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The Wisconsin Historical Society's Wisconsin History Tour, a statewide outreach program, opens at the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library in downtown Eau Claire May 2, 2015. The Wisconsin History Tour: Sharing Wisconsin's Stories One Community at a Time centers on a handcrafted traveling exhibit and history-related programming that offers a sampling of the history and stories that the Society has been gathering since its founding in 1846. The exhibit will be on display at the library, 400 Eau Claire St, through May 30.
History comes alive with special programming May 12-16, when the Tour brings authors, genealogists, archivists, architects, and archeologists to present special programs for all ages that include: genealogy workshops, lunchtime history discussions, a "Your Stuff, Your Story" opportunity to share items from your own past and collections, and a May 14 "History Happy Hour" at the Joynt in Eau Claire.
Programming week kicks off May 12 with a Writers Forum featuring the Wisconsin Historical Society Press authors: Michael Perry, Jerry Apps, and John Hildebrand. The best-selling trio joins literary forces at 10 a.m. at the Eau Claire Regional Arts Center (The State Theater) in Eau Claire. The free forum will focus on how writers capture a "sense of place" and write about personal history and experiences in captivating ways. The panel discussion will include time for audience Q&A. Eau Claire's The Local Store will host an on-site book signing at the Regional Arts Center featuring each author's Society Press and other titles immediately following the Forum. The Writer's Forum is free, but reservations by May 8 are suggested through the Wisconsin Historical Foundation at wihist.org/writersforum5-12-15
The writing discussion will continue less formally at the L.E. Phillips library across the street and during a post-forum Authors Meet & Mingle, cohosted by the library and the Wisconsin Historical Society, from Noon to 1 p.m., featuring Eau Claire area and Society Press authors. Tour Host and Wisconsin Historical Society Director of Outreach Jim Draeger will then officially open the week of programming with an exhibit tour at 1 p.m.
Among events scheduled for the rest of the Eau Claire Tour stop are stories of the "real" Paul Bunyan, Blaze Orange: a hunting history discussion, genealogy workshops, mysteries of pre-history Wisconsin, newspaper history, a crafting history session with clay for kids of all ages, the story of Eau Claire's rugged and inspirational Doctor Kate, a Green Bay Packers book talk with sportscaster and author Jessie Garcia, and more! Find schedule details on the Tour web site at www.wisconsinhistorytour.org, and watch the site for further updates.
After its Eau Claire stop, the Tour heads to Superior, Waukesha and beyond in 2015-16. To learn more about the Tour, visit the Wisconsin History Tour website at www.wisconsinhistorytour.org.
The Wisconsin History Tour is generously underwritten in part by the Kohler Trust for Preservation with additional support from the Judd S. Alexander Foundation, Bemis Company Foundation, BMO Harris Bank, Culver's, Greater Green Bay Community Foundation, Green Bay Packers Foundation, Hilbert Communications, Murco Fund, Plenco, Racine Community Foundation, Racine Rotary Foundation and We Energies Foundation. Promotional support is provided by American Printing and Wisconsin Public Radio.
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