Museum Objects Monthly Archives: Ethnic & Cultural Identity
Quilled buckskin pouch used by Charles de Langlade to carry his fur trade papers in northern Wisconsin, mid to late 1700s. (Museum object #1955.186) This pouch, presented to the Wisconsin Historical Society in 1888 by Charles de Langlade Grignon, represents... :: April 10, 2008
"Denial of Absolution" collage featuring likeness of civil rights activist Father James Edmund Groppi by artist Gloria Adair of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 1966. (Museum object #1993.37.1) In 1966, Milwaukee, Wisconsin artist Gloria Adair felt compelled to compose a work of art... :: January 31, 2008
Bandstand used by Chad Przybylski and his Polka Rhythms of Pulaski, Wisconsin, from c. 1980 until 2003. (Museum object #2003.10.1) Alongside cheese, beer and brats, the polka might be one of the most readily recognized Wisconsin icons. In fact, in... :: January 17, 2008
Six-foot "floor model" Festivus pole and stand made of an extruded aluminum alloy manufactured by The Wagner Companies of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and used by Governor Jim Doyle, 2005. (Museum object 2007.84.1A-C) Unadorned and lusterless. These are typically not adjectives used... :: December 13, 2007
Window from "The White Shul", a Sheboygan, Wisconsin synagogue, c. 1910. (Museum object #2006.108.1.1) Immigrants must reconcile sometimes contradictory impulses. Having abandoned their homes to escape repression or poverty, they often seek to recreate familiar communities in their new lands.... :: September 13, 2007
Desk used by Milwaukee Alder Vel Phillips, made by the Northwestern Furniture Company for Milwaukee City Hall, 1895. (Museum object #2007.16.1) From this roll-top desk on the floor of the Milwaukee Common Council chamber, Alder Vel Phillips forged a career... :: March 1, 2007
Native American courting flute carved by Louis Webster, of Menominee, Stockbridge, Potawatomi and Oneida descent, 1994. (Museum object #1996.118.93) Once common among Wisconsin’s Woodland Indians, the use of traditional flutes began to decline in the late 1800s. Almost a century... :: February 8, 2007
Hat worn by Annie Mae McClain to services at the Tabernacle Community Baptist Church, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Museum object #2006.103.2) “But every woman that prayeth or propesieth with her head uncovered dishonoreth her head.” I Corinthians 11:5 Annie Mae McClain of... :: November 30, 2006
Improvised wild rice threshing machine used on the Lac du Flambeau Reservation, Wisconsin, c. 1990. (Museum object #1999.61.5) Harvested in the early autumn, wild rice has long been an important commodity to Native Americans, including the Ojibwe, who lived in... :: October 5, 2006
Copper kettle used to make Swiss cheese at the Tuscobia Cheese Factory near Rice Lake, Wisconsin, c. 1910 to 1969. (Museum object #2004.64.1) Swiss cheese was traditionally made in round, copper kettles because the metal heats quickly and uniformly. This... :: June 22, 2006
Bunk beds used by the Contreras family, Mexican-American migrant workers, in Wautoma, Wisconsin, 1970s-1980s. (Museum object #1999.16.1A-G) If home is where you rest your head, this bunk bed documents the process of Chicano migrant workers learning to call Wisconsin home.... :: June 8, 2006
Decorated trunk brought to Wisconsin from Norway by immigrant Mette Larsdottir, c. 1845. (Museum object #2000.77.1) Mette Larsdottir brought this painted trunk to the Readstown area of Vernon County, Wisconsin from her original home in Luster, Sogn, Norway about 1845.... :: May 11, 2006
Early hand-carved table made by Levi Havemann, a German immigrant to Madison, c. 1860. (Museum object #1998.21.1) German-born Levi Havemann came to Madison, Wisconsin in 1854 as a skilled wood carver and cabinet maker. He lived at several locations around... :: March 30, 2006
Variation of a friendship quilt using neckties made by Allie Crumble, 1982. (Museum object #1996.118.16) Drawing from established quilt traditions, Allie Crumble offered a portrait of her African-American church community. This pieced quilt consists of thirty-six large squares with each... :: February 2, 2006
Cardboard Hanukkah decoration used by three generations of a Wisconsin family, c. 1960. (Museum object #2002.388.6) The Bernard and Annette Howards family of Racine, Wisconsin purchased this decoration and many others for their celebration of Hanukkah, c. 1960. The light... :: December 29, 2005
Block-printed wall hanging produced by workers of the Milwaukee Handicraft Project, 1935-1943. (Museum object #1981.184.4) On November 6, 1935, in the midst of the Great Depression, the staff of the Milwaukee Handicraft Project (MHP) opened its doors to find a... :: September 22, 2005
Trinket box brought to Wisconsin by Norwegian immigrants, c. 1870. (Museum object #1993.6.2) According to family history, Ole Olsen Kalvestrand received this trinket box from his father, who originally constructed it in 1794. His father intricately carved the front, top,... :: May 12, 2005
Charred bread slices recovered from the Alden's Corners archaeological site in Dane County, Wisconsin. (Museum object #2002.211.1,3,5) In 2002, archaeologists from the Museum Archaeology Program of the Wisconsin Historical Society were surprised to find what may be the oldest pieces... :: April 28, 2005
Mid-nineteenth century violin converted into Hardanger fiddle by Knute Hellund, c. 1893. (Museum object #1973.56) In 1893, Theodore Mikkelson of Chetek, Wisconsin, gave his seventeen-year-old nephew, Adolph K. Austin, an old violin. Under the tutelage of his uncle, Austin learned... :: March 31, 2005
Pysanky Ukrainian Easter egg decorated by Wisconsin artist Betty Pisio Christenson, 1980s. (Museum object #1996.118.356) This chicken egg is an example of pysanky, an intricately decorated Ukrainian Easter egg. The artist was Betty Pisio Christenson, of Suring, Wisconsin. Her parents... :: March 24, 2005
Costume worn by Gary Ray Howards of Racine during the Jewish holiday of Purim, 1957. (Museum object #2003.20.2) Each spring, usually in the month of March, Jews all over the world celebrate the annual festive holiday of Purim. Jewish custom... :: March 17, 2005
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