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. REGISTER HERE

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. REGISTER HERE

As a Smithsonian Affiliate, the Wisconsin Veterans Museum is proud to share this program with you. Dr. Margaret Weitekamp has researched and written on how a groundswell of support helped create a Lego set representing women’s contributions to aerospace. Join us for a discussion of how women have worked from the very beginning of aviation to innovate, and how museums have documented their stories. Featuring:  Margaret Weitekamp, PhD, Curator and Department Chair, Space History Department, National Air and Space Museum REGISTER HERE

From ill-fitting compromises to designer couture, the quest for uniformity with male counterparts has been almost as great of a struggle as the desire for women to serve. The museum staff will discuss the military uniform designs and regulations for women in service from WWI to present and they will examine the strengths and weakness of this evolution. REGISTER HERE

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. With Vietnam Veterans Day right around the corner (March 29), we will be discussing the gritty war drama Platoon (1986), starring Charlie Sheen, Willem Dafoe, Tom Berenger, John C. McGinley, and Forest Whitaker. Set in 1967, a young man leaves college and enlists in the U.S. Army for duty in Vietnam. Quickly disillusioned of his idealistic attitude toward the conflict, he faces the reality and horrors of war and man in this Academy Award winning film by Oliver Stone. 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 March 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. 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 HERE