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Historical Essay

School Land Scandal

Brief description of the School Land Scandal.
Historical Essay

Americanization and the Bennett Law

Assimilation
Discover how the government tried to assimilate Germans and Indians into their culture.
Historical Essay

Stearns, Lutie Eugenia 1866-1943

Librarian, Lecturer, Reformer and Author
Biography of Lutie Eugenia Stearns, librarian, lecturer, reformer and author who helped establish the Wisconsin Free Library Commission.
Historical Essay

Louise Williams

First Woman Notary Public
Discover the story of Wisconsin's first woman notary public Louise Williams who provided legal counsel for southern Wisconsin after the Civil War.
Historical Essay

Berger, Meta Schlichting (1873-1944)

This Milwaukee born woman successfully advocated for progressive reforms in the educational system and was influential in the Milwaukee socialist movement.
Historical Essay

Edwin Witte, 1887-1960

Father of the Social Security Act
Learn about this Wisconsin-born economist and his active role in the development of the Social Security Act.
Historical Essay

Victorian Baby Carriage

Wisconsin Historical Museum Object – Feature Story
Baby carriage used by the McFetridge family of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, c. 1871. (Museum object #1963.135.225)
Historical Essay

The Man With the Branded Hand

The Story of Jonathan Walker, Abolitionist
Discover the story of Jonathan Walker, "Slave Stealer."
Historical Essay

Land Speculation and Cities

How Real Estate Owners Created Wisconsin
Discover how land owners promoted their towns and villages for settlers and created the cities you know today.
Historical Essay

Wisconsin's Early Schools

How the University was Began
Discover how the lack of educational opportunities in Wisconsin helped create the University of Wisconsin.
Historical Essay

Berger, Victor, 1860-1929

Symbol of Milwaukee Socialism
Learn about the man who was the symbol of Milwaukee Socialism. Read about his involvement in the newspaper business, politics, and his anti-war stance.
Historical Essay

How Madison Became a City

From Bear Hunting on the Capitol Square to a Fully-incorporated City
Discover how Madison went from a small village in 1836 to being organized and governed as a city in 20 years time
Historical Essay

Immigration in the 19th Century

Europeans Come to Wisconsin
Discover how Native Americans were removed from their lands in Wisconsin to make room for European immigrants.
Historical Essay

Kilbourn, Byron (1801-1870)

Land Speculator and Politician
Brief biography of surveyor, land speculator, railroad promoter and politician Byron Kilbourn, twice elected mayor of Milwaukee.
Historical Essay

Allis, Edward P. (1824-1889)

Learn more about the entrepreneur and manufacturing innovator who established, Allis Company, Milwaukee's largest industrial employer in the late 1880s.
Historical Essay

Ely, Richard Theodore, 1854-1943

Brief bio of Richard Theodore Ely, professor, economist, social reformer and author who played a votal role in shaping the "Wisconsin Idea."
Historical Essay

Rosaline Peck's Violin

Wisconsin Historical Museum Object – Feature Story
Violin and bow played by Madison, Wisconsin pioneer Rosaline Peck, 1830s. (Museum object #1969.304.2,A)
Historical Essay

Bashford, Coles (1816-1878)

Lawyer, Politician and Governor
Discover the history of Wisconsin governor Bashford Coles.
Historical Essay

Potter, John Fox 1817 - 1899

Republican Congressman and American diplomat
Learn more about this Wisconsin Congressman. This article contains links to related articles, newspaper clippings and a catalog description of his papers.
Historical Essay

The Progressive Era: 1895-1925

A Short History of Wisconsin

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