Start Date: 5/8/2012
End Date: 5/8/2012
Event Times: 7 pm
Contact Info
E-mail: behm@
uwosh.edu Phone: 920-424-1365
Life, Death and Archaeology at Fort Blue Mounds: A Settler Fortification of the 1832 Black Hawk War
During the Black Hawk War of 1832, white settlers throughout the Upper Midwest formed militias and retreated into more than 79 hastily built fortifications to protect them from expected Indian attacks. A military-style log fort was built at the lead mining community of Blue Mounds in present-day Dane County, and the settlers there soon became embroiled in the conflict.
Fort Blue Mounds became a center for military operations for those pursuing Black Hawk and his people and was the focus of two deadly attacks by Native Americans. It was also the site of a famous hostage release. Wisconsin archaeologist and author Robert Birmingham will present an illustrated lecture drawn from his upcoming book, "Life, Death and Archaeology at Fort Blue Mounds" (Wisconsin Historical Society Press) which details the dramatic history of the fort as well as results of archaeological excavations that revealed the layout of the fort and provided insights into life on the frontier during and after the Black Hawk War.
We are proud to hold this event in celebration of Wisconsin Historic Preservation and Archaeology Month.
Ticket Info: Free and open to the public. Parking available in Lot 34, 6:30–10 pm.
Venue: Harrington Hall, Room 217 University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
Address: 845 Elmwood Ave
City: Oshkosh
