Highlights Archives
Exhibit Traces Mississippi River Connections
"River Connections," a new exhibit at Stonefield historic site, explores the intricate links between the mighty Mississippi River and the towns and environs nestled next to it. The exhibit traces the history of the Mississippi River and its critical role in the lives of those who traversed the river or made their homes in riverside communities, with particular emphasis on the Cassville area — home of Wisconsin's first governor Nelson Dewey and present-day Nelson Dewey State Park.
Housed in the historic 1854 stone barn that once sheltered Governor Dewey's horses, "River Connections" employs drawings, graphics, and contemporary and historic photographs to weave together the divergent ways in which the river touched the lives of early native peoples, explorers, traders, and settlers. Along the way, it touches on everything from effigy mound builders and the importance of Wisconsin waterways for transportation to Wisconsin's transition from wheat farming and the rise of dairy farming.
At Stonefield you will find extensive collections documenting farming and rural life in the State Agricultural Museum. The museum's collections include rare examples of antique farm implements, including incredibly detailed miniature models and full-size machines manufactured by one of the most famous names in American agricultural history — Cyrus McCormick. And, though Nelson Dewey's original house no longer stands, his homesite, complete with several original outbuildings, still overlooks the historic site that bears the same name Dewey gave his 2,000-acre farm — Stonefield. Now, the "River Connections" exhibit provides additional perspective on Dewey's life, the history of Wisconsin agriculture, and the natural history of the Upper Mississippi River Valley. For more information about visiting Stonefield, see our visitor information page.
:: Posted July 24, 2006
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