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Historical Essay

Wisconsin Territorial Governors

List of Wisconsin's territorial governors from 1836 to 1848 and a brief summation of the responsibilities of the position.
Historical Essay

Wisconsin Governors

View a chronological list of Wisconsin governors.
Historical Essay

Wisconsin (state)

Discover the history of how Wisconsin became a state.
Historical Essay

Elections in Wisconsin

Brief history of elections in Wisconsin.
Historical Essay

Lincoln, Abraham (in Wisconsin)

Documented and Legendary Accounts of Lincoln's Visits to Wisconsin
Abraham Lincoln's visits to Wisconsin, documented and legendary.
Historical Essay

School Land Scandal

Brief description of the School Land Scandal.
Historical Essay

Barstow, William Augustus (1813-1865)

Brief biography of fomer WI governor William Augustus Barstow (1813 - 1865).
Historical Essay

Dodge, Henry (1782-1867)

U.S. Senator, Frontiersman, Soldier
Brief biography of Henry Dodge (1782 - 1867).
Historical Essay

The Mysterious Ballots of 1855

A Dishonest Democrat and a Radical Republican
Learn about the election that was so close that Wisconsin briefly had two governors until one was exposed for tampering with ballots.
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

1850s Personal Appointment Calendar

Wisconsin Historical Museum Object – Feature Story
Appointment book made of ivory, used by Wisconsin politician and businessman Cassius Fairchild of Madison, WI, during the 1850s. (Museum object #1971.19)
Historical Essay

Wisconsin's First Election

Creating the Wisconsin Territory
Discover the story of Wisconsin's first elections and how the state was divided into its present-day areas.
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

Mrs. Fairchild's Worth Gown

Wisconsin Historical Museum Object – Feature Story
Gown made by Charles Frederick Worth of Paris for Frances Fairchild of Madison, Wisconsin, 1880. (Museum object #1945.960,A)
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

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

Ojibwe Presentation Pipe

Wisconsin Historical Museum Object – Feature Story
Ojibwe pipe presented to Wisconsin territorial governor James Duane Doty, 1844. (Museum object #1955.399,A)
Historical Essay

Arndt Vest

Wisconsin Historical Museum Object – Feature Story
Vest worn by Charles C.P. Arndt when he was shot on the floor of the Wisconsin Territorial Legislature, 1842. (Museum object #1963.300)

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