Search the Wisconsin Historical Society's collections

Searching for

Refine by

Results 1-20 of 23

Historical Essay

Death Penalty in Wisconsin

Brief history of the death penalty in Wisconsin.
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

Elections in Wisconsin

Brief history of elections in Wisconsin.
Historical Essay

The History of Recall Elections in Wisconsin

Read an account of the history of recall elections in Wisconsin. This article also includes a Wisconsin recall timeline and citations of scholarly sources.
Field Trip or Tour

First Capitol Field Trip

First Capitol - a historic site
Tour the first capitol of Wisconsin and reimagine Wisconsin as a place of beginnings.
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

Young, Leon D. 1967

Politician and former Police Officer
Discover the history of Leon D. Young
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

Strong, Moses McCure 1810-1894

Lawyer, Politician, Land Speculator, Promoter and Author
Biography of lawyer, politician, land speculator and promoter and author of a History of the Territory of Wisconsin, Moses Mccure Strong.
Historical Essay

Wisconsin Capitols

During its history, Wisconsin has had five capitols. Read a brief chronology and see a timeline.
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

Life in Early Madison

Learn about life in early Madison
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

Benjamin Butts (1853-1930)

One Man's Journey from Slavery to Madison Business Owner to State Assembly Staff Member
Learn about a freed slave's intriguing story as a barber serving Wisconsin's prominent politicians, and as a well-known, beloved face in the capital city.
Historical Essay

Stephenson, Isaac 1829-1918

Lumberman, Financier and Congressman
Biography of Isaac Stephenson who was a lumberman, financier and congressman.

Have Questions?

If you didn't find the material you searched for, our Library Reference Staff can help.

Call our reference desk at 608-264-6535 or email us at: