The Friends of the Wisconsin Historical Society’s (FWHS) annual meeting was held in Madison on Tuesday, June 26th. To start the day, FWHS President Phil Schauer welcomed everyone with coffee and snacks in the Sellery Room of the WHS Headquarters building on the UW campus. The historic meeting room was recently renovated with the latest in technology paid for through generous donations from the FWHS.

Jim Draeger of the WHS staff then gave an interesting walkthrough history of the WHS building. Starting in the main lobby, Jim discussed the original construction of the state-of-the-art building in the late 1890’s that include a hands-on introduction to the marble pieces used in the construction of the ornate floor. Then the tour moved upstairs to the magnificent Reading Room where Jim regaled us with the renovations that occurred there. Returning the room to its former glory with its magnificent ceiling and other classical decorations was a massive task – mission accomplished!

Moving to the WHS Museum on the Capital Square, the annual meeting participants were treated to a “History Sandwiched In” talk by WHS archivist Julia Wong. “Moulded Eggs in Gargoyle Sauce, Pin Money Pickles and Roman Punch” highlighted the vast menu collection held by the historical society and showed the vast differences in food choices and tastes over the ages. Later, a short tour of the exhibits on the museum’s upper floors featured stops at the Native American exhibit, Wisconsin’s early days of lead mining that gave the “Badger” state its nickname, and the exhibit on fur trade before Wisconsin even was a state.

Our day concluded at the UW Memorial Union, where everyone enjoyed a catered lunch before participating in the FWHS annual meeting. President Schauer conducted the meeting, which featured reports on the Friends of WHS Auction held in April, the FWHS support of National History Day, and possible options to replace the FWHS’s annual Autumn Excursion. A change in the organization’s by-laws to exclude the treasurer from term limits and the re-election of the fifteen members of the board of directors concluded the annual meeting.

President Schauer also invited everyone to a FWHS tour of the new Wisconsin Historical Society’s storage facility on Tuesday, September 18th – more details will be forthcoming.

–Brad Steinmetz, FWHS board member