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Historical Essay

Progressivism and the Wisconsin Idea

The History of the Movement
Discover how Robert "Fighting Bob" La Follette, the Wisconsin Republican Party and the Progressive Movement reformed state and national government.
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

State Capitol Spittoon

Wisconsin Historical Museum Object – Feature Story
Ornamented bronze cuspidor (spittoon) used in the Wisconsin State Capitol, c. 1915-1955. (Museum object #1955.3600,A-B)
Historical Essay

Arndt Vest

Wisconsin Historical Museum Object – Feature Story
Vest worn by Charles C.P. Arndt when he was shot on the floor of the Wisconsin Territorial Legislature, 1842. (Museum object #1963.300)
Historical Essay

The Creation of Wisconsin Territory

A Plot of Land Becomes a City
Discover how Wisconsin went from a small part of a territory to a capital city.
Historical Essay

Lottery Ball Drawing Machine

Wisconsin Historical Museum Object – Feature Story
Ball drawing machine used by the Wisconsin Lottery for Daily Pick 3 and Daily Pick 4 games, 1992-2000. (Museum object #2001.83.16.1A-B)
Historical Essay

Oldest Wisconsin License Plate

Wisconsin Historical Museum Object – Feature Story
Oldest known surviving license plate in Wisconsin, issued to a Mount Horeb man, 1905. (Museum object #1966.493.1)
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

When Beer Was Almost Illegal

A Popular Speaker Sways Opinion
Discover the connection between P.T. Barnum and the 1853 statewide referendum on liquor sales.
Historical Essay

Valentine's Callers

The Remarkable History of the Telephone
Learn how Wisconsin resident Richard Valentine's invention would change the world
Historical Essay

The Budget Deficit of 1921

How a New Progressive Governor Repaired the Economy
Read about Governor John J. Blaine's plan to deal with the Budget Deficit of 1921.
Historical Essay

Madison's First Thanksgiving

The Power of the Pumpkin
Read the story of the first Thanksgiving celebrated in Madison.
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.

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