Columns T H E N E ws L E tt ER O F th E WI S CO ns I N H I st OR ICA L S OCIE T Y VOL. 33 NO. 4 | ISSN 0196-1306 | JULY/AUGUST 2012 IN THIS ISSUE: 3 Forward! Campaign News 4 Recalling the Grunge Era in Madison 13 Rare Territorial Map Discovered 2 Director’s Column 5 Historic Preservation 6 Local History 8 Events Calendar 14 | Wisconsin Historical Foundation 15 | Statewide Programs and Locations Collecting, Preserving and Sharing Stories Since 1846 MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL No image defined the Green Bay Packers’ resurgence during the 1990s more than the Lambeau Leap, a spontaneous celebration that began the day after Christmas in 1993 when safety LeRoy Butler (36) returned a fumble for a touchdown to clinch the Packers’ first postseason berth since 1982. Read about a new history of the iconic NFL franchise on page 11. W11159_Columns_7-8-12.indd 1 6/18/12 9:40 AM Director’s Column In a twist on a memorable old slogan, I would like to invite you all to “visit our historic sites and museums again for the first time.” The peRenniaL favoRitE events during 576-acre site on your own to learn more about the high season of July and August are still 19th-century Wisconsin rural farm and village available for you to enjoy: Independence Day life. celebrations at Madeline Island Museum and Old If you prefer to wake up in a different bed, so World Wisconsin; a War of 1812 encampment to speak, at the 1860s Wade House stagecoach and battle re-enactment at Villa Louis; the ever- inn you can prepare a “Yankee breakfast” in our popular Laura Ingalls Wilder Days at Old World “Breakfast at the Inn” program. The eggs from the Ellsworth H. Brown Wisconsin, among others. But if you explore our coop will be part of breakfast, which is prepared The Ruth and Hartley Barker Director online events calendar (and an abbreviated events in the inn’s fully equipped kitchen—on a wood- listing on pages 8, 9 and 10) a bit further, you fired cook stove or an open hearth. Caveat: a will discover a variety of novel opportunities to successful experience may depend on the whim experience the historic sites and museums in new of the chickens, as I’m told by Wade House lead and different ways. interpreter Betsy Urven that some of her hens At Old World Wisconsin, for example, you are “afternoon layers.” Next join in with staff to can experience 19th-century farm life firsthand prepare and savor a delicious Yankee breakfast through the outdoor museum’s new interactive that you’ll enjoy that much more from having “Life on the Farm” program. At least those of helped make it. you who did not grow up on a farm may wish Each of the breakfast events coincides with to roll up your sleeves, pull on boots and muck the historic site’s popular Vintage Base Ball games out the barn stalls, gather eggs from the coop or (yes, the spelling is correct), played according to Columns feed young farm animals. And, just as farm work 1860s rules—another unique way to experience Bob Granflaten, Editor changed with the seasons in the 19th century, Wisconsin’s recreational past. I must confess, Composure Graphics, Designer you can expect to engage in completely different however, that we are unable to make the long-held undertakings when you return later in the season. claim that our Wade House team, the Greenbush Published bimonthly by the Dead Citys, has a perfect record—they won a few Wisconsin Historical Society and Another innovative farm program Old World distributed to members as part Wisconsin is hosting this year is a series of early games last season. of their dues. Full membership morning “Rousing with the Roosters” events. There are more non-traditional events that you levels begin at $45 for individuals Early risers join staff to tend gardens, care for the can enjoy this season. Just dial up our website at and $65 for institutions (rates farm animals, gather eggs, pick berries and do wisconsinhistory.org, follow the Historic Sites and subject to change). To join or other typical morning farm chores of the 1880s. Museums link at the top of the page, and explore for more information about After working up a healthy appetite, participants each location’s events calendar. And so I invite you membership, visit our website at help prepare and then dig into a hearty breakfast. to visit us again this season for the very first time. wisconsinhistory.org/membership • or contact the Membership Then you will be free to explore the rest of the Office at 888-748-7479, email whsmember@wisconsinhistory. org, or write to the Membership Nominations to the Board of Curators Office at the address below. Address inquiries about this The Nominating Committee of the Board of Curators nominates Society members for election to the board. Voting publication to the editor, Columns. members of the Society may suggest a candidate for board service by submitting the candidate’s name and a brief Media may reprint any article resume to: Nominating Committee Chair, c/o Margaret Maly, Wisconsin Historical Society, 816 State Street, Madison, WI 53706 or via email to [email protected]. provided credit is given to the Wisconsin Historical Society and Members may also nominate a prospective candidate by petition. In addition to its nominees, the Nominating Committee Columns. Periodicals postage will place in nomination the name of any member presented to it by a petition signed by 25 members of the Society, paid at Madison, Wisconsin. provided that the signatures are gathered between January 31 and March 2 of each year and submitted to the Postmaster, send address committee by March 2. changes to: Columns, Wisconsin Upon request, any member seeking to prepare such a petition shall have access to the names and addresses of the Historical Society, 816 State Society’s members. A petition template is also available upon request. Such requests may be sent to the above-listed Street, Madison, WI 53706. name and address. 2 wisconsinhistory.org Columns W11159_Columns_7-8-12.indd 2 6/14/12 4:18 PM Campaign News This fall the Society will celebrate the successful conclusion of Forward! The Campaign for the Wisconsin Historical Society, its first major philanthropic campaign. Members preview “Life on the Farm” at Old World Wisconsin A Number OF Wisconsin Historical Society members and their families gathered on June 8 at Old World Wisconsin for a sneak preview of “Life on the Farm,” which opened to the public on June 9. Through this brand new experience, Old World Wisconsin’s visitors can now discover firsthand what life was really like working and living on a farm in the Upper Midwest in the late 19th century. The Society’s Forward! Campaign funded this engaging new initiative, which is the first in a series of new experiences designed to make a visit to Old World Wisconsin more interactive, fun and memorable for all ages. We welcome you to experience “Life on the Farm” at Old World Wisconsin during regular museum hours at no additional admission charge. As a Wisconsin Historical Society member, you receive half-price or free admission (depending on your Each guest receives a biography card when they membership level) to Old World Wisconsin. For more information arrive. about “Life on the Farm,” visit oldworldwisconsin.org. There are six cards in all. Each tells the story of a different individual who performed many of the same tasks that guests experience at “Life on the Farm.” Guests experience “Life on the Farm” by participating in a number of hands-on activities. PHOTOS FROM THE “LIFE ON THE FARM” MEMBER EVENT AT OLD Activities pictured above include (from left to right) grooming horses, donning a pair of wooden WORLD WISCONSIN, JUNE 8, 2012, BY MIKE MORBECK barn shoes worn for mucking the barn stalls and helping in the heirloom garden. JULY/AUGUST 2012 wisconsinhistory.org 3 W11159_Columns_7-8-12.indd 3 6/18/12 9:42 AM News Smart Sounds, Alt Music, Mad Scenes On Exhibit through September 15 DISCOVER HOW MUSIC recorded, produced collection from Smart Studios, along with other and played in Madison in the 1980s and ‘90s mementos from bands associated with the studio. influenced the national music scene in a new The technical room features artifacts such exhibit at the Wisconsin Historical Museum, as an analog multi-track tape recorder and Smart Sounds, Alt Music, Mad Scenes. The exhibit panorama images of the console area. The band examines how that happened, what the music room depicts a set-up of a band playing. Artifacts scene looked like, and who the key players were. include posters, band T-shirts and photographs. The primary emphasis is on Smart Studios, where Madison Live Music Venues bands like Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins and This section of the exhibit looks at the three Madison’s own Garbage recorded, and how the major live music venues in Madison that featured studio attracted local and national talent, and musicians who recorded at Smart Studios: disseminated their work. Experience Madison’s JOE GIRON WHI 93690 O’Cayz Corral, Club de Wash and Merlyn’s. legendary music venues through posters and Members of Nirvana, left to right, Bands that played these venues include local and objects, and take a look inside WORT, Madison’s Krist Novoselic, Kurt Cobain and Dave nationally famous groups: Smashing Pumpkins, Grohl, one of the bands whose music community radio station, which broadcast this Soul Asylum, Nirvana, Flip Kings, Gomers, was produced by Smart Studios music and helped launch it to the nation.