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  • Curator Conversations – Playing War: The Evolution of Military Toys in American Childhood

    Join Wisconsin Veterans Museum staff Greg Lawson and Mike Olson for an erudite discussion about the evolution of military toys in the American childhood from the tin soldiers of the 19th Century to the video games of the present. How military toys have affected the play of children, and how the play of children has affected the toys available. This event is sponsored by the Wisconsin Veterans Museum Foundation. REGISTER

    Free

  • MOVIE NIGHT: SAVING PRIVATE RYAN

    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 fourth virtual discussion, we will look at the 1998 film Saving Private Ryan, starring Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, Vin Diesel, and Tom Sizemore. In this fictional account of a Ranger unit sent behind enemy lines to locate a soldier, the humanity and perilous nature of war is brought into full view. This movie also includes one of the most accurate and realistic recreations of the D-Day landings captured on film. 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 September 25th, 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

    Free

  • VIRTUAL DRINK AND DRAW: UPSIDE DOWN DRAWING

    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. REGISTER

    Free

  • TALKING SPIRITS CEMETERY TOURS

    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.  

    Free

  • CURATOR CONVERSATIONS: THE LIFE OF A COLLECTION

    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.  REGISTER

    Free

  • TRIVIA NIGHT

    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

    Free

  • MOVIE NIGHT: APOCALYPSE NOW

    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

    Free

  • Army Aviation in Vietnam: Flying for an Assault Helicopter Company

    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 REGISTER

    Free

  • Wisconsin African Americans in the Civil War

    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. REGISTER

  • TRIVIA NIGHT

    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

  • Mess Night Logo

    VIRTUAL MESS NIGHT: HONORING THE HO-CHUNK WARRIOR

    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. REGISTER Sponsored by the Wisconsin Veterans Museum Foundation

    Free