Wisconsin Historical Society
Civil Disobedience
When is civil disobedience acceptable? Class members read examples of Jim Crow laws, an excerpt from Dr. Martin Luther King's "Letter from a Birmingham Jail," and a newspaper article and then consider the factors that make a law just or...
Wisconsin Historical Society
Wisconsin Historical Society: A Handbook for Using Historical Documents [Pdf]
Teachers will find this a superb guide book for teaching students how to critically examine documents from the past. The guide contains lessons and resources for Wisconsin history but the teaching methodology can be adapted for anywhere.
Wisconsin Historical Society
Wisconsin Historical Society: Mc Carthyism, Korea and the Cold War
This article looks at McCarthyism in the context of the Korean War and the Cold War. It is supplemented by original documents and articles from that era.
Wisconsin Historical Society
Wisconsin Historical Society: The French Fur Trade
The beaver was hugely important to Wisconsin during the French fur trade from 1650 to 1850, due to its popularity for use in head wear all over the northern hemisphere. There are many fascinating primary resources and historical articles...
Wisconsin Historical Society
Turning Points in Wisconsin History: Iron Brigade, Old Abe and Military Affairs
A treasure trove of articles, artifacts, and books dealing with Wisconsin soldiers in the Civil War. Included is a picture of a feather from Old Abe, the bald eagle mascot of the 8th Regiment of the Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. Many...
Wisconsin Historical Society
Wisconsin Historical Society: h.h. Bennett: Photographer Extraordinaire
This wonderful photographer provided us with images of his beloved Wisconsin's rugged landscape as well as Ho-Chunk residents, steamboats, and more.
Wisconsin Historical Society
Wisconsin Historical Society: Lesson Plans
A large collection of excellent lesson plans about Wisconsin history can be found here. They range from the elementary to secondary grade levels, with a wide variety of themes and topics from the past up to the present.
Wisconsin Historical Society
Wisconsin Historical Society: Freedom Summer
This is an extensive collection of documents, images, digital collections, and teacher resources related to the Mississippi Freedom Summer Project. Civil rights activists traveled throughout Mississippi registering rural Mississippians...
Wisconsin Historical Society
Wisconsin Historical Society: Fill 'Er Up: The Evolution of Gas Stations
Take a fascinating trip into the past to experience how gas stations have evolved from livery stables in Wisconsin. In addition to the descriptions of the architectural styles through the decades, history is brought to life with a video...
Wisconsin Historical Society
Wisconsin Historical Society: The Black Hawk War, 1832
This lesson is accompanied by original accounts from participants in the Black Hawk War, with extensive information on the relocation of the Sauk and Fox Indian tribe.
Wisconsin Historical Society
Wisconsin History: The Progressive Era
Wisconsin was at the forefront of progressive legislation at the turn of the last century. Read about the leading progressive politician, Robert M. LaFollette, the reforms passed, and the ideas that spread to the rest of the country.
Wisconsin Historical Society
Wisconsin Gov't.: Wisconsin Historical Society
Explore the state of Wisconsin using the resources of the Wisconsin Historical Society! This highly interactive site offers useful information from the state's past to what is happening right now. Maps, event calendars, this date in...
Wisconsin Historical Society
Wisconsin Historical Society: Selling the War to the American Public
A resource filled with primary source materials, posters that promoted support for World War I. Included is a worksheet that can be used to analyze any of the resources, all of which are PDF files.
Wisconsin Historical Society
Wisconsin Historical Society: A Short History of Wisconsin
This collection of five essays on the history of Wisconsin is not as short as its name might indicate. It spans from the prehistory times of First Peoples up to the present, highlighting key events and people, and supplemented by many...
Wisconsin Historical Society
Wisconsin Historical Society: The Underground Railroad in Wisconsin
While the Underground Railroad was active in Wisconsin in the 1800s, its activities were of necessity kept secret, so little documentation has survived. A few cases became matters of public record, however, most notably those of Caroline...
Wisconsin Historical Society
Wisconsin Historical Society: African American Newspapers: Freedom's Journal
Digitized collection of the first newspaper owned and produced by African-Americans (1827-1829).
Wisconsin Historical Society
Turning Points in Wisconsin History: Effigy Mounds Culture
A good description of the life of the Woodland Moundbuilding culture in what is now Wisconsin. Learn about the effigy mounds built by these Native Americans, and access primary source manuscripts of writers trying to figure out these...
Wisconsin Historical Society
Wisconsin Historical Society: The Career of Robert M. La Follette
Robert M. La Follette was a popular Republican from Wisconsin in the Progressive Era. He was a Congressman, a governor of Wisconsin and a Senator who advocated direct primaries to thwart the political machines. In addition to his...
Wisconsin Historical Society
Wisconsin Historical Society: A Brief Explanation of the Social Security Act
The Social Security Act was brought into law in 1935. This booklet was published by the government in 1935 to explain how the Act worked.
Wisconsin Historical Society
Wisconsin Historical Society: Frank Lloyd Wright
Biographical information on Frank Llyod Wright, considered perhaps the greatest American architect ever.
Wisconsin Historical Society
Turning Points Lesson Plans: Roles of Leadership
Discuss leadership of the past and today while learning about Indian chiefs Tomah, Black Hawk, Keokuk, and others. This website includes a link to the article "Indian Chiefs and Pioneers of the Northwest," group activity and game ideas,...
Wisconsin Historical Society
Turning Points in Wisconsin: Who Built the Effigy Mounds?
A great lesson plan that delves into the creation of the effigy mounds in Wisconsin. Included are links for background information, documents, and student activities.
Wisconsin Historical Society
Wisconsin Historical Society: Wisconsin State Symbols
Information about all of Wisconsin's state symbols is found here.
Wisconsin Historical Society
Wisconsin Historical Society: Mathilde Anneke, 1817 1884
Mathilde Anneke was a remarkable woman. A feminist before the days of feminism, she worked tirelessly for the rights of women and of African Americans. She experienced firsthand the powerlessness of a nineteenth-century woman after her...