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HIGHLIGHTS OF OUR
PAST NEWS and EVENTS For a complete listing see our Facebook page
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SOCIETY NEWS
May 2019, Wisconsin Historical Society awards its Board of Curators Museum Exhibit Award to the Mount Horeb Area Historical Society for “Life and Change at the Edge of the Driftless”
Each year the Wisconsin Historical Society recognizes outstanding historical work that helps connect people to the past. The Museum Exhibit Award honors excellence in the research, development, and design process that creates an engaging experience for museum visitors.
Each year the Wisconsin Historical Society recognizes outstanding historical work that helps connect people to the past. The Museum Exhibit Award honors excellence in the research, development, and design process that creates an engaging experience for museum visitors.
“Life and Change at the Edge of the Driftless” explores the ever-changing relationship between the people, the communities, and the landscape of the Driftless region of Southwestern Dane County. The award review committee noted the carefully researched exhibit storylines supported by artifacts, documents, photographs, and local stories.
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The committee also observed the effective use of graphics, maps, and interactive elements that engage visitors and create impactful connections between the past and the present.The exhibit storylines include the region’s Ice Age geology, Native history and presence in the region, European immigration, the dairy and cheese-making industry, diverse and changing communities over time, and the culture and identity of the region today.
The Wisconsin Historical Society also recognizes the Mount Horeb Area Historical Society’s achievement in realizing a long-range vision to create expanded facilities for exhibit, program, and research opportunities with the opening of the Driftless Historium Museum in June of 2017. The “Life and Change at the Edge of Driftless” exhibit is a fantastic addition to the Driftless Historium Museum. On behalf of the Wisconsin Historical Society and the Board of Curators, thank you to the staff, volunteers, and board members for your work to create this new exhibit that adds to our understanding and appreciation of Wisconsin history. Congratulations! |
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May 2018, UW announces community partnership awards
Creators, Collectors, & Communities: Making Ethnic Identity Through Objects
Partners: Ann Smart Martin, Stanley and Polly Stone (Chipstone) Professor of Art History; Steel Wagstaff, Instructional Technology Consultant, L&S Learning Support Services.
Partner Organization: The Mount Horeb Area Historical Society
Beginning in Fall 2015, the Mount Horeb Area Historical Society (MHAHS) has partnered with faculty, staff and students in the Department of Art History and L&S Learning Support Services to research, interpret and present material from the Society’s collection to the broader public. This partnership culminated in June 2017 with the opening of the Driftless Historium, a newly constructed history center in Mount Horeb, Wisconsin. The fruits of this multi-faced collaboration between the MHAHS’s professional staff and community volunteers, and university staff and students, have included Creators, Collectors, & Communities: Making Ethnic Identity Through Objects, a 60-object exhibit examining the evolution of ethnic identity in southwestern Wisconsin which has been seen in person by more than 10,000 visitors over the past year, and a free, media-rich catalogue and eBook accompaniment featuring photographs, oral histories, and original student research which has been viewed online by thousands.
Creators, Collectors, & Communities: Making Ethnic Identity Through Objects
Partners: Ann Smart Martin, Stanley and Polly Stone (Chipstone) Professor of Art History; Steel Wagstaff, Instructional Technology Consultant, L&S Learning Support Services.
Partner Organization: The Mount Horeb Area Historical Society
Beginning in Fall 2015, the Mount Horeb Area Historical Society (MHAHS) has partnered with faculty, staff and students in the Department of Art History and L&S Learning Support Services to research, interpret and present material from the Society’s collection to the broader public. This partnership culminated in June 2017 with the opening of the Driftless Historium, a newly constructed history center in Mount Horeb, Wisconsin. The fruits of this multi-faced collaboration between the MHAHS’s professional staff and community volunteers, and university staff and students, have included Creators, Collectors, & Communities: Making Ethnic Identity Through Objects, a 60-object exhibit examining the evolution of ethnic identity in southwestern Wisconsin which has been seen in person by more than 10,000 visitors over the past year, and a free, media-rich catalogue and eBook accompaniment featuring photographs, oral histories, and original student research which has been viewed online by thousands.
November 2018, Festive Photo Booth—Holiday Portraits for a Good Cause!
Capture your Christmas card photo, or just a special holiday snapshot to share with loved ones!
Pose in a gorgeous vintage, fully restored cutter sleigh, against a festive outdoor-themed backdrop and obligatory pile of brightly wrapped presents. Other fun props will be optional, including an oversize teddy bear and "Santa's bag of toys."
Capture your Christmas card photo, or just a special holiday snapshot to share with loved ones!
Pose in a gorgeous vintage, fully restored cutter sleigh, against a festive outdoor-themed backdrop and obligatory pile of brightly wrapped presents. Other fun props will be optional, including an oversize teddy bear and "Santa's bag of toys."
Annual Mount Horeb Moonlight Gala
Presented by Trivent Financial, Benefitting the Driftless Historium and The Norsk.
The Annual Membership Meeting was held at the Mount Horeb Senior Center. Over 60 people attended to hear an overview of the successes of the past year by Director Destinee Udelhoven and Curator Johnna Buysse, as well as the featured (and timely) presentation by past President and Society co-founder Brian Bigler entitled, "Unraveling the Mysteries of the Norway Building of the 1893 World's Fair."
December 2014; meet our new Executive Director Destinee Udelhoven. Destinee has a M.A (American History and Museum Studies) from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, a B.A. (History, with minors in English and Studio Art) from Black Hills State University. Destinee has experience in several history-related arenas, including archaeological work with the US Forest Service and Old Salem Museum & Gardens (Winston-Salem, NC), and has held positions as Archivist and Curator of Collections and Programming, as well as most recently serving as the Director of the Historic Indian Agency House (Portage, WI). Husband, Wade (a native of Platteville), and two children (Max and Mia) reside with Destinee in Mount Horeb.
Fall 2014: Little Norway Gifts
After 86 years Little Norway has closed its doors to the public. We received several objects from their collections directly from the owners, and thanks to a monetary donation, we were able to purchase several other pieces.
Willi Lehman -Bleu Mont Cheese Co.
June 2014: Wine, Beer and Cheese event to announce our the Society's Cheese Factory website including an interactive map and listings by township.
The event featured several cheese makers with local ties along with sampling of their cheeses.
We also had samples of local beers and wine.
Comments on this event from the Cheese Underground blog and from the Wisconsin State Journal.
The event featured several cheese makers with local ties along with sampling of their cheeses.
We also had samples of local beers and wine.
Comments on this event from the Cheese Underground blog and from the Wisconsin State Journal.
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The Evjue Foundation, the charitable arm of The Capital Times, awarded a grant of $5,000 toward the general support of the Society's work.
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Madison Community Foundation encourages, facilitates and manages long-term philanthropy.
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SOCIETY EVENTS
Driftless Historium Hosts Native American Art Marketplace & Exhibit Debut! "Life and Change at the Edge of the Driftless" This multi-faceted exhibit, the centerpiece of the Mount Horeb Area Historical Society's new 3-building, 12,000 square foot facility, shares the many stories of the ecologically and geologically unique Driftless Area of Southwestern Dane County -from the last Ice Age to today - using original artifacts and documents, as well as video, photo slideshow and interactive kiosk elements. A partnership with the Little Eagle Arts Foundation of Wisconsin Dells, with support provided by the Ho-Chunk Nation, added additional cultural dimension, via demonstrations and displays of traditional crafts and arts by Wisconsin tribal members, many of whom will also offer their art work for sale. |
The Wisconsin Dells Singers.
Elliott Funmaker, Sr. and family conducted a cultural demonstration of Ho-Chunk Nation traditions at the Driftless Historium in Mount Horeb. They shared their rich heritage with many details about the regalia that they wear, as well as the significant meaning of the songs and dances. They also explained the symbolism of objects and actions, such the drum itself and the beat they played on it. It was an informative peek into the culture of the native people of this Driftless Area. One that will helps ensure their traditional heritage is not soon forgotten.
Courtesy of Ron E. Lutz II. Photographer, Mt. Horeb WI |
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2019 Writer's Workshop at the Historium
#1 Writing the Driftless Landscape: Catherine Young's essays and poems have been published nationally and internationally in numerous literary journals and in anthologies, including "The Driftless Reader." #2 Stories in the Soup Pot: Using food as inspiration, writing instructor and naturalist Catherine Young will lead exercises and prompts for you to craft delectable written creations. We'll cook up and serve stories from our own lives which may take shape as memoir, fiction, poetry or even children's literature. |
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2019 Speakers & Exhibits Series
Immigrants of Wisconsin: Yesterday & Today Los Lecheros: Immigrants in Wisconsin's Dairy Industry Pioneer Wisconsin: Voices of Early Settlers Laura Ingalls Wilder: Global Migration & Midwest Sensibilities American Tail: Family Movie & Pizza Party Researching Your Immigrant Roots with Lori Bessler Immigrant Journeys from South of the Border German Immigrants in Wisconsin |
Immigrants of Wisconsin: Yesterday & Today
Immigrants of Wisconsin: Yesterday & Today
Los Lecheros: Immigrants in Wisconsin's Dairy Industry
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Laura Ingalls Wilder: Global Migration & Midwest Sensibilities
American Tail: Family Movie & Pizza Party
Researching Your Immigrant Roots with Lori Bessler
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2018 Speakers Series
From Home Front to Western Front: Women in WWI - Theresa Kaminski Posters as Propaganda: Selling WWI - Emil Hoelter Traitor State: WI Homefront in WWI - Leslie Bellais Doing Your Bit: Movie-Going in the Great War - Leslie Midkiff DeBauche Beyond the Trenches: WWI Speaker - Kevin Hampton, Curator of History at the Wisconsin Veterans Museum |
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Meet the Artist: Watercolorist Jonathan Rooney
Rooney’s bold, lively colors and semi-abstract, nature-inspired landscapes are fresh, modern and engaging. Rooney began painting in earnest in 2008, under the mentorship of local artist Peg Ginsburg—but art has always been a quiet presence in his life.
Rooney’s residency at the Driftless Historium is rendered even more poignant by the fact that his great-great-great-uncle was Ebenezer Brigham, Dane County’s first permanent settler, with a robust presence in Wisconsin’s early history. In fact, Jonathan honored his family heritage by sponsoring the new “Brigham’s Inn” exhibit!
Rooney’s bold, lively colors and semi-abstract, nature-inspired landscapes are fresh, modern and engaging. Rooney began painting in earnest in 2008, under the mentorship of local artist Peg Ginsburg—but art has always been a quiet presence in his life.
Rooney’s residency at the Driftless Historium is rendered even more poignant by the fact that his great-great-great-uncle was Ebenezer Brigham, Dane County’s first permanent settler, with a robust presence in Wisconsin’s early history. In fact, Jonathan honored his family heritage by sponsoring the new “Brigham’s Inn” exhibit!
Jan. 2018: Inga Witscher Cooking Demo: Scandinavian Sandwich Cake
Inga had us in the palm of her cream cheese-spattered hand today--with at least one audience member heading right to the grocery store afterwards to pick up ingredients for their own smorgastrata. A big THANK YOU to Inga for visting the Driftless Historium today and all who attended--and, of course, to Lora Lee for setting the Scandinavian mood beforehand with her hardanger fiddle! We hope to have Inga back with us Around the Farm Table very soon. For more pictures see our Facebook page on this event.
Inga had us in the palm of her cream cheese-spattered hand today--with at least one audience member heading right to the grocery store afterwards to pick up ingredients for their own smorgastrata. A big THANK YOU to Inga for visting the Driftless Historium today and all who attended--and, of course, to Lora Lee for setting the Scandinavian mood beforehand with her hardanger fiddle! We hope to have Inga back with us Around the Farm Table very soon. For more pictures see our Facebook page on this event.
Photo by Jeff Miller
Sept. 2017: Student Research Symposium & Exhibit Reception.
UW-Madison students, under the leadership of Art History and Material Cultural Professor Ann Smart Martin, partnered with the Mount Horeb Area Historical Society on this exhibit -a collaboration that offered new perspectives and posited intriguing larger-world connections.
UW-Madison students, under the leadership of Art History and Material Cultural Professor Ann Smart Martin, partnered with the Mount Horeb Area Historical Society on this exhibit -a collaboration that offered new perspectives and posited intriguing larger-world connections.
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Arts & Crafts: Summer 2017
1 of 4. Peggy Zalucha, Collage- Demo & Kids' Craft 2 of 4. Local Artist Demonstrations & Children’s Activity Station. Jane Rux, Rosemaling 3 of 4. Local Artist Demonstrations & Children’s Activity Station. David Sears, Wood turning. 4 of 4 Local Artist Demonstrations & Children’s Activity Station. John Pahias (of Center Ground Studios) will demonstrate the art of mixed metal sculpture. |
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Taboo Topics: Summer 2017
1. A History of Women & Body Hair 2. A History of Mental Illness presented with the Mt. Horeb Public Library 3. Life in a WWII Japanese Internment Camp presented with the Mt. Horeb Public Library 4. Rachel Monaco-Wilcox will present “Human Trafficking in Wisconsin" 5. The Paradox of Being a Black Police Officer |
A History of Woman & Body Hair
Office Corey Saffold, law enforcement professional in Madison discussed his experiences as a Black policeman.
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Life in a WWII Japanese Interment Camp
"Human Trafficking in Wisconsin"
A History of Mental Illness
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Grand Opening of Wisconsin’s newest cultural destination, the Driftless Historium.
The Driftless Historium will celebrate its debut with a multi-faceted, family-friendly, daylong open house, featuring a “Musical Time Warp” outdoor concert event. This three-part performance, made possible by a generous grant from the Mount Horeb Community Foundation, traverses the history of modern music—from the charged songs of the Civil War, to the irresistibly danceable age of swing, ending with the energetic and irrepressible anthems of the 1960s. Read more...
The Driftless Historium will celebrate its debut with a multi-faceted, family-friendly, daylong open house, featuring a “Musical Time Warp” outdoor concert event. This three-part performance, made possible by a generous grant from the Mount Horeb Community Foundation, traverses the history of modern music—from the charged songs of the Civil War, to the irresistibly danceable age of swing, ending with the energetic and irrepressible anthems of the 1960s. Read more...
Ground Breaking Ceremony at Grundahl Park.
The entire community was invited to join us in celebrating the ground breaking for our new Driftless Historium facility at Grundahl Park in Mount Horeb. See more pictures.....
The entire community was invited to join us in celebrating the ground breaking for our new Driftless Historium facility at Grundahl Park in Mount Horeb. See more pictures.....
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Check out this great video by UW-Madison's student marketing organization, Mu Kappa Tau. Thanks MKT! It is an excellent overview of The Driftless Historium project and the related Final Challenge capital campaign. (Music credit: bensound.com) |
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Mount Horeb Area Historical Society Board member Shirley Martin (left) accepts a $25,000 check from UW Provisions’ Jim Kalscheur (right), the third installment of the Kalscheur Family Foundation’s $100,000 pledge to the Southwestern Dane County Heritage Center capital campaign. Kalscheur kicked off the Society’s capital campaign as the first pledge toward the proposed facility. Join Kalscheur by sending in your 2014 pledge now.
The Madison Community Foundation awarded a grant for $25,000 to the Southwestern Dane County Heritage Center Capital Campaign (renamed the Driftless Historium).
The Heritage Center will be a 16,000 square foot interactive, cultural hub in downtown Mount Horeb.
The Heritage Center will be a 16,000 square foot interactive, cultural hub in downtown Mount Horeb.
MHAHS acquires former Troll Inn property and unveils expanded vision for future Heritage Center (Driftless Historium). Read more here...
The Society held a series of Heritage Center Project & Capital Campaign Community Listening Sessions across the region that we serve, including sessions in Mount Horeb, Town of Blue Mounds, Town of Perry, Town of Pine Bluff, Town of Vermont and the Town of Springdale. These events gathered the perspectives of interested residents to assist the Society in planning for a sustainable future. (Renamed the Driftless Historium)
ADULT PROGRAMS
Native American Flute-making Workshop. A unique cultural experience led by a knowledgeable Ho-Chunk instructor, held in a charming venue. Only 12 students accepted.
KIDS PROGRAMS
Historic Handicrafts at the Museum
The monthly events for children covered a wide variety of themes.
The monthly events for children covered a wide variety of themes.
Halloween pipe cleaner spiders
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Making quill pens
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Skilled trade- making cardboard guitars
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Felting Workshop taught by Cat and Crow and Mt. Horeb Area School District
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MHAHS hosted an "Dig Into History", an outdoor, drop-by interactive event designed to introduce kids to the concepts of archaeology. This also happened to be the same weekend of Mount Horeb Area Chamber of Commerce's annual and popular Art Fair, and we were happy to add a bit more variety to the day's cultural offerings. We were happy to include an informational booth on the archaeological investigations at nearby Donald Park provided by the Friends of Donal Park, a live demonstration by experienced flint knapper Gary Eldred and a "what's in my archaeology bag" tutorial by MHAHS President and actual archaeologist, Tony Zalucha. Close to 100 budding archaeologists and their guardians stopped by before a bout of scary weather closed us up early at 1:15pm. But we plan to be back next year, so see you then!
MHAHS hosts Civil War Camp for Kids. 30 young recruits, ages 8 to 12, from across the area signed up for a full day of marching in formation and military drills, a signal flag activity, soap "whittling," a lunch of genuine hard tack and beef jerky, and more!
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Nov. 2018 Matt Geiger Book Debut & Author Reading Extravaganza
Mount Horeb Mail news editor and author Matt Geiger unveiled his second book, Astonishing Tales!*
Astonishing Tales!*, a compendium of collected and never-before-published musings on the amazing aspects that present themselves within the context of everyday life. Geiger, who has a degree in philosophy, operates from the premise presented by Jorge Luis Borges, who says that the thing philosophers really seek, more than truth, more even than knowledge, is the opportunity to be amazed. His montage of personal stories documents this wide-eyed perspective on his own Neanderthal DNA, death, the holidays, dandelion, doppelgangers and much more.
Mount Horeb Mail news editor and author Matt Geiger unveiled his second book, Astonishing Tales!*
Astonishing Tales!*, a compendium of collected and never-before-published musings on the amazing aspects that present themselves within the context of everyday life. Geiger, who has a degree in philosophy, operates from the premise presented by Jorge Luis Borges, who says that the thing philosophers really seek, more than truth, more even than knowledge, is the opportunity to be amazed. His montage of personal stories documents this wide-eyed perspective on his own Neanderthal DNA, death, the holidays, dandelion, doppelgangers and much more.
Sept. 2018. Happy 100th Birthday Mount Horeb School! Open House & Birthday Party
Over 250 people joined us for an open house that included tours of the newly restored building and a chance to reminisce and share stories. Mount Horeb Primary Center. 207 Academy St, Mount Horeb, Wisconsin 53572
Over 250 people joined us for an open house that included tours of the newly restored building and a chance to reminisce and share stories. Mount Horeb Primary Center. 207 Academy St, Mount Horeb, Wisconsin 53572
Mount Horeb High School Art Show.
Dozens of works of art in a variety of mediums all by Mount Horeb High School students were displayed in the Kalscheur Family Foundation Community Education Room.
Dozens of works of art in a variety of mediums all by Mount Horeb High School students were displayed in the Kalscheur Family Foundation Community Education Room.
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Stewart Park Geology & Its Impact on Prehistory. Summer 2017.
What Does the Geology of Stewart Lake Park have to do with Native American Settlement Patterns and Stone Tool-Making Methods in the Upper Sugar River Watershed? A View from the Heights of Mount Horeb. |
Art Walk. Summer 2017. Reception and Raffle to follow at the Driftless Historium. Free to all!
Join us for the first Mount Horeb Art Walk, featuring 13 local artists at various Downtown businesses from 5-8 pm. Get your "Passport" signed by all of the artist on the map and get entered into a Raffle. Drawing will be held at the Driftless Historium from 8-9pm. Pick up your Art Walk Passport from any participating businesses, the Chamber of Commerce, or the Driftless Historium.
Join us for the first Mount Horeb Art Walk, featuring 13 local artists at various Downtown businesses from 5-8 pm. Get your "Passport" signed by all of the artist on the map and get entered into a Raffle. Drawing will be held at the Driftless Historium from 8-9pm. Pick up your Art Walk Passport from any participating businesses, the Chamber of Commerce, or the Driftless Historium.
MHAHS and Mount Horeb Landmarks Foundation co-host a Chamber Social at the charming Old District #1 Schoolhouse. A 1970's theme celebrated our Society's 40th anniversary of preserving and sharing the area's history.
MHAHS and Cave of the Mounds National Natural Landmark co-host "Then & Now" event in celebration of the Cave's 75th Anniversary as a tourist destination in the Cave Barn. A panel of former tour guides and people with family connections to the Cave's story were interviewed, with a slideshow of historic and modern photos and a "show and tell" of memorabilia also featured.
MHAHS arranges for Watertown, WI's renowned 1st Brigade Band to perform an entertaining and edifying free community concert, with original Civil War tunes, played on genuine Civil War-era instruments, by talented musicians in Civil War-era garb. An uncertain weather forecast meant a change in venue to the accommodating Mount Horeb High School Auditorium. Close to 200 attend.
"Barbers and Beauticians" new exhibit at the Mount Horeb Chamber of Commerce Welcome Center.
Open from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm weekdays and 10:00 am to 1:00 pm weekends.
Open from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm weekdays and 10:00 am to 1:00 pm weekends.
Scandihoovian Winter Festival: Annual celebration at Mount Horeb Area Museum.
2017 event: "1-2-3 Ski-Doo": We presented an exhibit of classic 1970 snowmobiles and clothing at our museum.
2018 - 2020 events included: Free apple cider and more. Book illustrator talk and Historium Cupcake Walk.
2018 Mount Horeb Art & Chocolate Walk
Join downtown Mount Horeb businesses for a Art and Chocolate Walk. Visit 10 local businesses who will be hosting a variety of Artist from around the area. And for the sweet tooth out there select location there will be offering chocolate. Visit all 10 locations and fill up your passport to be entered into a raffle drawing.
Join downtown Mount Horeb businesses for a Art and Chocolate Walk. Visit 10 local businesses who will be hosting a variety of Artist from around the area. And for the sweet tooth out there select location there will be offering chocolate. Visit all 10 locations and fill up your passport to be entered into a raffle drawing.