Cruising History

In case your didn't
know which state
you are in.  (dwm)

The last time I visited the Wisconsin Historical Museum, it was in the State Capitol.

I can't tell you which floor, but I think it was one of the higher floors in the building.  There were a number of Civil War artifacts and the one I remember most is Old Abe.

Old Abe was the Bald Eagle who served as the mascot for the 8th Wisconsin Voluntary Regiment in the Civil War.  The original Old Abe lived out his life in a special apartment in the Capitol after the war.  He was then preserved and kept on display.

In 1904, the Capitol was destroyed by fire and so was Old Abe.  Since 1915, a replica stands guard above the State Assembly.

Inside a home for the
People of the Woodlands. (dwm)

You can see another likeness of Old Abe in the Museum.  Case Tractor's Bald Eagle astride the globe serves as its emblem. You can see it up close on the 3rd floor.

The State Historical Museum is on Capitol Square at the corner of the famous State Street and Carroll in Madison

Each floor offers a different glimpse of Wisconsin.  A full-size gift shop with a big selection greets guests and visitors.  Just beyond is an exhibit of photos of Wisconsin's tourist tradition.

Lumber camps were tough places to
work, but the food was among the
best around.  (dwm) 

There is a nice photo opportunity in front of a Wisconsin scenic postcard (a good place for a selfie) and a children's play area.

The second floor highlights the People of the Woodlands - Native Americans.  It chronicles the arrival of the Europeans and the treaties which ultimately took the land.

Through text and artifacts you walk through days on the frontier; in the lead mine; and in the lumber camps.  Those times quickly gave way to agriculture, blacksmith shops, and early manufacturing.

Wisconsin products on display
including the Harley Davidson.
(dwm)

The museum looks at the immigrants who built the state.  For many years Wisconsin was home to a higher percentage of original and first-generation Americans of any state.

The negative of that was during World War I, German Americans living in Wisconsin (and elsewhere) were thought to be spies and a threat to the country.

The floor featuring Wisconsin manufacturing was fun.

There is an Ambassador made by the Nash Rambler Car company in Kenosha; pens produced by Parker in my hometown of Janesville; and a lot of space devoted to products from every corner of the state.

It's known as America's Dairyland, but the
Ag industry is just one of them. The field of
machine parts evokes the rest of the
economy.  (dwm photo)

The museum is on Capitol Square and offers great views from each floor.

At the top of the Historical museum is an opportunity to give your opinion on which team is "most" Wisconsin (Packers or Badgers) and whether the Cheesehead is a good icon.

It includes state politics.  The Progressive Movement essentially started here and "Fighting Bob" LaFollette ran for President twice.  I was a bit surprised to see a statue of Sen. Joe McCarthy, not one of the state's brighter lights, but it is good to know where we shouldn't go again.

The final display highlights the fun side of the state.  Fairs, expositions, shows, and the town tavern.

I could have spent another hour reading the cards by each exhibit and watching the 1950s era Wisconsin tourism promotional movie.  There is a lot to learn.

If you aren't a cheesehead, this is still a stop on your visit to Badgerland.  Take in a little - appreciate a little more.