Search the Wisconsin Historical Society's collections

Searching for

Refine by

Results 1-20 of 23

Historical Essay

Black Hawk (1767-1838)

Leader and warrior of the Sauk Indians
Biography of Black Hawk
Historical Essay

Winnebago War (1827)

Brief description of the Winnebago War.
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

War of 1812 Cannonball

Wisconsin Historical Museum Object – Feature Story
Fragment of six-pound cannonball fired in battle between American and British forces on July 1814 at Prairie du Chien, Illinois Territory (now Wisconsin).
Historical Essay

Civil War Loyalty Flag

Wisconsin Historical Museum Object – Feature Story
20-star United States Flag used in initiation ceremonies to the Union League, where members swore to protect the Union and its values, Prairie du Chien, Wi
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

Black Hawk War Powder Horn

Wisconsin Historical Museum Object – Feature Story
Powder horn used by a member of Colonel Dodge's militia during the Black Hawk War, 1832. (Museum object #1947.851)
Historical Essay

Fairchild Portrait by John Singer Sargent

Wisconsin Historical Museum Object – Feature Story
Portrait of Lucius Fairchild by John Singer Sargent, 1887. (Museum object #1942.305)
Historical Essay

Freedom Seeker's Collar

Wisconsin Historical Museum Object – Feature Story
Iron collar removed from a freedom seeker by Wisconsin soldiers in 1862. (Museum object #1961.73)
Historical Essay

The 'Monster Knife' of John Fox Potter

Wisconsin Historical Museum Object – Feature Story
Giant knife presented to John Fox Potter by Missouri Republicans after his challenge to duel with a Virginia congressman, 1860. (Museum object #1957.112)
Historical Essay

Feather from Old Abe the War Eagle

Wisconsin Historical Museum Object – Feature Story
Eagle feather from Old Abe, the mascot of the 8th Regiment of the Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War. (Museum object #1972.59)
Historical Essay

A Colonel Tricks His Confederate Captors

A Wisconsin Civil War Story
Read about how a lieutenant outwitted Confederate soldiers after he was captured in the fog near Petersburg, Virginia
Historical Essay

Chaplains' Virtues are Unheeded

A Wisconsin Civil War Story
Read a soldier's letter describing how some soldiers generally treated chaplains during the Siege of Vicksburg.
Historical Essay

Cordelia Harvey Persuades President Lincoln to Establish Northern Hospitals

A Wisconsin Civil War Story
Learn how Cordelia Harvey established a hospital in Madison to help Civil War soldiers
Historical Essay

Falk Corporation - Image Gallery Essay

Images of a Milwaukee Manufacturing Powerhouse
Read about one of Milwaukee's most successful manufacturing companies and view vintage photographs of the corporation.
Historical Essay

The Fur Trade Era: 1650s to 1850s

A Short History of Wisconsin
Historical Essay

Patriotism Through the Mail - Image Gallery Essay

Civil War Envelopes
View the culture and politics of a country at war with itself through envelopes produced by publishers and printers.
Historical Essay

George Barnard's Photographic Views of Sherman's Campaign - Image Gallery Essay

Black-and-white photographs taken and printed by Civil War-era photographer George N. Barnard.

Have Questions?

If you didn't find the material you searched for, our Library Reference Staff can help.

Call our reference desk at 608-264-6535 or email us at: