SUMMER 2012 VOLUME 18:2 THE WISCONSIN VETERANS MUSEUM MADISON, WI WWW.WISVETSMUSEUM.COM FROM THE DIRECTOR In 2011, the Museum added a WWI trench scene. The entire AR multi-touch table that allows visitors experience is triggered by a single to access archival material in an image target. It may be an actual exhibit setting. The results have object or other symbol. Engaging been largely positive but we have an iPad with an object, let’s say a learned a few things along the way. Browning Automatic Rifle, may First and foremost, we learned that create a video experience that will actual objects still retain an inherent show how the weapon was fired, or power to inspire and engage the show it in its proper context using visitor. No digital recreation can historic film. Historical facts and ever compete with the real thing, interactive elements become a part and that’s encouraging. Second, we of the object, but only on the iPad learned that younger visitors can screen – essentially augmenting FROM THE DIRECTOR your reality. Three-dimensional recreation of an actual trench will provide visitors with a better sense WHOSE REALITY IS IT? of what it was like to fight “eye-deep Today everyone, it seems, and will disable electronic devices, in hell.” Incorporating actual images is obsessed with the latest in and that in some cases simple and stories of Wisconsin soldiers communication technology. Smart manipulation supersedes the desire will add the personal experience that phones and other mobile devices are to learn. Finally, we learned that our visitors have come to demand. required for anyone born after the the content of the device dictates the Clinton administration and they are level of true intellectual engagement. Finally, thank you to all who becoming increasingly important It’s simply not enough to rely on the have renewed your memberships for older generations, too. In today’s functionality of the device. Content this year. Membership plays the rapidly changing communications remains supreme. key role in the support of the environment, museums are likewise Museum and is the common first challenged to remain on the cutting Armed with that information, step toward self-generating income edge. Often it seems a losing battle the Museum remains committed for our institution. Your continued and one that leaves museum to moving forward with strategies support means that together we can professionals feeling like they are that will help bring to life some ensure that the Wisconsin Veterans always one step behind the curve. of our exhibits through the use of Museum remains a vital part of the Just when you think you have added developing technologies. Following nation’s cultural landscape. the latest piece in the technological on the heels of our multi-touch table puzzle you find out that there is a project that will incorporate As always, thanks for your is something else out there that augmented reality into our World support! trumps your newest toy. Despite the War I exhibit. Augmented reality rapidity at which things change, is a specialized technology which museums cannot remain locked into allows museum visitors to use iPads old methods of communication that or smart phones to interact with are seen as antiquated by emerging museum exhibits. It offers a way for audiences. The trick is to balance us to modify our existing exhibits new forms with old to meet the without having to undergo costly needs of a diverse multi-generational construction modifications. The audience. first exhibit to use AR will be the WISCONSIN VETERANS MUSEUM SPECIAL PROJECTS Your membership supports the mission of the Wisconsin Veterans Museum. In 2012, we have a number of special projects you may also be interested in giving to: ACQUISTIONS 2013 CIVIL WAR EXHIBIT AUGMENTED REALITY • Help WVM acquire significant • Support the final exhibit • Give to the Museum’s newest interac- objects and archival materials. installment of the Museum’s tive technology - Augmented Reality. 150th Anniversary of the Civil AR provides visitors with multiple War. ways to interact with current exhibits using their smartphones or iPads. REMEMBER, YOUR GIFT MAKES YOUR MUSEUM STRONGER! 2 THE WISCONSIN VETERANS MUSEUM WVM Mss 17 TUG OF WAR An Army Olympian, Carleton L. Brosius (Read more on next page) WWW.WISVETSMUSEUM.COM 3 FROM THE ARCHIVES RUSS HORTON REFERENCE ARCHIVIST THE ARMY OLYMPIAN CARLETON L. BROSIUS This summer many of us will watch the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Wisconsin has a long and proud Olympic tradition—one that is often associated with the Winter Games. Athletes from the Badger State like Bonnie Blair, Eric Heiden, Dan Jansen, Mark Johnson, and others gained fame in speed skating and ice hockey. But ninety-two years ago, four years before the first Winter Olympics, a Wisconsin native participated in the Games of the VII Olympiad in Antwerp, Belgium while serving as an active duty officer in the United States Army. Carleton L. Brosius, a Milwaukee native, earned a sterling reputation as a physical trainer in the Army in Carleton L. Brosius’s official olympic participant tag. (WVM Mss 17) the early twentieth century. His father, George, was a fighting. The Olympic Games, originally granted to Civil War veteran and a celebrated gymnast who had Budapest, Hungary, were moved to Antwerp, Belgium largely to reward the people of Belgium for their suffering during the war. Opening on April 20, 1920, the games ran until September 12 of the same year – nearly 5 months! The Games of the VII Olympiad were record- setting in several ways. It was the first Olympics to fly the five-ringed Olympic Flag, the first where competitors took the Olympic Oath, and the first to release doves as a sign of peace. The United States decided to use military personnel for some of its Olympic team, and Brosius was selected as captain of the tug of war team and an alternate on the fencing team. In July 1920, he accompanied hundreds of other soldiers and sailors to Europe aboard the USS Princess Matoika. Stopping in Germany to visit friends among the American occupation troops, Brosius reached Antwerp and participated in the tug of war competition (as pictured on page 3) on August 17 and 18—the American team did not place. An alternate in fencing, he was not called upon to compete. Following the Olympics, Brosius served as the physical Carleton L. Brosius (WVM Mss 17) trainer at St. John’s Military Academy in Delafield before taking over the operation of Brosius Gymnasium taught thousands at the Turner Hall in Milwaukee, and in Milwaukee from his father. In 1936, Brosius became the son followed in his footsteps both as a veteran and the adjutant at the Wisconsin Veterans Home in athlete. Carleton joined the Wisconsin National Guard in King, where he lived after retiring following World 1896. He served in the Spanish-American War and along War II. WVM holds his military papers and Olympic the Mexican Border before accepting a commission in scrapbooks, which document the story of a man who NEWthe Regular FOUNDATION Army in 1917. He remained BOARD stateside MEMBERS during used his love of physical fitness to serve his country World War I, traveling between encampments to set up in many different ways. Watch the WVM website and training regimens for soldiers. In 1918, Captain Brosius facebook page this summer for more from Carl Brosius’s oversaw the physical training of nearly 40,000 men in Olympic experience. nineteen Army training camps. Visit www.wisvetsmuseum.com/exhibitions/online In 1920, on the heels of World War I, Europe began the process of recovering from four years of destructive to learn more about this collection. 4 THE WISCONSIN VETERANS MUSEUM YOUR STORY STARTS HERE JENNIFER CARLSON MARKETING & DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR YOUR STORY STARTS HERE WWW.WISVETSTORIES.COM On August 23, 1918, First Lieutenant Rodney Williams, a pilot with the 17th Aero Squadron of the For more than one hundred years, the Wisconsin American Expeditionary Forces, was about to embark Veterans Museum has been connecting the past to on his last mission. While escorting British bombers, the present through the stories associated with our near Bapaume, collections. Veterans’ stories help us understand France, Rodney’s the nature of plane was individual service riddled with and sacrifice. bullets, several of which pierced Want to hear his gas tank. more stories like As he recalled, that of Lieutenant “The noise Williams? Moving was deafening. forward, we will Bursting flak, the be using the latest howl of straining in technology engines and to highlight struts, the clatter these stories of machine guns of Wisconsin’s shooting at 50 veterans. Over yards…” the course of the next two years Although his these stories will arm and hip were be available online wounded, he for the world to plugged the holes access. in the gas tank with his fingers, WisVetStories. nursing the plane com shares safely back to up-close and base. Rodney compelling was known for his accounts of the hard fighting and service of just a narrow escapes, few of the veterans so much so that from Wisconsin. the squadron Watch the videos, started referring submit your story, to close calls and share with as “a Williams your friends and show.” Williams family. Become a was awarded a fan on Facebook. Silver Star for his Help us honor actions. the legacy of our Wisconsin This particular veterans! story is Screenshot of the home page of www.WisVetStories.com. about survival; one man overcoming all odds. Stories like these have a powerful impact and can resonate and create connections, Remember, these stories belong to you.