Event Calendar

Historically fire was central in creating and maintaining an array of native communities in the Lake States and fire remains a critical management tool. Much of what we know of fire-maintained systems stem from European settlement General Land Office survey records and other historical accounts. While incredibly valuable these accounts are often sparse and limited…

Door County is renowned for its scenic and stunning coastlines. In the 19th century, what would become Wisconsin’s tourist playground was the scene of a bustling timber industry, with nearly 70 ports exporting timber, stone, and other goods. Most of these small ports have vanished into history, but some have left surprising echoes behind. Come…

From a set of postcards from 1917-1918 found in an attic in Manitowish, Wisconsin comes the story of a young lumberjack who was recruited to serve in the 10th Engineers in France during World War I. The presentation follows his experience and helps reveal the significant contribution of American lumberjacks sent to France to supply…

Charcoal is a traditional forest product and once was a crucial part of Wisconsin’s economy, providing fuel for many of the state’s iron furnaces. Production occurred in pits and kilns, using interesting methods and wood technology. There were hundreds of charcoal kilns of various types scattered across Wisconsin, mostly along railroads, and they became local…

Join us to learn more about Recollection Wisconsin, a centralized search and access portal for sharing the digital collections of over 260 partner organizations around the state of Wisconsin. With over 750,000 items from over 450 collections, there's something for everyone in Recollection Wisconsin! We'll also discuss how to add collections and organizations to the…

Time and Timber: A History of Gingerbread Clocks, 1850–1950 explores a century of American innovation in clockmaking through the lens of forest resources and design evolution. This presentation traces the development of the iconic gingerbread clock—from elaborately carved Victorian showpieces to widely accessible household timekeepers—highlighting how native hardwoods and emerging manufacturing techniques shaped their production.…

Dillinger at Little Bohemia John Dillinger accompanied by nine others checked in at Little Bohemia for rest and escape from the ever vigilant eyes of law enforcement. They were told that this was a place where no one would ever find them. As the weekend unfolds one of the most historic moments in gangster and…

This presentation explores how the chainsaw revolutionized the logging industry and found its way out of the forests. Loggers were the first to acquire chainsaws for personal use around their farms and homesteads. As the tool was refined over the years, it was adopted for other uses in art, war, sport, conservation, entertainment, and numerous…

Join wildlife biologist Richard P. Thiel for an engaging exploration of Wisconsin’s wolves—past and present. This presentation will trace the natural history of the species, examine the ecological principles of predation specific to wolves, and offer a thoughtful overview of wolf management in Wisconsin. Beginning with the bounty era of the 1920s–1950s, Thiel will illuminate…

A presentation about the book "Timber!" by Susan Apps-Bodilly and co-written with Jerry Apps. This book, suitable for young readers and people of all ages, recounts the history of logging in the Midwest through the era of reforestation. The book also includes ways to appreciate and care for our forest lands today. Susan will also…