In the summer of 1921, a group of fliers led by Wisconsin’s Billy Mitchell proved in a series of tests that warships could be sunk solely from the air. This development influenced many developments up to and including World War II and beyond. WVM’s Chris Kolakowski and Kevin Hampton will explore the tests, their impact, and their legacies. This event is free and suitable for all ages. Program funding made possible by the Wisconsin Veterans Museum Foundation through the generous support of Generac Power Systems. 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. For July, we will be looking at the 2019 powerhouse, The Last Full Measure, starring Sebastian Stan, William Hurt, Samuel L. Jackson, and Christopher Plummer. Set in the decades after the Vietnam War, DoD staffer Scott Huffman is assigned to investigate a request for a Medal of Honor award. Learning the truth is sometimes difficult, yet what is discovered will not only change Huffman’s life, but the lives of others. Your mission is to watch the movie, which is available from most libraries or on streaming services (we will not be watching the movie the night of the program), while thinking about the discussion questions we will provide you. On July 30, 2021, 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.  Age Appropriate: This event is suitable for mature audiences as there is strong language and war violence throughout  Program funding made possible by the Wisconsin Veterans Museum Foundation through the generous support of Generac Power Systems. REGISTER HERE

The concert and panel discussion are free and suitable for all ages. 5:15 - 6 pm : Concert at the top of State Street. Open to the public, bring your own seating. 6:30 - 8:00 pm : Panel Discussion with the musicians. Please register in advance on Eventbrite due to limited seating at the museum. REGISTER HERE Live music is back and the Wisconsin Veterans Museum will host a free, outdoor concert at the top of State Street to preview the release of the album, The Last Thing We Ever Do (bring your own seating) followed by a public panel discussion (free; register in advance on Eventbrite) with the musicians. The album is a collection of songs based on first-hand testimony of Vietnam veterans about their experiences. The panel will explore their creative process and the healing that art activities can bring about. Inspired by first-hand testimony, Vietnam-era veterans and professional songwriters created the songs and studio musicians gave them voice resulting in the 14-song album, The Last Thing We Ever Do.  The origins of the project begin with Vietnam vets sharing their experiences at retreats like Warrior Songs where veterans heal through the creative arts, personal conversations, and interviews. Topics range from combat and the draft to reintegration and moral injury. Panelist: Jason Moon, founder and executive director of Warrior Songs; Yvette Pino, Iraq war veteran and curator of veteran art for the Museum; Doug Bradley, Madison Vietnam veteran and co-author of We Gotta Get Out of This Place: The Soundtrack of the Vietnam War; Jake Froelke, songwriter and musician. He and Bradley collaborated on “Look Out Sam,” one of the songs on the album which emphasizes the significance of music to troops in Vietnam. The Last Thing We Ever Do is produced by Wisconsin native and Iraq vet Jason Moon of Warrior Songs, a Madison-based nonprofit which brings hope and healing to veterans through music and the creative arts. Warrior’s second volume, Women at War, was awarded album of the year by the Wisconsin Area Music Industry in 2019. *Copies of The Last Thing We Ever Do will be provided free to veterans who attend the event. The program is presented by the Wisconsin Veterans Museum Foundation with the support of Madison's Central Business Improvement District.

Of all the fighter planes fielded by the Western Allies over Europe in World War II, which one has the greatest impact? Join Museum Director Chris Kolakowski, Curator of Exhibits Greg Krueger, and Curator of History Kevin Hampton for a panel discussion and consideration of two nominees: the RAF’s Spitfire and the USAAF’s P-51. This event is free and suitable for all ages. Program funding made possible by the Wisconsin Veterans Museum Foundation through the generous support of Generac Power Systems. REGISTER HERE

Please join us for the return of our quarterly ‘Mess Night’ series to the Wisconsin Veterans Museum. This event features our popular dinner and lecture, presented by author and Civil War historian David Powell. Mr. Powell will be speaking about Wisconsin soldiers and the impact they had on the battle of Chickamauga. Two brigade commanders were from Wisconsin, John C. Starkweather of Milwaukee, who was wounded; and the Norwegian Immigrant Hans Heg, who was mortally wounded. Several hard-fighting regiments contributed to the desperate fighting that characterized the battle, often facing heavy odds. This talk will highlight those important contributions to the Union cause at Chickamauga. Each MESS NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM features a guest speaker, topic, dinner, drinks, and time to socialize before and after the talk. Registration will be required before the event. Join us as we transform this historic naval tradition into our own. Please register in advance. $38 MEMBERS |  $46 NON-MEMBERS | $30 STUDENTS (W/ID) REGISTER HERE This event is sponsored by the Wisconsin Veterans Museum Foundation. and is suitable for all ages.

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. Paths of Glory will be our feature for May, which follows the story of 3 World War I soldiers who refuse to continue on an impossible mission, and their commanding officer who takes up their defense during their court-martial. Starring Kurt Douglas, George Macready, Ralph Meeker, and Adolphe Menjou, this Stanley Kubrick classic is ranked as one of the best war films of all time. Your mission is to watch the movie, which is available from most libraries or on streaming services (we will not be watching the movie the night of the program), while thinking about the discussion questions we will provide you. On August 27, 2021, 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.   Age Appropriate: This event is suitable for mature audiences as it depicts war violence.   Program funding made possible by the Wisconsin Veterans Museum Foundation through the generous support of Generac Power Systems.  REGISTER HERE