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Historical Essay

Democratic Party in Wisconsin

Brief history of the Democratic party in the state of Wisconsin.
Historical Essay

Civil War Loyalty Flag

Wisconsin Historical Museum Object – Feature Story
20-star United States Flag used in initiation ceremonies to the Union League, where members swore to protect the Union and its values, Prairie du Chien, Wi
Historical Essay

Civil War Home Front

Historical Essay

Bading, Gerhard Adolph (1870 - 1946)

Gerhard Adolph Bading
Discover the history of Gerhard Adolph Bading
Historical Essay

Ryan, Edward George 1810-1880

Lawyer, Politician and Judge
Biography of lawyer, politician and judge Edward George Ryan.
Historical Essay

Milwaukee Sewer Socialism

How Wisconsin Became America's Most Socialist State
Discover how Milwaukee, Wisconsin became America's first Socialist city.
Historical Essay

Dodge, Henry (1782-1867)

U.S. Senator, Frontiersman, Soldier
Brief biography of Henry Dodge (1782 - 1867).
Historical Essay

Governor Tommy Thompson and Welfare Reform

Wisconsin Works, BadgerCare, Pathways to Independence
Learn about Tommy Thompson's welfare legislation that became a national model for state-supported aid to low-income families and disabled people.
Classroom Material

Wisconsin Copperhead Anti-War Movement and Marcus 'Brick' Pomeroy

Wisconsin and the Civil War
Use the writing of Marcus "Brick" Pomeroy to examine different opinions on the Civil War
Historical Essay

Vilas, William Freeman 1840-1908

Lawyer, Politician, Senator, Cabinet Officer and Philanthropist
Biography of William Freeman Vilas, 1840-1908.
Historical Essay

Salomon, Gen. Frederick (1826-1897)

Wisconsin Civil War Office, Wisconsin Registrar of Lands
Historical Essay

Carpenter, Matthew Hale (1824-1881)

Lawyer and Senator
Biography of lawyer and U.S. Senator Matthew Hale Carpenter.
Historical Essay

Potter Law (1874)

Brief explanation of The Potter Law (1874).
Historical Essay

Granger Gourd

Wisconsin Historical Museum Object – Feature Story
Ceremonial container made from a gourd, presented to Wisconsin Governor William R. Taylor, 1874. (Museum object #1993.53)
Historical Essay

The Mysterious Ballots of 1855

A Dishonest Democrat and a Radical Republican
Learn about the election that was so close that Wisconsin briefly had two governors until one was exposed for tampering with ballots.
Historical Essay

Wisconsin's First Election

Creating the Wisconsin Territory
Discover the story of Wisconsin's first elections and how the state was divided into its present-day areas.
Historical Essay

Wisconsin State Constitutions of 1846 and 1848

Too Progressive for Wisconsin
Discover why Wisconsin's 1846 was re-written and passed in 1848
Historical Essay

Peck, George Wilbur (1840-1916)

Brief biography of newspaperman and eventual Governor (1891-1895)
Historical Essay

Paines in the Neck for Powers-That-Be

Two Lawyers Spur Abolitionist Reform and Universal Voting Rights
Learn how Byron Paine and Halbert E. Paine used the power of law for radical abolitionist reform in mid-19th century Wisconsin.
Historical Essay

Governor Dreyfus's Red Vest

Wisconsin Historical Museum Object – Feature Story
Red velveteen vest worn by Wisconsin Governor Lee Sherman Dreyfus, c. 1975. (Museum object #1982.450.15)

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