Events

Villa Louis Speaker Series

EVENT DETAILS

Sundays, July 9, August 13, September 17, October 15 | 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.


COST

Free and open to the public.

Pre-purchased tickets are not required for these events. 


Overview

Visit Villa Louis for engaging discussions on fascinating subjects. Speakers include:

July 9: "Enslaved, Indentured, Free" with Mary Elise Antoine

  • Explore the history of slavery in the Upper Mississippi River Valley through the lives of five remarkable black women in Prairie du Chien
  • Focusing on five women in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin Historical Society Press author Mary Elise Antoine explores the history of slavery in the Upper Mississippi River Valley. Join her for a short walking tour of the first Fort Crawford site on the Villa Louis grounds after the talk, and a book signing. Books will be available in the Villa Louis museum store.

August 13: "Wisconsin Waters" with Scott Spoolman

  • Explore the history of the Badger State's lakes, rivers and waterfalls.
  • Join Scott Spoolman, the author of "Wisconsin Waters: Ancient Histories of Lakes, Rivers, and Waterfalls," as he takes you on a journey through the waterways that make Wisconsin a water lover's paradise. Discover how the mighty Mississippi River was formed and how these waterways shaped the history, culture and economy of the region.

September 17: Early Formations of Crawford and Grant Counties with James Hibbard

  • Explore the indigenous history and early European settlement of the region.
  • UW-Platteville’s University Archivist James Hibbard will discuss the early formation and history of Wisconsin. Hibbard will highlight several different perspectives from this period, from the indigenous peoples to the early lead miners from Kentucky and Missouri and how the land preemption system worked and was used by the early settlers.

October 15: Black Entrepreneurialism and Illegal Slavery in Nineteenth-century Wisconsin with Dr. Eugene Tesdahl

  • Explore the stories of early Black Wisconsinites and the impact of slavery in the state.
  • Join UW-Platteville History Professor Dr. Eugene Tesdahl as you learn about significant early Black Wisconsinites and confront illegal chattel slavery as it functioned in communities including Prairie du Chien, Potosi, Platteville and Dodgeville. Honor the lives of dynamic free Black entrepreneurs including James D. Williams, Henry Early, America Jenkins and William Maxwell. This dialogue aims to further knowledge and healing about African American history and culture in the Driftless Region and beyond.


About the Location

When you walk through the doors of Villa Louis, you step into the life of one of Wisconsin’s most historic families – the Dousmans. Located on the banks of the Mississippi River, Villa Louis offers a panorama of Wisconsin history, beginning with the arrival of early fur traders through the heyday of the Victorian era. Highlighted by the stunning 1871 Italianate style mansion, the 25-acre site includes over a dozen historic structures including the Dousman Office Building, Ice House, Preserve House, Blockhouse, and the foundations of the first Fort Crawford.


Villa Louis

521 Villa Louis Rd

Prairie du Chien, WI 53821


Know Before You Go & Accessibility

Wheelchair access is available to the 1850 Brisbois Fur Trade Warehouse and restrooms, the first floor of the Villa Louis mansion, and the restrooms located near the mansion. Guests with additional mobility needs are encouraged to contact Villa Louis directly at 608-326-2721 or villalouis@wisconsinhistory.org.


Contact

For more information, please contact the box office at 608-264-4848 or boxoffice@wisconsinhistory.org.