Highlights Archives
Local History and Preservation Conference a Hit
The third annual Local History and Historic Preservation Conference met in Wausau on Friday and Saturday, October 9-10, with a record-setting attendance of 287 participants from 48 counties! The conference drew the record number by offering an increased number of sessions and workshops designed to address the needs and interests of both local historical societies and historic preservation groups.
An Engaging Lineup of Programs, Workshops and Tours
The conference kicked off on Friday with 16 sessions and six workshops. During lunch University of Wisconsin-Marathon County Assistant Professor of History Brett Barker inspired the crowd with ideas for simple, educational events that local historical societies can use to commemorate the upcoming Civil War Sesquicentennial in their communities. After the day's sessions were over, 80 people braved the chilly weather for a walking tour of Wausau's Andrew Warren Historic District led by the Marathon County Historical Society. The tours departed from the recently restored Yawkey House where 150 people attended a reception hosted by the Wisconsin Historical Foundation. Guests met and mingled in the dining room while enjoying a delicious spread of Italian-inspired dishes, wine and cider. They were also free to explore the magnificent Yawkey House, the adjacent carriage house, and formal garden to learn about the historic home from helpful docents.
Saturday began with a "Coffee and Conversation" program in which experts on a wide range of topics staff tables where participants can get their questions answered and have the opportunity to meet colleagues with similar interests. There were eight more sessions and three more workshops to choose from before Saturday's closing luncheon featuring U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Biologist Robert Willging, author of On the Hunt: The History of Deer Hunting in Wisconsin.
Save the Date for Next Year
The conference received positive reviews from attendees who also provided valuable suggestions for subjects to be tackled at next year's conference. Be sure to save the date for the 2010 conference, to be held October 15-16 in Lake Geneva.
:: Posted October 19, 2009
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