Events

History Sandwiched In Fall 2024

EVENT DETAILS

Tuesday, Sept 10, 2024 | 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept 24, 2024 | 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct 1, 2024 | 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct 15, 2024 | 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct 29, 2024 | 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov 19, 2024 | 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. (CANCELED)


COST

The event is free. Advanced registration is recommended.


Overview

Wish there was a way to get a crash-course on the most unique aspects of Wisconsin history in one place? Look no further than History Sandwiched In, where scholars, historians, authors and community members from across the state join together to hold engaging discussions on wide-ranging historical topics of interest. From the hidden history of prominent Wisconsin lighthouses to the lives of Wisconsin African American soldiers during and after the Civil War and more, learn about the people, places and stories that shaped—and continue to shape—the Badger State.  

 

All History Sandwiched In events are free and open to the public. Capacity will be limited to 60 persons per talk. Advanced registration is recommended to ensure your spot.  


Presentations Include:


Sept 10 – No symbol is more synonymous with Wisconsin’s Maritime history than the lighthouse. For more than a century and a half, these beacons have assisted mariners through ever-changing waters In “Exploring Wisconsin’s Lighthouses," join Ken & Barb Wardius as they highlight the rich past of lighthouses featured in their book, Wisconsin Lighthouses: A Photographic and Historical Guide 

Sept 24 - Jesus Salas delves into the pivotal history of Wisconsin migrant labor rights in this impactful presentation. Sharing from his book, Obreros Unidos: The Roots and Legacy of the Farmworkers Union,  Salas will discuss his and his family's experiences as migrant seasonal workers, the brutal working and living conditions in migrant camps, efforts to organize the Midwest’s migrant seasonal workers, the co-founding of Obreros Unidos, or Workers United, to advocate for migrant workers and their families, the broader transnational movement supporting rights for farmworkers, and much more  

Oct 1 - Author Jeff Kannel will draw from his book Make Way for Liberty: Wisconsin African Americans in the Civil War, sharing stories of soldiers who came to the Badger state, their varying decisions to join the Army, and what they experienced during their service. Kannel also discusses the post-war years, including the simultaneous respect and racial discrimination Black veterans faced, the nature of service within all-white regimentsand the strong bonds forged between African American veterans. 

Oct 15 - Join award winning author and historian Jim Draeger as he leads lecture attendees on a suds-filled romp through the evolution and change in Wisconsin’s bar culture, featuring stories from the book Bottoms Up: A Toast to Wisconsin's Historic Bars & BreweriesLearn about the evolution of the tavern from stagecoach stops to the themed bars of today. Trace the social, cultural, and technological changes brought about by liquor regulation, temperance, prohibition and its aftermath. 

Oct 29 - Peek into the past with author and longtime newspaper reporter George Hesselberg as he shares stories from his book, Dead Lines: Slices of Life from the Obit Beat, discussing the lives—and deaths—of many Wisconsin residents: the wealthy, the notorious, the curiousthe unknown, and everything in between. Alternately amusing, sad, surprising, and profound, Hesselberg’s stories speak to both the profundity and mundanity of a shared human experience.

Nov 19 – Step back in time and journey to the towering white pines of northern Wisconsin with author Susan Apps-Bodilly as she presents on her and co-author Jerry Apps’ new book, Timber! A Northwoods Story of Lumberjacks, Logging, and the Land. Drawing from primary sources including letters, postcards, and other historic materials, Apps-Bodilly recounts the history of Wisconsin's logging boom, the devastation it caused, and efforts to restore the land and achieve sustainable logging practices.  

 

About the Location

An active, community-focused space that hosts school groups, pop-up exhibits, author talks, public programs and more; located in the US Bank Building on Madison's Capitol Square. 

U.S. Bank Plaza

1 S. Pinckney Street 
Madison, WI 53703 


Know Before You Go & Accessibility

  • This portion of History Sandwiched In programming includes six dates. Please note that program registration is for individual lecture dates. When registering to attend, make note of which presentation is scheduled for which date. 
  • Lectures will take place in the U.S. Bank Plaza large conference room on the 1st floor of the building, located just off the central lobby area.  
  • Upon arrival, lecture attendees are to confirm their registration by checking-in with a WHS staff member.  
  • All lectures will be in person, with capacity limited to 60 people per lecture date.  
  • Admittance to lecture programs will be provided to ticketholders first, with seating available (when possible) on a first-come first serve basis for drop-in attendees.  
  • Lecturers will also be selling related book titles in the History Maker Space Gift Shop. 
  • Visitor parking is available onsite at U.S. Bank Plaza in the US Bank Plaza Ramp. Go to https://www.uli.com/news/parking-in-downtown-madison for more information on weekday hourly parking rates.  
  • Additional street parking is available and there are public parking lots within two blocks of the U.S. Bank Plaza building. Go to https://www.cityofmadison.com/parking/garages-lots/hourly-rates for information about the locations and rates of downtown Madison garages and street meters. 
  • selection of stories will be recorded, streamed, and made available to the wider public by PBS Wisconsin via the University Place program on public television.  
  • Attendees who are interested in learning more about the lecture topics and lecturers as well as those who have questions are encouraged to contact Jenny Pederson at jennifer.pederson@wisconsinhistory.org or 608-669-5160. 


Contact

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