Wisconsin Historical Society Announces Fall “History Sandwiched In” Noontime Programs

Ongoing free autumn series held at the History Maker Space on Madison’s Capitol Square explores topics from Wisconsin’s history

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Historical Society announces the fall lineup for their popular “History Sandwiched In” series. These free noon-hour talks featuring Wisconsin authors, historians and community members will be held in the large conference room of the History Maker Space on Capitol Square in the U.S. Bank Building on select dates in September, October and November.

Attendees can anticipate engaging talks on various Wisconsin topics including the state’s lighthouses, the legacy of Chicano and Latino migrant farmworkers, African American soldiers in the Civil War, tavern culture and more. Presenting authors whose books are published by the Wisconsin Historical Society Press will be available for book signings following their presentations.

The upcoming talks, held from 12:30 to approximately 1:30 p.m. on Sept. 10, 24, Oct. 1, 15, 29 and Nov. 19 will feature the following speakers:

Sept. 10 – Authors Ken and Barb Wardius present "Exploring Wisconsin’s Lighthouses”

Discover the history and stories behind Wisconsin’s most captivating lighthouses, as told by authors Ken and Barb Wardius. The couple traveled the state, visiting and photographing these nautical beauties along the shores of Lake Superior, Lake Michigan and Lake Winnebago.

Sept. 24 – Jesus Salas presents “Obreros Unidos: The Roots and Legacy of Wisconsin’s Farmworkers Union”

Pulling from his recent book, author Jesus Salas discusses his family's experiences as migrant seasonal workers and the co-founding of Obreros Unidos (Workers United), an organization advocating for Latino and Chicano migrant workers' rights that evolved into a broad national movement.

Oct. 1 – Jeff Kannel presents “Make Way for Liberty: Wisconsin African Americans in the Civil War”

Sharing stories of Black soldiers and regimental employees in the Civil War, author Jeff Kannel recounts how these individuals came to the state, why they joined the Army and what their experiences were like. He also discusses what happened after the war, including the acceptance and respect some veterans received, as well as the rejection and discrimination others faced.

Oct. 15 – Author Jim Draeger discusses Wisconsin beer culture in “Bottoms Up: A Toast to Wisconsin's Historic Bars & Breweries.”

Join award-winning author and historian Jim Draeger as he leads lecture attendees on a suds-filled romp through the evolution and change in Wisconsin’s bar culture, from the days of stagecoach stops to the themed bars of today.

Oct. 29 – George Hesselberg presents “Dead Lines: Slices of Life from the Obit Beat”

Author and longtime Wisconsin State Journal newspaper reporter George Hesselberg shares stories from his book, discussing the lives and deaths of many from the wealthy and the notorious to the curious and unknown.

Nov. 19 – Susan Apps-Bodilly spotlights northern Wisconsin, presenting “Timber! A Northwoods Story of Lumberjacks, Logging, and the Land”

Travel with author Susan Apps-Bodilly as she presents her new book recounting the history of Wisconsin's logging boom, the devastation it caused, and the efforts to restore the land and log sustainably.

Admission is FREE for these upcoming events. Although it is not required, online registration is recommended to save your seat. Admittance to lecture programs will be provided to ticketholders first, with seating available on a first-come, first-served basis for drop-in attendees.

Go to wisconsinhistory.org or click here to register. The History Maker Space and the large conference room are located on the first floor of the U.S. Bank Plaza, 1 S. Pinckney Street, Madison, Wisconsin, 53703.

The History Maker Space serves as a temporary venue for the Wisconsin Historical Society’s ongoing programming on Capitol Square while the new Wisconsin History Center is being built. Programming will include pop-up exhibits, author talks, public presentations, family programming and history center updates during the building’s development.

About the Wisconsin Historical Society
The Wisconsin Historical Society, founded in 1846, ranks as one of the largest, most active and most diversified state historical societies in the nation. As both a state agency and a private membership organization, its mission is to help people connect to the past by collecting, preserving and sharing stories. The Wisconsin Historical Society serves millions of people every year through a wide range of sites, programs and services. For more information, visit www.wisconsinhistory.org.

About The Wisconsin History Center

The new Wisconsin History Center is coming to Madison’s Capitol Square, at the intersection of Carroll and State Street, in 2027. The new center will feature 100,000 sq. ft. of dedicated public programming and exhibition space and will be able to accommodate more than 200,000 visitors per year. The five-story building will feature three permanent galleries, a rotating community gallery, and a changing gallery large enough to bring in the nation’s most sought-after traveling exhibits. The center will also feature a classroom, lunchroom, café, retail and event space. Four outdoor terraces, with setbacks offering stunning views of the State Capitol and area lakes, will be available for private events and public programming. For more information, visit wisconsinhistory.org/historycenter.

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