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Wisconsin Tourism Sign

Group of resort and hotel owners gathered in front of a Wisconsin tourism sign that reads: "Relax In Wisconsin."

View the original source document: WHI 37927

Over the next several years, the Wisconsin Historical Society will be focusing on the broad question “What Makes Wisconsin, Wisconsin?” To explore the many answers to this compelling question, we are collecting stories from various sources all around the state, including archival documents, published works, and Wisconsinites like you.

Do you have a story to share that helps explain “What Makes Wisconsin, Wisconsin?” A story is a narrative that focuses on a specific person, family, organization, business, event, or object.

Perhaps your story is about an important event that happened in your community. Or the story might involve an organization that you are familiar with or an object that you own. Your story might be about a member of your family, your family in general, or maybe even you! Whatever the origin, we want to know what stories you think help explain “What Makes Wisconsin, Wisconsin.”

Here are a few story examples submitted for a recent project:

• Years ago I gave a copy of the "House of Hawley" to the Museum, a precious present from a great-aunt. It detailed the arrival of the Hawleys in the 1630's from England and their eventual arrival in WI in about the 1830s to Wiota and then on to Argyle. Lots of good stories in it that I was more than happy to share!
• I read about Maria Christjohn Hinton (Oneida name translation: She Remembers) in the book A Nation within a Nation.  She was one of many Native Americans who were required to attend boarding schools far from home prior to 1934.  She attended four boarding schools in addition to one Catholic school and one public school between 1913 and 1928.
• In 1900 my ancestors, the Northcotts, held a family reunion. From England, they settled in Juneau County, Wisconsin. My grandmother left me the photos and information she had compiled about our ancestors. I have been able to share the reunion photo and the key with my own family while doing genealogy research. As I add people to our tree and find them in the photo, it brings alive the past for me. I hope that the research I am doing will be of value to my descendants.
• My family has transcribed letters written by my mother's father's father's mother's father (my great-great-great grandfather) to his wife. Orlando Jackson Vollentine was a volunteer in Company K, 16th Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteers - the "Ozaukee Rifles." He died from injuries sustained in the Battle of Shiloh two days before the birth of his only daughter.
• In Milwaukee there is a project called Growing Power which was started by Will Allen in the 1990s.  Will grew up in rural Maryland the son of a sharecropper so was familiar with farming methods.  My understanding is that this program has become a model for similar urban agriculture incubators throughout the country.
• Jefferson East Elementary school was built by the WPA in 1936. It is a limestone, slate roofed beauty. Not only is it wonderfully constructed outside it has equal charms inside. The good people of Jefferson, Wisconsin, have kept up the building because they recognize its beauty, architectural and historic importance. To me it is my beginning. It's where I learned the basics and went on to greater achievements but it's the memories of friends, family and adventures there that make it the most special.
• A guestbook has been in the family since 1925. It was from my grandfather's restaurant, The Fritz Gust, which was at 408 Water St. (Essentially where the Public Market is now). The book is a record of people who visited the restaurant which included guests from all over the world.

Please use the following survey to submit your idea. Be specific so that Society researchers are able to delve deeper into the story if necessary. In case we have questions for you, please provide your contact information.

Click Here to Submit Your Story

By completing the survey, you agree to allow us to share the story. If your story is selected, it may be shared utilizing various Society programs including exhibits, educational curriculum, publications, reports, and /or other Society projects.  If you have any questions, contact us using the link below.

Thank you for being part of this important project to collect and share Wisconsin stories!

Contact Us

Questions about the survey?

Email us at whsnewmuseum@wisconsinhistory.org