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Historical Essay

Madison's First Thanksgiving

The Power of the Pumpkin
Read the story of the first Thanksgiving celebrated in Madison.
Historical Essay

Madison's First Presidential Visit

The Brief Stay of Rutherford B. Hayes
Discover the visits US presidents have paid to Wisconsin
Historical Essay

The Story of Memorial Day

Celebrations of Memorial Day Throughout History
Discover the history of Memorial Day celebrations in Wisconsin.
Historical Essay

Pierce, Hettie, 1829-1944

Madison's Oldest Resident
Born into slavery, Hettie Pierce lived 115 years and was able to fully experience both life before and after emancipation.
Historical Essay

Wisconsin Bank Failures of 1837

The Rise and Fall of Private Currencies
Discover the history of currency in Wisconsin, and how paper money led the state to adopt a new constitution in 1848.
Historical Essay

Turtle Toes

The Capital's First Drunkard
Read the story of Madison's first and most beloved drunkard, Pinneo.
Historical Essay

A Wisconsin Connection to Wounded Knee

The Story of Lost Bird
Discover this harrowing story that brings together a feminist pioneer and the infant her husband found in the aftermath of Wounded Knee.
Historical Essay

Madison's Castle

A Strange Man's Strange Dwelling
Discover the bizarre story of a castle built on the shore of Lake Mendota in the 1800's.
Historical Essay

The First Madison Lodgings

From Under a Tree to Madison's Most Popular Lodge
Discover the story surrounding the planning and construction of the first building erected in Madison.
Historical Essay

First House Never Occupied

How Plans to Make Madison's First Home Went up in Flames
Discover the Brief History and Tragic Ending of Madison's First Home
Historical Essay

Origins of Madison Street Names

The Constitutional Convention's Influence on the City
Find out where some of the most traveled streets of Madison got their names.
Historical Essay

Madison and Other Imaginary Cities

Speculating on a Dream
Join cantankerous British geologist George Featherstonehaugh as he travels to Madison in 1837 and finds things not as he expected them to be.
Historical Essay

How Madison Became the Capital

Argument and an Unpopular Choice
Discover how Madison became the capitol city during the first Wisconsin territorial convention
Historical Essay

Madison's Fur Traders

The First White Men in Madison
The first white residents of Madison were fur traders Wallace Rowan, Olivier Ammel and Michel St. Cyr.
Historical Essay

How Madison Became a City

From Bear Hunting on the Capitol Square to a Fully-incorporated City
Discover how Madison went from a small village in 1836 to being organized and governed as a city in 20 years time

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