Object Histories

La Crosse County / Region 3 - Center West / La Crosse / A Hmong Baby Sash / Politics, Society & Government / Clothing & Fashion / Art, Sport & Entertainment / Object Histories / Ethnicity & Identity / 1960-1980 / Global Connections

OBJECT HISTORY: A Hmong Baby Sash

We are surrounded by objects that seem very ordinary, but once we look closer, they often reveal deep connections to the history of our state and our communities. In this Object History, Pao Vue writes about the thread-bare baby sash he found in his mother’s room that, it turns out, once saved his life and…

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September 9, 2020

Jefferson County / Region 7 - South Center / A Duck Decoy / Lake Koshkonong / Manufacturing & Trade / Art, Sport & Entertainment / 1860-1880 / 1880-1900 / Object Histories / Nature & Environment

OBJECT HISTORY: A Duck Decoy

With its painted black bill, brown head, and white and black body, it is likely obvious to humans that this object is made out of wood. This object is called a duck decoy, and was intended to fool other ducks into settling…

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September 9, 2020

Vernon County / La Farge / A Dam Tower in the Kickapoo Valley Reserve / Region 6 - South West / Politics, Society & Government / Object Histories / Nature & Environment / 1960-1980 / Transportation & Tourism

OBJECT HISTORY: A Dam Tower in the Kickapoo Valley Reserve

This concrete obelisk stands near the Kickapoo River and is located a mile north of the village of La Farge.  It rises nearly a hundred feet above the river valley floor. The tower was constructed more than forty years ago as part…

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September 9, 2020

Sheboygan County / Greenbush / Region 5 - Center East / 1800-1820 / 1820-1840 / 1840-1860 / Politics, Society & Government / Object Histories

OBJECT HISTORY: A Ballot Box

When was the last time you voted? Today? Yesterday? Maybe last week? Voting can be simple and a good way to let people know what you want. You may have voted, for example, on where to get dinner. You and one family…

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September 9, 2020

Vulcan Bowling Pin. Photo credited to Joe Hermolin.

Langlade County / Antigo / Vulcan Bowling Pin / Region 2 - North East / Manufacturing & Trade / Art, Sport & Entertainment / Object Histories / 1940-1960 / Global Connections

OBJECT HISTORY: Vulcan Bowling Pin

This bowling pin was produced by the Vulcan Corporation in Antigo, Wisconsin, sometime in the late 1950s after Vulcan had introduced its patented “Nyl-Tuf Supreme” plastic coating (as indicated by the pin’s red label).

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September 8, 2020

Milwaukee County / Earlene Fuller's Bowling Shirt / Milwaukee / Region 8 - South East / Clothing & Fashion / Art, Sport & Entertainment / Object Histories / Ethnicity & Identity / 1980-2000 / Curators' Favorites / Global Connections

OBJECT HISTORY: Earlene Fuller’s Bowling Shirt

This shirt, which features an African kente cloth print, was designed, made and worn in the mid-1990s by Milwaukee's Earlene Fuller, an African American bowler and seamstress.

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September 8, 2020