Michael May 21st, 2008
What is 10,000 years in the making and located entirely in Wisconsin? The answer is the Ice Age Trail. The Ice Age Trail is a 1,000 mile long trail that meanders along the landscape carved by the glaciers 10,000 years ago. The trail is one of eight national scenic trails and about 600 miles are complete.
The Ice Age Trail celebrates is 50th birthday year. The idea of Milwaukeean Ray Zillmer who had a vision of a 1000 mile trail spanning the state. The Ice Age Foundation was started in 1958 and in 1980 Congress designated it a national scenic trail. What makes the Ice Age Trail special is not only is it entirely located within Wisconsin, but 57% of Wisconsin Residents live within 20 miles of the trail.
Anyone can hike the Ice Age Trail. Maps and hiking information is available at the Ice Age Park and Trail website. One June 7, in celebration of National Trails Day, IAT chapters will get out and do the Mammoth Walk. The goal is for all 1000 miles of the trail get hiked on that day. Come out, join the fun, and experience what makes the Wisconsin landscape so spectacular.
Christine July 27th, 2007
One of our favorite places to visit is Circus World down in Baraboo. It is an amazing step into the culture and history of the circus. Unfortunately in the past several years they have encounted financial difficulties. However , according to a recent article they are poised to reverse this trend. Of course, you can help by taking the time to run off and join the circus…and bring all your friends and neighbors. From the amazing restored circus wagons, to the history of sideshows and high flying trapeze artists, to the elephants and camels- it is an AMAZING visit into a fabulous world. The calliope is calling you…
See the article from Fox News here.
Michael July 26th, 2007
The Wisconsin Historical Society has beeen besieged with budget cuts every year for the last several years. As the well of State funding dries up, the Society has had to keep its operation running by seeking out other funding sources. One such source is the sale of historical image copies. The Historical Society has over three million images in its archives and has generated about $100,000 last year in the sales of copies of those images. About 30,000 of these images are searchable on the Historical Society Website and roughly another 6,000 will be added this year. Check out the collection and maybe you’ll find something to decorate your empty walls with.
Originally reported by the Janesville Gazette.
Michael July 21st, 2007
Military Road in rural Oneida county has a rich history that dates back to the war of 1812. Originally carved out of a forest of virgin timber, the road connected Fort Howard in Green Bay to Fort Wilkins on Lake Superior. Since that time, the road was reconstructed and paved, but is now due for a facelift.
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation released a reconstruction plan that would widen the meandaring road and eliminate much of its character and history. But local outcry has saved the road and the DOT issued a revised plan that all parties can agree to. More details can be found on the Rhinelander Daily News site.
Read about the history of Military roads on the Wisconsin Historical Society site.