photos. Some are online while others you’ll need to visit in person.
- Useful objects: The best object for your project will include information about where it was made, when, how, who owned it, or why that person gave it to the archive. Remember, just because someone famous owned or created the object, doesn’t mean it will be useful for your project.
Resources for Teachers
- Tips for visiting an archive: Try contacting your local historical society or museum to see if they can provide a short tour of their collections and some time for students to see objects in the collection. Be clear with the archivist about what the project is so that they can help choose objects that are most useful for your students. Being specific about the students’ projects will help the archivist guide students through the collection. For instance, “The National History Day theme is ‘Frontiers in History: People, Places, Ideas’ this year. One of my students is interested in this theme as it connects to the history of labor conditions in the early twentieth century. Do you have any objects that might help her develop a local context for this project?”
- Lesson plans: Whether for National History Day or a classroom assignment, Wisconsin 101 can help you develop lesson plans for your classroom. We’re here to help.
- Sample High School Lesson Plan: Wisconsin101 Lesson Plan
- Contact us for more information about object-histories, lesson plans, and other resources.
Object Suggestions:
When Edward Pennington unveiled the first prototype for what he deemed the “motorcycle” in 1895, inspiration struck the minds of two Milwaukee natives, William Harley and Arthur Davidson. Joined by Arthur’s brother, Walter, the three began tinkering with two-wheelers and eventually designed their own.
By the year 1904, when the “Armeda” toilet pictured here appeared in the Kohler Company’s product catalogue, Sheboygan-based Kohler had become one of the largest makers of bathroom furnishings in the United States. Even at this early date in its history, as this catalogue illustration shows, the company sought to position itself at the luxury end of the booming market in the construction of new homes.
The film, “A League of Their Own,” portrays the lives of the manager and players of the Rockford (Illinois) Peaches in 1943, just as the All-American Girls’ Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) is being formed. During the movie, the Peaches play the Racine (Wisconsin) Belles several times. The Belles costume featured here was worn by an extra and appears briefly about 1 hour and 5 minutes into the movie.
Videos for Choosing and Researching NHD Topics
Featured Image: National History Day logo from wikimedia commons.