Wisconsin Hometown Stories

19th-century Wisconsin is depicted on the Wisconsin Historical Society site. Pioneer spirit is richly represented in buildings, costumes and people's reenacted tasks of the period. Triumphs, innovations and struggles are highlighted.

Because of its strategic location between the Saint Lawrence and Mississippi rivers, many indigenous tribes passed through Portage to trade furs, first with the French, then the British and finally the Americans. Portage Memories is a celebration of the character of a town, its residents and the stories they have to tell about their past as a mirror of the entire state.

Since its early days, when settlers arrived to stake their claims on the fertile river valley, Janesville has evolved into a city rich in history and culture.

Wisconsin Hometown Stories: Green Bay follows the growth of the city at the mouth of the Fox River from its early days to the present.

La Crosse was able to develop into one of Wisconsin’s largest cities because of a favorable conjunction of geographical facts. First is the breadth of fairly level ground between the river channel and the bluffs. It is wider here than in most places on the Wisconsin side of the Mississippi and, although divided by the La Crosse River and extensive wetlands, the prairie had room for a city to grow.

The 30-minute program explores the large, diverse collection of historical organizations in and around Green Bay and uncovers the people who were influential in protecting the area's past.

The program includes tales of shipwrecks and life-saving operations, the development and proliferation of wooden type and aluminum manufacturing, the region's participation in the World War II home front effort and the emergence and growth of new businesses in recent decades.

Follow the history of Wausau from its milling origins to today's vibrant Central Wisconsin community, built on the ambitions and pride of its residents. Film, archival images and interviews with historians and residents tell the stories of Wausau's early settlement, the transformative impact of investors called "The Wausau Group" and the city's tradition of building local cultural institutions.

Shaped by its glacial geography, its earliest native residents and immigrant settlers, the story of Juneau County is filled with perseverance, innovation, leadership and heroism. Film, archival images and interviews with historians, local citizens and experts tell the unique stories of Juneau County’s distinct places, and the role its people have played in the development of Wisconsin.

Find innovation and civic pride in this city on the Fox River and Lake Winnebago. Named for the Menominee Chief who worked to keep his people on their native lands, Oshkosh's history has been shaped by its industrial spirit, fierce battles for social justice and its citizens' creativity. Film, archival images, aerial footage and interviews tell the unique stories of Oshkosh and its people.

Formed on the edge of the Niagara Escarpment, Door County's history has been guided both by its glacial geography and by its earliest native inhabitants and European settlers who were drawn by rich hunting and fishing resources. Film. archival images, aerial footage and interviews with historians, local citizens and experts tell stories of tourism, cherries, art, and geology that capture the history of Door County. Viewers will also explore ethnic heritages that still thrive across the land, its art history, and efforts to preserve both the land and the natural beauty that define one of Wisconsin’s most charming places.

Wisconsin Hometown Stories: Neenah-Menasha tells the story of two Wisconsin cities with a contentious beginning that grew to be collaborative communities of innovation and service. Formed by surrounding waterways, the history of Neenah and Menasha has been marked by the industries that sprung forth from the natural resources of the region and created household products and brands that have become international household names. Film, archival images, and interviews with historians, local citizens and experts illustrate the two cities rich stories and their role in shaping international manufacturing and retailing, and transforming the Fox River Valley into Wisconsin's Paper Valley. Viewers will explore both cities histories, from an early disagreement that led to their unique boundaries, through the development of successful milling, packaging, paper and publishing industries that provided employment for residents and fostered a spirit of community service that carries on today.

Stories that follow the origins of the native people who lived on the land; the growth of timber milling, tire manufacturing and cookware industries that provided employment for residents; a feathered mascot who led area troops into Civil War battles and the influential role the city played in the fight for civil rights in baseball.

Get to know the story of two villages formed by the fertile land of South Central Wisconsin and the flowing waters of the Wisconsin River. Film, archival images, and interviews with historians, local citizens, and experts illustrate how their histories were shaped by Native communities who first called the land home, the harnessing of water power, manufacturing, and the creativity of residents.

Learn the story of a city shaped by its distinctive geography and natural resources. Starting with the Menominee people who made their home in the unique “Tension Zone” between the southern prairies and northern forests, the history of Stevens Point is filled with stories of burgeoning industries, innovation and cultural preservation.

Starting with the Menominee Nation, and continuing with the Meskwaki people and French settlers who predominated the region, the city of Appleton grew from trade and industries powered by the Fox River. The city also thrived in tandem with the rise of Lawrence University, was lit up by innovation, and has been transformed by music and activism.

Known as the “Gateway to Wisconsin,” the city of Beloit began as a center of trade for the Ho-Chunk Nation and continued to grow with New England agriculture and industry. Explore the history of Beloit: a city filled with opportunity for culturally diverse communities and revitalized by its residents’ pride and investments in a thriving civic life.