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MUSEUM

Intro to the Wisconsin Veterans Museum
Founded by Civil War veterans in 1901, the Wisconsin Veterans Museum has grown from a small room in the State Capitol building filled with Civil War artifacts to an award winning museum that preserves and shares the stories of Wisconsin veterans from the Civil War to the present through exhibits, programs, and other educational activities. Learn more about this vital Wisconsin institution and some of the stories it preserves in this presentation.

CIVIL WAR

Faces of the Iron Brigade
Comprised of men from the 2nd, 6th, and 7th Wisconsin Infantry Regiments, as well as the 19th Indiana and 24th Michigan, the “Iron Brigade” earned its reputation as one of the fiercest fighting units in the Union Army. Though their battlefield exploits are well recorded in history, the part that is sometimes overlooked is the human element of the men behind the heroic name. Thought artifacts, images, and firsthand accounts, “Faces of the Iron Brigade” will shed light on the humanity of the men who made history.

Wisconsin Was There in the Civil War
Wisconsinites served in all theaters of the Civil War. This presentation focuses on three lesser-known Wisconsin Civil War stories tied to important Civil War events: the 8th Wisconsin in the Vicksburg Campaign, Arthur MacArthur at Missionary Ridge, and William Cushing sinking CSS Albemarle in North Carolina.

Brave and Enduring Soldiers: Civil War Service of the Green Bay Tribes
Despite broken treaties, decades of mistreatment, and occasional open conflict with the US government, thousands of Native Americans joined the Union Army during the Civil War. This presentation looks at the participation of men from three Wisconsin tribes (Menominee, Oneida, and Stockbridge-Munsee) and examines their contributions and reasons for fighting.

WORLD WAR I

Beyond the Trenches: Wisconsin Stories from World War I
Wisconsin went to war reluctantly in 1917, but by the Armistice in 1918 the Badger State’s veterans made important contributions to Allied victory. The war left an important legacy visible in the Wisconsin National Guard and at various places on the state’s geography. This talk will examine the war through the accounts and stories of Wisconsin veterans on land, sea, and air.

WORLD WAR II

Wisconsin Was There: D-Day
On June 6, 1944, what is today perhaps one of the most well-known battles of the 20th century, the Allies conducted the largest amphibious assault in human history. The outcome of that and the following days, ultimately led to victory in Europe. Servicemembers from all across Wisconsin were involved in the events of that day and this talk explores their stories.

Douglas MacArthur As Leader
Wisconsin’s Douglas MacArthur was one of World War II’s dominant personalities. He fought longer in the Pacific than virtually any other officer, winning important victories. This talk will examine his leadership style and his key battles from 1941 to 1945.

Leadership Lessons from the Battle of the Bulge
The Ardennes Offensive (aka the Battle of the Bulge) in December 1944 was the largest battle ever fought by the US Army. Using case studies from the battle and the museum’s exhibits, this talk explores important lessons for leaders of any organization.

KOREAN WAR

The Korean War: An Overview
Korea was an active battleground between 1950 and 1953, in a conflict that was the first United Nations war. This presentation will give an overview of the war, its context, and relevance today.

 ORAL HISTORY

Wisconsin Veterans Tell Their Stories
The Wisconsin Veterans Museum has one of the largest veterans’ oral history collections in the United States. This program features unique audio and video content from Wisconsin veterans in the collection. This brief overview is meant to familiarize the public with our oral history program and oral history in general.

 GENEALOGY

Finding Those Who Served: Military Genealogy
Do you have a veteran in your family tree? In this presentation, learn about sources, tips, and tricks that you can use to learn about your military ancestor from the Civil War to the present. Presentations below focus on a particular conflict.