Collecting, preserving and sharing stories since 1846. Explore our resources, destinations and programs to put the power of historical perspective to work.
History is for everyone. Now it's easier than ever to find yours. @WisHistory unveiled NEW brand identity & redesigned website. Whether you're researcher, history lover or planning your next Wis. road trip, #WisHistory has something waiting for you: wisconsinhistory.org/
Congratulations to Fire Station No. 4 in La Crosse on its recent addition to National Register of Historic Places! Served surrounding community for more than 80 years, until 2024. Today, historic building has been given new life through adaptive reuse as single-family residence!
Now Available: “Best of the Wurst: Weird and Wonderful Stories of Wisconsin Sausage” In this lively, comprehensive ode to link, writer & storyteller Jesse Brookstein embarks on quest to show why Wis. is sausage maker to world. Published by @whspress: wihist.org/4cP2son
ALT The image is a book cover titled "Best of the Wurst: Weird and Wonderful Stories of Wisconsin Sausage" by Jesse Brookstein. It features three people in white aprons and hats standing in front of hanging sausages, with various sausages and meats displayed in the foreground. The background has a sausage shop setting. "Now Available" is written at the bottom.
Old World Wisconsin's spectacular, supernatural night of family fun and spooky thrills returns with Halloween Legends & Lore!
🎃 Halloween Legends & Lore
Oct. 9-10, 16-17 & 23-24
Book tickets: wihist.org/4hbIuWa
ALT Two people stand near pumpkins and hay bales under a "Halloween Legends & Lore" sign at Old World Wisconsin. Various Halloween decorations, including stacked jack-o'-lanterns, are visible.
In July, maritime archaeologists & engineers tested new technology & techniques for exploring shipwrecks in Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary. Using a hybrid AUV/ROV they finished documenting the wreck of the steamer Senator.
Learn more: oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/exped…
ALT One of the 268 Wisconsin-built Nash automobiles that remain in Senator’s hull. Image courtesy of Hibbard Inshore.
ALT The Saab Sabertooth hybrid autonomous underwater vehicle/remotely operated vehicle on the back deck of Research Vessel Laurentian and ready for deployment to explore Senator. Image courtesy of Exploring Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary at Scale.
#NationalBeachDay Beach Aire Motel property in Kenosha Co. includes 8 buildings. Built between 1950 and 1955, the rental units are classic examples of mid-century roadside architecture. 📸: @WisHistory State Historic Preservation Office | AHI 118674 #WisHistory
ALT A black-and-white image of several vintage roadside cabins arranged in a row with circular windows and small awnings. One car is parked in front. The background features trees and a clear sky.
ALT A series of turquoise, octagonal-shaped motel units with circular windows, lined up along a paved driveway. The units have brick foundations and are adorned with potted plants and flowers. A grassy area and trees are visible in the background under a cloudy sky.
Carve pumpkins, press apples, sip hot cider, enjoy family-friendly spooky storytelling & take horse-drawn rides through crisp leaves during Autumn Celebration Weekend at Wade House. Oct. 10 & 11 | 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Book Tickets: wihist.org/4y5Mu14#WisHistory
ALT Two children smiling while carving pumpkins at an outdoor table. The background shows more people and trees. A banner above reads "Wade House Autumn Celebration Weekend.
91 years ago, on Aug. 14, 1935, Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Social Security Act into law, creating federal safety net that continues to impact millions of Americans. 📸: Pres. F.D. Roosevelt signs Social Security Act | Aug. 14, 1945 | W011PD2
Cherries are delicious part of Wisconsin history & must-taste of summer! Did you know? Door County is known for its cherry orchards. With its ideal combination of climate & soil, Door County Peninsula has been cherry-growing paradise for more than century. 📸: @WDNR | W013OPE
Happy 30th Birthday, @Pokemon! 🎉 Can you believe it’s been 3 decades since these pocket monsters 1st captured our imaginations? Officially debuted in Japan on February 27, 1996, with the release of Pocket Monsters: Red and Green. 📸: Wisconsin Historical Museum object 2007.94.2
Happy 175th Anniversary @wistatefair! Wis.’s very 1st State Fair was held in Janesville in 1851. In its early years, fair traveled from city to city before finally putting down roots in 1892 at its current home in West Allis. Kicks off Aug. 6 & goes through Aug. 16. 📸: W012FZ3
ALT Poster for the Wisconsin State Fair in 1915, featuring a large crowd, amusement rides, and buildings. A person in traditional clothing holds a pennant marked "WIS." The text reads "Wisconsin on Parade" and "Sept. 13-17, 1915, Milwaukee."
Circus World welcomed members of Wis.’s federal & state legislative delegations for Legislator Day last Wednesday! It was privilege to share remarkable story of Historic Ringlingville, showcase important preservation & restoration work & welcome our guests under Big Top.
What do you call it?
💧 Bubbler
💧 Drinking Fountain
💧 Water Fountain
If you're from Wisconsin, there's a good chance you call it a bubbler.
Let us know in the comments what you call it!
📸: June 16, 1952 | @WiStateJournal | W011VHU #WisHistory
There's something undeniably nostalgic about pulling into classic drive-in restaurant & enjoying meal from comfort of your car. @TravelWI rounded up 4 classic drive-in restaurants across state: wihist.org/4vF9dQ9 📸: @rudysdrivein, La Crosse | AHI 238801 #NationalDriveInDay