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Historical Essay

Civil War Draft Riots in Wisconsin, 1862

A brief description of the violent attacks that ensued after the Civil War military draft began in Wisconsin.
Historical Essay

1st Wisconsin Heavy Artillery History

Wisconsin Civil War Regiment
The components of the 1st Wisconsin Heavy Artillery regiment were spread throughout the South during the war.
Historical Essay

Houdini, Harry 1874 - 1926

Magician and Showman
Brief biography of Harry Houdini (1874 - 1926).
Historical Essay

Labor Day in Wisconsin

Beyond Beer and Brats
Explore the history of Labor Day celebrations in Wisconsin.
Historical Essay

When Beer Was Almost Illegal

A Popular Speaker Sways Opinion
Discover the connection between P.T. Barnum and the 1853 statewide referendum on liquor sales.
Historical Essay

Nativity Scene Crèche Set

Wisconsin Historical Museum Object – Feature Story
Nativity scene creche set assembled and used by a Polish-American family in Milwaukee, Wisconsin beginning around 1895. (Museum accession #2007.100)
Historical Essay

Civil War Draft Drum

Wisconsin Historical Museum Object – Feature Story
Military draft raffle drum used to select draftee names in Milwaukee, Wisconsin during the Civil War, 1863-1864. (Museum object #1966.174)
Historical Essay

Milwaukee Light Guard Uniform Coat

Wisconsin Historical Museum Object – Feature Story
Milwaukee Light Guard coat worn by Captain John C. Starkweather, 1858-1861. (Museum object #1957.282)
Historical Essay

First Practical Typewriter

Wisconsin Historical Museum Object – Feature Story
Sholes & Glidden typewriter developed by Christopher Latham Sholes of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and marketed c. 1874. (Museum object #1964.31)
Historical Essay

Vel Phillips's Common Council Desk

Wisconsin Historical Museum Object – Feature Story
Desk used by Milwaukee Alder Vel Phillips, made by the Northwestern Furniture Company for Milwaukee City Hall, 1895. (Museum object #2007.16.1)
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

The Civil War Home Front

How the Women of Wisconsin Helped Win the War
Discover how women on the Wisconsin home front helped win the Civil War.
Historical Essay

Automobile Culture

Wisconsin and the Invention of the Car
Discover how Wisconsin's influence on the automobile and tourist culture.

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