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Fur Trade on the Great Lakes |
-------CLICK TITLE FOR MORE-------Those who sought furs to meet European demand were the first wave of expansion in The Great Lakes. The impact of the fur trade industry is still felt today. This video is an overview of the people, places, and animals involved in this defining era in the Great Lakes region | DVD | 17 minutes | Grade 4-12 |
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The Voyageurs - Men of The Fur Trade |
The full story of the fur trade transporters and the important contribution they made to Midwest history. [CLICK TITLE FOR MORE INFORMATION]
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Peak of the Fur Trade - Grand Portage |
This is a reenactment of the days when fur traders gathered in a village in the far northeastern corner of Minnesota. Life inside the stockade is demonstrated, including cooking, making fires, paddle carving and dancing. | DVD | 19 minutes | Grade 4-12 |
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Life at Wisconsin's Fur Posts |
The early fur posts of Wisconsin are explored. The function of these historical facilities and the daily life of traders are featured. With scenes re-enacted by groups of people in period costumes at rebuilt fur post sites, the story comes to life in vivid detail. | DVD | 21 minutes with quiz | Grade 4-12 |
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The Peshtigo Fire Disaster |
One of the nation's worst fire disasters is detailed. Information was gathered in Peshtigo and adjacent communities to trace the circumstances that lead up to the fire. Murals and artifacts collected after the disaster in the Peshtigo museum help to piece the story together. | DVD | 27 minutes with quiz | Grade 4-12 |
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Wisconsin Capitol Tour |
History of construction, architecture, and materials used in the building of the capitol are among the many facets highlighted. This is an excellent video tour for any one who wants to know all about the state capitol.
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Historic Prairie du Chien |
Simulated scenes show what life was like for the Indian and white villagers under French, English, and American rule. The importance of Prairie Du Chien as a meeting place for prehistoric Indian tribes and later for their meetings with the white settlers is explained. | DVD | 20 minutes | Grade 4-12 |
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When Copper Was King |
Jack Foster, recognized authority on history of the Keweenaw, unfolds a spellbinding account of the copper era. The 86-year-old grandson of an immigrant Cornish woman is shown telling the story of copper diggings from the 1840's to the close of the era. | DVD | 23 minutes | Grade 4-12 |
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Wisconsin's Lead Country |
This video traces the discovery and development of Wisconsin lead deposits. Various mining methods are explained as well as the lasting influence of Cornish miners and their families. The complete rise and fall of this industry within the state of Wisconsin is chronicled. | DVD | 14 minutes | Grade 4-12 |
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Wisconsin's Iron Mines |
The full era of iron mining in Wisconsin is investigated, from the opening of the Mayville and Baraboo ranges to the discovery and development of the mines on the Wisconsin-Michigan border. A retired miner who spent years in the underground shafts and slopes helps to tell the story. | DVD | 16 minutes | Grade 4-12 |
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Railroads Connect Wisconsin |
The economic and social impact that the railroad had on this state is the primary focus of this video. Expansion of the rail system, problems with terrain, accidents, floods, animals on the rails, and violent strikes by workers are some of the issues covered.
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Automobiles come to Wisconsin |
Through the use of fascinating archival film, the unique features of these buggies are shown. The stark contrast between the cars of today and the first vehicles is shown. Bumpy roads, little traffic control and many flat tires characterized this era.
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Wisconsin's Steamboat History |
The various types of steam powered boats, including the paddle wheelers, are shown along with details on passenger and freight movement, crew life, navigation hazards, excursion outings, and many other aspects of this early method of transportation.
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Pre-historic Dugout Builders |
Archaeologist Gordon Peters sheds light on the lives of early canoe builders. Using the techniques applied by indigenous people, at the same location, an U.S. Forest Service archaeologist talks about how he built one of these primitive dugout canoes.
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Wisconsin's First People |
A wealth of artifacts from archaeological digs explains how aboriginal people lived in Wisconsin centuries ago. This video looks at many aspects of daily life including shelter types, tools, clothing, food preparation, pottery, weapons, and beadwork.
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Ice Age Life in Wisconsin |
Buried under the soil in Wisconsin are the bones of mammals that lived during the last glacial era. This video steps back in time to take a look at huge creatures such as woolly mammoths, musk oxen, bear-size beaver, caribou, and other mysterious mammals.
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Aztec Mystery in Wisconsin |
This is the story of the pre-historic community known as Aztalan near Lake Mills. Artifacts strongly suggest that there was an ancient civilization on this site. Historic photos and video of the grounds help to shed light on this mystery.
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Chief Buffalo - Man of Peace |
A Man of Peace;The life of this famous Chief is told, in part, by his great-great grand-daughter. The saga is detailed of how the Chief changed the course of history by going to Washington to plead with President Fillmore for the rights of his people.
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Little Crow's Story |
Little Crow became a sioux chief and struggled to understand the early pioneers language and culture to better lead his people. The story of his life comes to life in this production.
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Treaty of Traverse Des Sioux |
This is an account of how the new frontier people pressured the federal government into a treaty that left the Sioux without grazing land for the buffalo and enough land to meet their basic needs. A re-enactment of the 1850 gathering among teepees, canvas tents, and ox carts is shown.
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Great Lakes Viking Mystery |
While the principal focus is on the famed (though not widely accepted as genuine) Kensington Runestone of Minnesota, the discovery of other "evidence" of the Norsemen here before Columbus is included in this video.
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Great Lakes French Explorers |
French explorers, who first reached what is now Minnesota, are the focus of this video. Emphasis is on Duluth, Father Hennepin, and De La Salle. Artist sketches help to recreate key incidents.
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The Travels of Governor Cass |
The Governor of the huge Michigan Territory was probably the fairest, most humane government official of his day in dealing with the Great Lakes Native Americans. The recorded account of his long, difficult trip to the far reaches of his "domain" is shown.
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Mississippi Seeking the Source |
This video looks at the journey of Henry Schoolcraft through Lake Superior into what was then Michigan Territory. Other explorers who tried to locate the true source are also included. Artist's conceptions and video at crucial points help to tell the story.
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Wisconsin's Early Explorers |
With the aid of colorful maps and historic paintings, the modes of transportation and various routes used by explorers are illustrated. Simulated scenes with people dressed in period costumes also help to bring the tale of Wisconsin explorers to life.
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The Grange & Oliver Kelly |
Videotaped mostly on the restored 1875 Kelley farm at Elk River, Minnesota, this is the story of the man who founded the organization that united farmers and their families in 20,000 chapters across America.
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Wisconsin Pioneers |
Frontier life in the late 1700's to the early 1800's is the focus of this video. These were the years when the first tiny communities began to form in Wisconsin. All aspects of frontier life are simulated by costumed actors, including clothing, housing, cooking, farming, and music.
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Wisconsin Homesteads |
The homestead era is brought to life with the use of historic photos and re-enacted scenes by people dressed in period costumes. The story is told of how people came to Wisconsin either by boat or on foot across rugged lands. Some were fur traders who stayed and became farmers.
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Wisconsin's Pioneer Farmer |
Actors dressed in period costume help to tell this story. Harvesting hay, driving oxen, threshing, and cutting wood are among the many daily chores shown. Historic photos show what life was really like for the pioneer farmer.
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Wisconsin's Pioneer Farmwife |
With the aid of women in period costumes on restored farms, this video looks at the grueling workday of a farmwife including washboard laundering, garden work, spinning, churning, and cooking meals on a wood stove.
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Wisconsin's Frontier Schools |
The first one-room schools in the early 1900's are shown. Retired teachers recall memories of what these days in the classroom were like. This is an interesting glimpse of how different the school days of yesterday were.
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Life in the 30's - Summertime |
Fascinating archival film footage provides an entertaining look at what people did for fun when money was scarce. The old swimming hole, fishing in a pond, running a lemonade stand, picking berries, and soapbox carts are among the interesting scenes.
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Charles Lindberg Family |
While the emphasis of this video is on the life of the famous flyer of Little Falls and his early life in Minnesota, this program also traces the origin of his family in the state.
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The Communist Movement |
This is the story of the communist movement during the depression years in the upper midwest. It follows the story of Illimy (lastname) who grew up in a minnesota homestead farm and eventually moved with her family to Russia following dreams of a better life.
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Civilian Conservation Corps WI |
To tell the story of the men who served in this exceptional federal-state government works project, four men who worked in the CCC relate their own personal experiences. They talk about the camps, what daily life was like, and the long-lasting impact of their CCC experience.
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Wisconsin Depression Years |
Five Wisconsin men and women relate their personal experiences from this era. Historic photos and archival film taken in the 1930's also help to tell the story. Foreclosures, unemployment, poverty and the need to "live off the land" are among the issues discussed.
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Coolidge Summer Whitehouse |
For one full summer the nation's business was run out of a tiny office in Superior. This was the site where President Calvin Coolidge and the first family vacationed near the Brule River. Archival film shows many scenes from this exciting time in Wisconsin's history.
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Life in the Lumber Camps |
Four retired lumberjacks give first person accounts of life in the woods. They describe what the dawn-to-dusk routine was like including the food, bunkhouses, log drives, and other fascinating elements of lumbering life.
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Wisconsin Logging |
With the use of historic photos and archival film taken in a working camp, the logging era up to World War II is described. The focus is on peak logging in the early 1900's. Logging practices and the need for responsible wood harvesting are discussed.
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Final Days of the Edmund Fitz. |
Coast Guard reports and historic photos help to examine the saga of the Edmond Fitzgerald. An interview with a ship captain who was one of the last to be in contact with the "Fitz" explores one of many theories. An actual storm shows what a crewmember may have seen.
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