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Historical Essay

T-shirt worn to the National March for Lesbian and Gay Rights

Wisconsin Historical Museum Object – Feature Story
This shirt is from the first nationwide demonstration for gay rights, which was held in Washington, DC on October 14, 1979
Historical Essay

"Better Gay Than Grumpy" pinback button

Wisconsin Historical Museum Object – Feature Story
This button is an example of queer culture’s use of humor and double meanings.
Historical Essay

Rainbow flag carried by a protestor at a lecture by Ralph Reed

Wisconsin Historical Museum Object – Feature Story
This particular flag was carried by a protester at a lecture by Ralph Reed, held on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus on February 17, 1998.
Historical Essay

Shirts worn by Kenneth Scott and Brian Bigler at their Holy Union ceremony

This was one of the earliest known gay union ceremonies in Madison.
Shirts worn by Kenneth Scott and Brian Bigler at their Holy Union ceremony, July 22, 1995
Historical Essay

Ballot Box Representing Fight For Women's Suffrage

Wisconsin Historical Museum Object - Feature Story
Ballot Box used in Town of Weston, Clark County, Wisconsin, ca. 1915.
Historical Essay

Liberace's Performance Jacket

Wisconsin Historical Museum Object – Feature Story
Elaborately beaded jacket worn by pianist, performer, and Wisconsin native Liberace during his performances in the late 1970s. (Museum object #2008.77.1)
Historical Essay

Civil War Governor Harvey's Knife

Wisconsin Historical Museum Object – Feature Story
Pocket knife found on the corpse of Wisconsin Governor Louis P. Harvey after he drowned in the Tennessee River on April 19, 1862. (Museum object #1969.4)
Historical Essay

1957 Soap Box Derby Racer

Wisconsin Historical Museum Object – Feature Story
"Soap box" coaster car operated by Van Steiner in the All-American Soap Box Derby in 1957. (Museum object # 2009.56.1)
Historical Essay

Oscar Mayer Wiener Banjo-Ukulele

Wisconsin Historical Museum Object – Feature Story
Banjo-ukulele used by jingle composer Richard Trentlage in the first recording of the Oscar Mayer Wiener Song, 1962. (Museum object #2009.59.1)
Historical Essay

Caine Mutiny Costume

Wisconsin Historical Museum Object – Feature Story
Naval uniform costume worn by actor Fred MacMurray in the 1954 motion picture "The Caine Mutiny." (Museum object #2009.19.1)
Historical Essay

Atomic Age Evacuation Route Sign

Wisconsin Historical Museum Object – Feature Story
Evacuation Route road sign used to direct Milwaukee, Wisconsin residents out of town in the event of a potential nuclear bomb detonation, installed 1955-19
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

African American Bowling Shirt

Wisconsin Historical Museum Object – Feature Story
Bowling shirt designed, made and worn by Earlene Fuller of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, c. 1995. (Museum object #2008.176.5)
Historical Essay

Silver Wedding Presents

Wisconsin Historical Museum Object – Feature Story
Silver ladle and spoon given to Syndonia (Hobbins) Jackson of Madison, Wisconsin as a wedding present, 1872. (Museum object #1955.304,A)
Historical Essay

Mayville Iron Parlor Stove

Wisconsin Historical Museum Object – Feature Story
Gothic revival parlor stove made of iron ore from Mayville, Wisconsin, 1846. (Museum object #1999.141.1)
Historical Essay

Southern Colonial Dollhouse

Wisconsin Historical Museum Object – Feature Story
Southern Colonial dollhouse handmade and furnished by Ann Little of Columbus, Wisconsin, 1976-1977. (Museum object #2007.191.1)
Historical Essay

Red Dot Potato Chip Can

Wisconsin Historical Museum Object – Feature Story
Container for potato chips made by Red Dot Foods, Inc., Madison, Wisconsin, c. 1950. (Museum object #2002.384.1A-B)
Historical Essay

Granger Gourd

Wisconsin Historical Museum Object – Feature Story
Ceremonial container made from a gourd, presented to Wisconsin Governor William R. Taylor, 1874. (Museum object #1993.53)
Historical Essay

Cast Iron Effigy Mound Model

Wisconsin Historical Museum Object – Feature Story
Cast iron Wisconsin effigy mound model in the shape of a "trunk and arms of a man", designed by Increase A. Lapham, c. 1875. (Museum object #1975.8.12)
Historical Essay

Wonder Spot "Book" Sign

Wisconsin Historical Museum Object – Feature Story
Wonder Spot "Book" sign that greeted thousands of visitors to the beloved Wonder Spot attraction in the Wisconsin Dells area, c. 1990. (Museum Object #2007

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