Wisconsin Veterans Museum

Trivia Night
2021-03-16 19:00 - 20:00, 2021-02-16 19:00 - 20:00, 2021-01-19 19:00 - 20:00 UTC | Online, WI, United States
Join us for our virtual trivia night and test your historical knowledge. Sign up as individuals or as a team and go head to head with other players. This free event will be based on 3 rounds of trivia, with each round focusing on topics such as: history, pop culture, names and places, events, and fun facts! For this virtual trivia night, we will be using the Kahoot! app. This app will allow for the multiple choice questions we will use during each round. Simply log onto Kahoot.it the night of the event (either through your mobile device or on a separate browser tab) and we will provide the access code…nothing to download and easy to use. Lots of fun will be had by all and prizes are given to the top 3 players/teams.
REGISTER HERE

Virtual Drink & Draw March
2021-03-12 19:00 - 20:00 UTC | Online, WI, United States
Join us for Virtual Drink & Draw where our artist in-residence is joined by talented guest artists who lead you through a delightful drawing experience inspired by images from the Wisconsin Veterans Museum collection. These sessions will focus on aspects of uniforms, to include camouflage, headgear, and badges and insignia. Gather your supplies, pour yourself a beverage, and bring your artistic energy as we spend the evening together stretching our creative muscles. This event is free of charge and open to anyone who registers. The program is suitable for all ages and is sponsored by the Wisconsin Veterans Museum Foundation.
REGISTER HERE

Historic Self-Guided Walking Tour of Madison
2021-03-11 - 2021-11-22 | Online, WI, United States
Get outside, go for a walk, and learn about the places in Madison connected to our state’s rich military history. The “Madison’s Every Place Has a Story Walking Tour” has 19 stops around the city and was created by the Wisconsin Veterans Museum staff. Along the tour you can read the about the historic stops, and view photographs from the museum collection.
The tour can be accessed through Clio here. For the most dynamic experience the museum staff recommends users download The Clio – Your Guide to History app, available on Android and iOS.
Clio is an educational website and mobile application that guides the public to thousands of historical and cultural sites throughout the United States. Tours on Clio are built by scholars for public benefit. The application and tour are free and can be accessed at anytime, onsite or remotely.
Access the tour here.

“I was Anxious to Go”: Women and the Military
2021-03-08 12:00 - 13:00 UTC | Online, WI, United States
Join a discussion of women veterans in service as taken from their personal letters, diaries, and reminiscences, and what service meant to them at the time and later in their lives. Jennifer Van Haaften, assistant director, and Brittany Strobel, processing archivist, will share these stories from the Wisconsin Veterans Museum archives.
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Curator Conversation: The 30th Anniversary of Operation Desert Storm
2021-03-01 12:00 - 13:00 UTC | Online, WI, United States
On this 30th anniversary, join director Chris Kolakowski and curator of history Kevin Hampton for a special Curator Conversations as they explore the strategies and Wisconsin stories of the 42-day air campaign and the 100-hour land war.
Thirty years ago, on February 24, 1991, the final phase of Operation Desert Storm began with the launch of a massive coalition ground offensive after 39 continuous days of air attacks. By March 1, 1991 a ceasefire was declared and the war was effectively over.
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Movie Night and Virtual Discussion – A Soldier’s Story
2021-02-26 19:00 - 20:00 UTC | Online, WI, United States
Grab some popcorn and a seat in your favorite chair, and join us for a Movie Night and Virtual Discussion with the Wisconsin Veterans Museum Staff. While we can’t all be together, we can share discussion on major motion pictures that deal with the hardships, humor, and horrors of combat. In honor of African-American History month, we’ll take a look at the hard-hitting, World War II drama A Soldier’s Story, starring Howard E. Rollins Jr., Adolph Caesar, David Alan Grier, Robert Townsend, and Denzel Washington. Set in Louisiana during World War II, this film tells the story of a murdered Black Master Sergeant and the tough Army Captain sent to investigate the crime. Dealing with issues of race, prejudice, and segregation, this gripping drama is a must see for movie and history fans alike. Your mission is to watch the movie, which is available from most libraries or on streaming services, while thinking about the discussion questions we will provide you. On February 26th, at 7:00 pm we’ll all meet via Zoom for a discussion led by museum staff. We will cover themes such as conflict, politics, pop culture, the military, and movie-making.
REGISTER HERE

Virtual Drink & Draw February
2021-02-12 19:00 - 20:00 UTC | Online, WI, United States
We always enjoy sharing Valentines Day with all of you, and even though we cannot be together in person, we can still remember our loved ones in a special and unique way. This February, we will focus on drawing a portrait of a service member in uniform using colored pencils and you can take your learned skills and create a handmade Valentine for someone you love. Find the reference images for this session here.
For this event any kind of colored pencils will do, but if you are wondering which pencils the instructor prefers, it’s the Prismacolor Premier colored pencils with the colorless blender.
This event is free of charge and open to anyone who registers. The program is suitable for all ages and is sponsored by the Wisconsin Veterans Museum Foundation.
REGISTER HERE

Movie Night and Virtual Discussion – Dr. Strangelove
2021-01-29 19:00 - 20:00 UTC | Online, WI, United States
Grab some popcorn and a seat in your favorite chair, and join us for a Movie Night and Virtual Discussion with the Wisconsin Veterans Museum Staff. While we can’t all be together, we can share discussion on major motion pictures that deal with the hardships, humor, and horrors of combat. For our first Movie Night Discussion of the 2021, we’ll start with the dark humor masterpiece from Stanley Kubrick, Dr. Strangelove or How I learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb. This cult classic tells the story of an insane general bent on starting a nuclear war and the bizarre war room of politicians and generals trying to stop him. The star-studded cast includes Peter Sellers (playing 3 different roles), George C. Scott, Sterling Hayden, Slim Pickens, and James Earl Jones.
Your mission is to watch the movie, which is available from most libraries or on streaming services, while thinking about the discussion questions we will provide you. On January 29th, at 7:00 pm we’ll all meet via Zoom for a discussion led by museum staff. We will cover themes such as conflict, politics, pop culture, the military, and movie-making.
REGISTER HERE

Curator Conversations: Rock Force, a Book by Kevin Maurer
2021-01-28 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | Online, WI, United States
Tune in for a Curator Conversation with award-winning journalist and bestselling author Kevin Maurer. He’ll be talking about his latest book, Rock Force, a play-by-play of the ten days it took for U.S. troops to win back Corregidor. The story transports readers back to the heady days of WWII and into the fire with a tough-as-nails regiment of Army paratrooper working together to pull off the impossible. This event is free and presented by the Wisconsin Veterans Museum Foundation.
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Mess Night - The 32nd ‘Red Arrow’ Division
2021-01-21 19:00 - 20:00 UTC | Online, WI, United States
In this lecture, World War I historian Dr. Edward Lengel looks at the exploits of the Red Arrow Division in World War I, emphasizing what the war was like from the perspective of the men who fought it.
The 32nd ‘Red Arrow’ Division, based on the Wisconsin and Michigan National Guard, was one of the premiere fighting units of the American Expeditionary Forces in World War I. It was one of the first American divisions to see combat in the summer of 1918, and developed a sterling reputation in battles that climaxed in August at the shell-torn French village of Fismes. In October, the division was deployed to the toughest and most important part of the lines in the gigantic Meuse-Argonne offensive, eventually cracking the central German stronghold at the Heights of Cunel and Romagne and so assuring eventual American victory.
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Workshop: How to Use PastPerfect 5.0 for Cataloging Oral Histories
2021-01-11 12:00 - 14:00 UTC | Online, WI, United States
Wisconsin Veterans Museum Oral Historian Luke Sprague teaches a course on how to use PastPerfect 5.0 for cataloging oral histories.
REGISTER HERE

Virtual Drink & Draw January
2021-01-08 19:00 - 20:00 UTC | Online, WI, United States
There’s nothing better than starting the new year with a little dazzle. Join us for January’s Virtual Drink & Draw where we will have fun experimenting with the shapes and colors of Dazzle Camouflage inspired by a crazy, but genius attempt to protect ships from deadly submarine warfare in WWI. No experience is necessary. Gather your supplies, pour yourself a beverage, and bring your artistic energy as we spend the evening together stretching our creative muscles.
Images and a supply list can be found here: https://wisvetsmuseum.com/blog/january-2021-virtual-drink-draw/ This event is free of charge and open to anyone who registers.
The program is suitable for all ages and is sponsored by the Wisconsin Veterans Museum Foundation.
REGISTER HERE

Movie Night and Virtual Discussion – Joyeux Noel (2005)
2020-12-18 19:00 - 20:00 UTC | Online, WI, United States
Grab some popcorn and a seat in your favorite chair. This month we’re discussing the 2005 film, Joyeux Noel. This holiday favorite recounts the extraordinary events of Christmas Day, 1914, when the guns fell silent and two armies met in no-man’s land to share gifts, sing songs, and take time to recognize brotherhood during Christmas.
Your mission is to watch the movie, which is available from most libraries or on streaming services, while thinking about the discussion questions we will provide you. On December 18th, at 7:00 pm we’ll all meet via Zoom for a discussion led by museum staff. We will cover themes such as conflict, politics, pop culture, the military, and moviemaking.
After you register, we will email you the discussion questions and instructions to join virtual discussion via Zoom. This event is free and open to the public and is presented by the Wisconsin Veterans Museum Foundation.
Please Note: This event may not be suitable for younger audiences as this film contains some graphic war violence, brief nudity, and is of a mature subject matter.
REGISTER HERE

Trivia Night
2020-12-15 19:00 - 20:00 UTC | Online, WI, United States
Join us for our virtual trivia night and test your historical knowledge. Sign up as individuals or as a team and go head to head with other players from around the state. This free event will be based on 4 rounds of trivia, with each round focusing on topics associated with Wisconsin military history, to include: history, pop culture, names and places, events, and fun facts!
For this virtual trivia night, we will be using the Kahoot! app. This app will allow for the multiple choice questions we will use during each round. Simply log onto Kahoot.it the night of the event (either through your mobile device or on a separate browser tab) and we will provide the access code…nothing to download and easy to use. Lots of fun will be had by all and prizes are given to the top 3 players/teams.
REGISTER HERE

Curator Conversations: Deployed for the Holidays
2020-12-14 12:00 - 13:00 UTC | Online, WI, United States
While it’s true that “there’s no place like home for the holidays,” those on military deployments don’t always get to experience that enjoyment for the holiday season. For some, the holidays are like any other day on deployment, while others are able to find some sense of normalcy amidst whatever traditions they can keep while away from home. Join the Wisconsin Veterans Museum staff as they share their favorite stories from the collection about the holidays during deployment. This event is sponsored by the Wisconsin Veterans Museum Foundation and is suitable for all ages.

Virtual Drink & Draw: Holiday Greetings
2020-12-11 19:00 - 20:00 UTC | Online, WI, United States
It looks like we will all be staying home this year for the Holiday Season so what better way to share festive tidings of cheer than to create some homemade greetings? Join us for a special Holiday Drink & Draw where we will sip eggnog and make things merry and bright. At the end of the night we will offer recommendations for sending some cheer to our men and women serving in our military. No experience is necessary. Gather your supplies, pour yourself a beverage, and bring your artistic energy as we spend the evening together stretching our creative muscles. This event is free of charge and open to anyone who registers. This event is presented by the Wisconsin Veterans Museum Foundation. This event is suitable for all ages.
You can find the images we’ll use here: https://wisvetsmuseum.com/blog/december-virtual-drink-draw/
REGISTER HERE

Vietnam: The Indochina Wars, 1945-1975
2020-11-30 12:00 - 13:00 UTC | WI
What we know today as “the Vietnam War” was actually part of a broader series of conflicts over three decades that emerged in French Indochina after World War II. Increasing United States involvement over the years culminated in a major war from 1965 to 1973 – the effects of which are still felt today.
Join Museum Director Chris Kolakowski and Curator of History Kevin Hampton as they explore this story, from the surrender of Japan to the Fall of Saigon.
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Movie Night: 1917
2020-11-27 19:00 - 20:00 UTC | WI
Grab some popcorn and a seat in your favorite chair, and join us for a Movie Night and Virtual Discussion with the Wisconsin Veterans Museum Staff. While we can’t all be together, we can share discussion on major motion pictures that deal with the hardships, humor, and horrors of combat. For this virtual discussion, we will look at the 2019 film 1917, starring George MacKay, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Dean-Charles Chapman. In a desperate race to deliver a message that could save thousands of troops during World War I, two British soldiers must brave danger and cross into enemy territory. This event may not be suitable for younger audiences as this film contains graphic war violence, language, and is of a mature subject matter.
Your mission is to watch the movie, which is available from most libraries or on streaming services, while thinking about the discussion questions we will provide you. On November 27th, at 7:00 pm we’ll all meet via Zoom for a discussion led by museum staff. We will cover themes such as conflict, politics, pop culture, the military, and movie-making.
After you register, we will email you the discussion questions. This event is free and open to the public.
REGISTER
Sponsored by the Wisconsin Veterans Museum Foundation

VIRTUAL MESS NIGHT: HONORING THE HO-CHUNK WARRIOR
2020-11-19 19:00 - 20:00 UTC | WI
Please join us for our first Virtual Mess Night on November 19, 2020 at 7:00 pm. While we can’t all get together for a fantastic meal yet, we can welcome Professor Tom Jones from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Professor Jones will be speaking about his experiences with the Memorial Day celebrations of Ho-Chunk Veterans, a project that he has been involved with since 1998. Professor Jones is a Ho-Chunk member and his specialty lies in the photographic documenting of Native American Warriors, which he connects to their pride in home, family, and community. He joins a growing group of Native photographers who are expanding the portrayals of Native people with insider perspectives.
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Sponsored by the Wisconsin Veterans Museum Foundation

TRIVIA NIGHT
2020-11-17 19:00 - 20:00 UTC | WI
Join us Tuesday, November 17th for Trivia Night and test your historical knowledge. Sign up as individuals or as a team and go head to head with other players from around the state. This free event will be based on 4 rounds of trivia, with each round focusing on topics associated with Wisconsin military history, to include: history, pop culture, names and places, events, and fun facts.
For this virtual trivia night, you will need to download the Kahoot! app. This app will allow for the multiple choice questions we will use during each round. Simply log onto Kahoot! the night of the event and we will provide the access code. There is nothing to download and it’s easy to use. Lots of fun will be had by all and prizes are given to the top 3 players/teams.
This event is an educational component of the Wisconsin Veterans Museum and is made possible by the Wisconsin Veterans Museum Foundation.
REGISTER

Wisconsin African Americans in the Civil War
2020-11-10 19:00 - 20:00 UTC | WI
Join us for a special Curator Conversation: Make Way for Liberty—A Conversation about Wisconsin African Americans in the Civil War with ‘Make Way for Liberty’ author Jeffrey Kannel and Wisconsin Veteran Museum staff Kevin Hampton, curator of history, Christopher Kolakowski, museum director, and museum board member Nathaniel T. Millsap, Jr, USN Ret. The event is cohosted by the Wisconsin Veterans Museum Foundation and Wisconsin Historical Society Press.
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Army Aviation in Vietnam: Flying for an Assault Helicopter Company
2020-11-02 12:00 - 13:00 UTC | WI
Join Vietnam Huey pilot Mr. Richard Berry as he discusses his experiences during the Vietnam War. Mr. Berry will use the numerous photos he took during his tour and data from his flight records to describe 1st Cavalry Division airmobile operations and air assault tactics employed during the Vietnam War. This presentation will not only focus on Mr. Berry’s experiences, but will also recognize the service of the many crew chiefs, door gunners and pilots who operated Army helicopters during the war.
Sponsored by the Wisconsin Veterans Museum Foundation
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MOVIE NIGHT: APOCALYPSE NOW
2020-10-30 19:00 - 20:00 UTC | WI
Grab some popcorn and a seat in your favorite chair, and join us for a Movie Night and Virtual Discussion with the Wisconsin Veterans Museum Staff. While we can’t all be together, we can share discussion on major motion pictures that deal with the hardships, humor, and horrors of combat. For this virtual discussion, we will look at the 1979 film Apocalypse Now, starring Martin Sheen, Marlin Brando, Robert Duvall, and Laurence Fishburne. In this gripping and often surreal Vietnam War tale, an Army Captain is sent upriver to terminate the command of a once-revered Colonel. This event may not be suitable for younger audiences as this film contains graphic war violence, language, and is of a mature subject matter.
Your mission is to watch the movie, which is available from most libraries or on streaming services, while thinking about the discussion questions we will provide you. On October 30th, at 7:00 pm we’ll all meet via Zoom for a discussion led by museum staff. We will cover themes such as conflict, politics, pop culture, the military, and movie-making.
After you register, we will email you the discussion questions and a link to join the virtual discussion via Zoom. This event is free and open to the public.
REGISTER
Sponsored by the Wisconsin Veterans Museum Foundation

TRIVIA NIGHT
2020-10-20 19:00 - 20:00 UTC | WI
Join us Tuesday, October 20th for Trivia Night and test your historical knowledge. Sign up as individuals or as a team and go head to head with other players from around the state. This free event will be based on 4 rounds of trivia, with each round focusing on topics associated with Wisconsin military history, to include: history, pop culture, names and places, events, and fun facts.
For this virtual trivia night, you will need to download the Kahoot! app. This app will allow for the multiple choice questions we will use during each round. Simply log onto Kahoot.it the night of the event and we will provide the access code…nothing to download and it’s easy to use. Lots of fun will be had by all and prizes are given to the top 3 players/teams.
This event is an educational component of the Wisconsin Veterans Museum and is made possible by the Wisconsin Veterans Museum Foundation.
REGISTER

CURATOR CONVERSATIONS: THE LIFE OF A COLLECTION
2020-10-19 12:00 - 13:00 UTC | WI
Have you ever wondered about the inner workings of a museum? You can find out during this session with staff from the Wisconsin Veterans Museum. Archivists Brittany Strobel and Russ Horton, and oral historian Luke Sprague will share how collections are received, assessed, documented, cataloged, and accessed. The staff also will answer any questions you have; submit them via email at visitor.curator@dva.wisconsin.gov or during the event via the Zoom chat function.
Sponsored by the Wisconsin Veterans Museum Foundation.
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TALKING SPIRITS CEMETERY TOURS
2020-10-15 08:00 - 2020-12-31 17:00 UTC | WI
CEMETERY TOURS GO 360 THIS YEAR
Because we want to keep everyone safe and healthy during the pandemic, we will not be presenting in-person cemetery tours this year. While we agree that this change is a disappointment, the museum staff will present Talking Spirits Cemetery Tours: Myths and Realities through a 360-degree virtual tour of Forest Hill Cemetery on Madison’s near west side.
Click here to take the tour. All you need to view the tour is internet access, and a computer, tablet, or smart phone; no special applications are required. You can view the tour at any time and as many times as you like. Access is free.

VIRTUAL DRINK AND DRAW: UPSIDE DOWN DRAWING
2020-10-09 19:00 - 20:00 UTC | Online, WI, United States
The world is turned upside down so let’s draw it that way! Drawing upside-down is an easy exercise to help you develop your ability to recognize shapes and lines in a picture. Here’s your opportunity to be an “artist-in- residence” at our virtual Drink and Draw. We will lead you through a delightful drawing experience inspired by images from the Wisconsin Veterans Museum collection. Gather your supplies, pour yourself a beverage, and bring your artistic energy as we spend the evening together stretching our creative muscles. This event is free of charge and open to anyone who registers. We will send you a link to join the event after you register.
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Curator Conversations - Finding Those Who Served: Military Genealogy at the Wisconsin Veterans Museum
2020-10-05 12:00 - 13:00 UTC | WI
Join the Archives Department at the Wisconsin Veterans Museum and find out how WVM can help you learn more about the veterans in your family tree.
This is a free virtual panel discussion presented by the Wisconsin Veterans Museum Foundation via Zoom.
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