Adult Traveling Programs
The History Center Washingon County
320 S 5th Ave, West Bend, WI 53093
(262) 335-4678 - www.HistoryIsFun.com
Contact: Jessica Sawinski Couch, Curator of Education, [email protected]
About
Let the museum come to you! Adult Traveling Programs are designed to help residents and
visitors understand and appreciate the county’s history and natural environment. They
promote discussion and to cover broad topics and time periods. Programs provide historical
photographs, modern images, and some touchable artifacts. They are presented by the Curator
of Education or trained volunteer.
Fees
Washington County organizations pay one annual Program Fee for use of any and all the
Discovery Boxes and Adult Traveling Programs by anyone in the organization.
To pay, see the “Sign-Up Today” section on page 4 of this packet.
● Washington County School $60 For Public, Private, and Parochial schools, and Home
School groups
● Washington County Organization $120 For child care centers, adult/senior day
services, senior communities, libraries, clubs, businesses, churches, Girl Scouts, Boy
Scouts, summer camps, etc.
For one-time and out-of-county presentations, please contact the Curator of Education (262)
335-4678 or [email protected].
Scheduling
To schedule a presentation, contact Jessica Sawinski Couch (262) 335-4678 or
[email protected]. Schedule at least 2 weeks in advance. Please contact us as soon
as possible if you need to cancel or reschedule.
Helpful Information
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There is no limit on how many Adult Traveling Programs or Discovery Boxes you can
schedule in any period of time.
Plan 60 minutes per presentation.
No limit on group size.
4/19/2016
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Highlights & History of Washington County
Covering all 13 townships, this PowerPoint journey of unusual and unique buildings, events,
environments, and people. All locations mentioned are open to the public either as businesses
or community spaces. Includes a handout of locations covered. All that’s needed is a screen or
blank wall and access to an electrical outlet.
NEW! George DeBar: An American Lynching
Explore the horrific events of August 1855 when Anglo-American George DeBar was lynched for
murder of a German teenager. This event summarizes the growing tension between AngloAmericans and European immigrants in the United States. All that’s needed is a screen or blank
wall and access to an electrical outlet.
Aluminum Cookware Industry
This PowerPoint program tells the history of aluminum mining, technology, and products made
in Washington County. Compliments the History Center’s book, “Washington County’s
Aluminum Industry.” All that’s needed is a screen or blank wall and access to an electrical
outlet. Touchable artifacts include: omelet pan, bundt cake pan, electric coffee grinder, lobster
copper mold, electric potpouri hot pot, and more.
Women’s Suffrage Movement
This PowerPoint program discusses the involvement of both white and African-American
women in the Suffrage movement from the 1840s, through the Civil War, until 1920. Also
covers Wisconsin’s role and movements against universal suffrage. All that’s needed is a screen
or blank wall and access to an electrical outlet. Touchable artifacts include: Declaration of
Sentiment, history book, and book about Lucretia Mott.
Courthouses & Jailhouses
The complex, yet fascinating, history of Washington County’s courthouses and jailhouses is the
subject of this Adult Education PowerPoint program. What happened to the original 1854
jailhouse? Who designed the 1889 Courthouse? Included is a slideshow of exterior and interior
architectural elements of the 1889 Old Courthouse, home of the History Center’s Old
Courthouse Museum. All that’s needed is a screen or blank wall and access to an electrical
outlet.
The Artist Behind the Doughboy Statue
Discover the man behind one of the most enduring visual symbols of World War I, “The Spirit of
the American Doughboy” statue. Ernest Moore "Dick" Viquesney was not only the son and
grandson of French sculptors, but also a canny salesman and self-promoter, controlling every
aspect from design to marketing, including Penny Drives. All that’s needed is a screen or blank
wall and access to an electrical outlet.
4/19/2016
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Washington County and Its History Center
Take a whirlwind journey of Washington County from pre-history to the 21st century. Special
attention is given to the History Center, which traces its beginnings to 1874, and key people
who took part in creating some of the finest county museums in the state. Provides printed
historical photographs and modern images.
Glaciers & Geology
This program covers glacier formation, movement, and melting; how the glaciers created the
Kettle Moraine and other Wisconsin topographical features; how humans benefitted from
glacier formations and remnants; and the formation of fossils and examples of Wisconsin plant
and animal fossils. Touchable artifacts include: marl, limestone, trilobites, ammonites,
brachiopods, corals, and coprolite.
Woodland Indians
Begin with a brief overview of recognized tribes of Wisconsin then discuss life ways of
Potawatomi and Menominee prior to European contact (1000-1600). Attention is paid to
elements of culture and a hands-on examination of 400 to 500-year-old stone tools. Touchable
artifacts include: float copper, deer skin, birch bark, arrowheads, scrapers, drill, hammer stone,
and axe head.
Pioneer Life
Discuss how immigrants traveled to Washington County between 1800 and 1880 and the
challenges and rewards of immigration. Examine tools need to create a house, farm, business,
school, food, and goods. Touchable artifacts include: horseshoe, ox shoe, cow bell, hog scraper,
drop spindle, and candle mold.
Civil War
Review United States history leading up to, during, and following the war, including important
figures of the time period 1850-1870. Attention is given to the daily life of a Union and
Confederate soldier. The program ends with a demonstration of an original, but non-firing,
Springfield Musket. Touchable artifacts include: Union frock coat, hardtack, soap, toothbrush,
playing cards, and minie ball.
World War II
Quick overview of the war from the end of World War I to 1950, Important Allied and Axis
figures and events. Focus is on the US home front includeing shortages, rationing, scrap drives,
and fundraisers in Washington County, Washington County POW camps and factory war-time
production. Touchable artifacts include: mess kit, canned food and water, ration books and
stamps, and steelies.
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