Wisconsin 101 is partnering with Old World Wisconsin to highlight the favorite objects of elementary students who visit. Find out more about our favorite things and explore ways to use them in the classroom.

See if you can spot all of these objects during your visit!

image of a slate tablet with bound edges

OBJECT HISTORY: Slate

In the 1800s, schools used slates to teach students reading, writing, and math. Students used slates because paper and ink were expensive.

Lefse is a traditional Norwegian food that is still special to many Norwegian Americans today. Norwegian families heat the lefse stone in a wood-burning stove and then use it to cook the lefse dough.

During the 1880s bicycling became very popular, and many cycling clubs opened across America. The Badger Wheelmen was a cycling club based in Milwaukee. In clubs, cycling fans could meet and share their love for bicycles. Members wore pins like this one to show they belonged to a club. 

Explore Wisconsin 101: Our History in Objects

Learn about objects in Wisconsin’s history

The objects and stories featured on Wisconsin 101 cut across the diverse regional, cultural, economic, and political differences of our state, providing a rich sense of our shared heritage.

a photograph showing a women cloth against a beaver cloth with beads beside
A woman sits writing at a desk

Write your own story

Everyone is invited to participate in building this interactive, public resource for exploring Wisconsin’s history and geography. Please share your story!