Pierre-Esprit Radisson arrived in Wisconsin in the mid-1600s as one of the first French fur traders to reach there. Radisson led a colorful life and traveled widely across the continent, although he is reputed to have exaggerated some of...

Take a fascinating trip into the past to experience how gas stations have evolved from livery stables in Wisconsin. In addition to the descriptions of the architectural styles through the decades, history is brought to life with a video...

A large collection of excellent lesson plans about Wisconsin history can be found here. They range from the elementary to secondary grade levels, with a wide variety of themes and topics from the past up to the present.

While the Underground Railroad was active in Wisconsin in the 1800s, its activities were of necessity kept secret, so little documentation has survived. A few cases became matters of public record, however, most notably those of Caroline...

This is a library of historical images and photos of Milwaukee. The pictures are organized by category and include one for 'Lesson Activity Images'. There are also numerous historical maps.

An amazing and comprehensive resource for teaching Milwaukee history to learners in Grades 1 to 4. The materials are organized around four themes - early settlers, immigration, working, and modern Milwaukee. A free DVD of the video...

An amazing and comprehensive resource for teaching Milwaukee history to students in Grades 5 to 12. The materials cover topics such as immigration, industry, government, the world Wars, and so on. A free DVD of the video series can be...

Digitized collection of the first newspaper owned and produced by African-Americans (1827-1829).

In this interactive activity, students choose an historical photograph and write a news article about it. The photos are from Milwaukee's history but the activity could be easily modified to relate to early American history for many...

In this interactive activity, students select historic photographs of Milwaukee and create a scrapbook page. It is advised that they work in a wordprocessor while they compose their text, as the article is not saved online.

Chief Shu'nuni'u (1783-1867), known best as Souligny, led the Menominee of Wisconsin for close to fifty years. He sided with the British during hostilities and was instrumental in standing up for his people during negotiations for the...

Learn the history of this Native American group - how they were forced to leave their land, but purchased a large section of land in what would soon become the state of Wisconsin.

Learn the history of this Native American group - how they were forced to leave their land, but purchased a large section of land in what would soon become the state of Wisconsin.

Provides comprehensive information regarding Wisconsin history, famous people, cities, geography, state parks, tourism, and historic sites. A fact sheet of information and a quiz are also available.

A short biography of Solomon Juneau, one of the founders of Milwaukee in the 1800s. He is buried in this cemetery.

Discuss leadership of the past and today while learning about Indian chiefs Tomah, Black Hawk, Keokuk, and others. This website includes a link to the article "Indian Chiefs and Pioneers of the Northwest," group activity and game ideas,...

Wisconsin was at the forefront of progressive legislation at the turn of the last century. Read about the leading progressive politician, Robert M. LaFollette, the reforms passed, and the ideas that spread to the rest of the country.

A charismatic demagogue, Joe McCarthy grew up on a Wisconsin farm and attended a one-room schoolhouse. While still a teenager, he established a thriving business as a chicken farmer. He dropped out of school after eighth grade, but...

Read this harrowing account of a German-American farmer whose nativist neighbors suspected his alliegiance to the United States after the country entered the war against Germany in World War I.

Ellen Clara Sabin (1850-1949) began teaching at a young age, and went on the become one of the leaders in establishing educational institutions in Wisconsin specifically for women. She also helped establish the Wisconsin Federation of...

Nicolas Perrot arrived in Wisconsin in the 1600s as a fur trader and an explorer, claiming much of the land for France. He established trading posts along the Mississippi and strengthened the French position against the Iroquois. A link...

Edwin Witte was known as the founder of Social Security, having created the plan for it when he worked on the Committee on Economic Security under President Franklin Roosevelt. This is a biography of his life.

This virtual exhibit provides an in-depth look at the life and accomplishments of Harry Houdini.

An exhibition documenting the discovery of two mammoths and a mastodon, found in Wisconsin and Iowa. The Hebior mammoth was particularly significant as the excavation showed evidence that the mammoth had been killed by humans. Background...