Wisconsin is a state in the Midwest region of the United States. It was first explored by Europeans in the late 1600s and was part of the French colony of Louisiana until 1763, when it was ceded to Great Britain. In 1783, the territory became part of the United States after the American Revolutionary War, and it was later ceded to the Northwest Territory in 1787.
Wisconsin was established as a separate territory in 1836 and became the 30th state in the Union on May 29, 1848. The state’s name comes from the Ojibwe word “wiskisin” which means “grassy place” or “place of the beaver.”
Over the years, Wisconsin has produced several notable politicians, including the 26th president of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt, who was born in New York City but spent time in the state as a young man. Another famous politician from Wisconsin is Joseph McCarthy, a U.S. Senator who rose to fame in the 1950s for his accusations of communist infiltration in the government, a period in history that became known as the “Red Scare.”
Wisconsin has also been the home state of several presidential candidates, including Robert La Follette, who ran as the Progressive Party’s candidate in the 1924 presidential election, and former U.S. Senator Russ Feingold, who ran for president in 2008. Additionally, Wisconsin has produced several influential politicians who served as governors of the state, including Tommy Thompson, who served as the governor for four terms from 1987 to 2001 and was also the Secretary of Health and Human Services under President George W. Bush, and Scott Walker, who served as governor from 2011 to 2019 and gained national attention for his controversial policies on unions and education.
In addition to its political history, Wisconsin has also played an important role in the development of the United States as a whole. The state was a major center of the fur trade in the 18th and 19th centuries, and it played a key role in the development of the lumber industry in the late 1800s. Wisconsin was also a center of the dairy industry in the early 20th century, and it remains an important agricultural state to this day.
In the mid-20th century, Wisconsin became an important center of the labor movement, with unions playing a key role in the state’s economy and politics. The state was also a center of civil rights activism in the 1960s and 1970s, with activists working to end racial segregation and discrimination in housing and employment.
Today, Wisconsin is a thriving state with a diverse economy and a rich cultural heritage. The state is home to a number of major industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, and technology, and it has a strong tradition of innovation and entrepreneurship. With its beautiful natural scenery, rich history, and vibrant culture, Wisconsin is a wonderful place to visit, live, and work.
When you visit the great state of Wisconsin, please consider the following attractions:
- Door County – Door County is a peninsula located on Lake Michigan that is known for its stunning natural beauty and charming small towns. The area was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Potawatomi, Menominee, and Ojibwe. French explorers were the first Europeans to arrive in the area, and the fur trade brought more settlers in the 1700s. In the mid-1800s, the region became a popular destination for tourists seeking relief from the heat and humidity of the cities. Today, visitors can enjoy a variety of activities in Door County, including hiking, boating, shopping, and dining.
- Wisconsin Dells – Wisconsin Dells is a popular tourist destination that is known for its waterparks, amusement parks, and other family-friendly attractions. The area was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Ho-Chunk and Dakota Sioux. The first Europeans to visit the area were French explorers, and fur traders began to settle in the area in the early 1800s. The first tourism boom in the area came in the late 1800s when visitors began to come to the Dells to see the natural rock formations and take boat tours of the Wisconsin River. Today, visitors can enjoy a variety of attractions in the Dells, including waterparks, roller coasters, and scenic boat tours.
- Milwaukee Art Museum – The Milwaukee Art Museum is a world-class art museum located on the shore of Lake Michigan in downtown Milwaukee. The museum’s collection includes over 30,000 works of art from ancient to contemporary times, including paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts. The museum’s most iconic feature is the Quadracci Pavilion, which features a moving sunscreen made up of over 2,000 panels that resemble the wings of a bird. The museum has received rave reviews from visitors, with one saying, “The Milwaukee Art Museum is a must-see attraction in Milwaukee, with a beautiful collection of art and stunning architecture.”
- Devil’s Lake State Park – Devil’s Lake State Park is a 10,000-acre park located in Baraboo, Wisconsin. The park features a 360-acre lake that is surrounded by towering cliffs and forests, making it a popular destination for hiking, swimming, fishing, and camping. The area was once home to various Native American tribes, including the Ho-Chunk and Sauk, and later became a popular destination for European settlers. In the 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built many of the park’s trails, buildings, and campgrounds. Today, Devil’s Lake State Park is one of the most visited state parks in Wisconsin, with visitors coming from all over the country to enjoy its natural beauty.
- Taliesin – Taliesin is the former home and studio of famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright, located in Spring Green, Wisconsin. Wright designed the original home in 1911, and it went through several renovations over the years. Taliesin was also the site of the Taliesin Fellowship, a community of architects and artists that Wright founded in the 1930s. Today, visitors can take guided tours of the house and grounds, and learn about Wright’s life and work. One visitor wrote, “Taliesin is a fascinating place to visit, with a rich history and beautiful architecture that showcases Wright’s genius.”
- Lambeau Field – Lambeau Field is the home of the Green Bay Packers, one of the most storied franchises in the National Football League (NFL). The stadium has been the site of countless memorable moments in NFL history, including the “Ice Bowl” in 1967, when the Packers defeated the Dallas Cowboys in sub-zero temperatures. Lambeau Field is also home to the Packers Hall of Fame, which features exhibits on the team’s history and legendary players. Visitors can take guided tours of the stadium and even stand on the field where Packers greats like Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers have played. As one visitor noted, “Lambeau Field is a must-visit for any football fan, with a rich history and an incredible atmosphere on game day.”
- Harley-Davidson Museum – The Harley-Davidson Museum is located in Milwaukee and features a collection of motorcycles, artifacts, and exhibits that tell the story of the iconic American motorcycle manufacturer. The museum features over 450 motorcycles and artifacts, including the oldest known Harley-Davidson motorcycle in existence. Visitors can learn about the company’s history, see how the motorcycles are made, and even take a ride on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. One visitor wrote, “The Harley-Davidson Museum is a great place to visit, with a fascinating collection of motorcycles and exhibits that showcase the company’s rich history and culture.”
- House on the Rock – The House on the Rock is a bizarre attraction located in Spring Green, Wisconsin. The house was built in the 1940s by eccentric architect Alex Jordan Jr. and features a mix of architectural styles and bizarre collections, including a giant carousel, a room full of model ships, and a collection of automated musical instruments. Visitors can explore the house and its many oddities on a self-guided tour, which takes about three hours to complete. The House on the Rock has been a popular tourist destination since it opened in the 1960s and has been featured in books and movies. One visitor wrote, “The House on the Rock is a one-of-a-kind attraction that you have to see to believe. It’s weird, fascinating, and totally unforgettable.”
- Apostle Islands – The Apostle Islands are a group of 22 islands located in Lake Superior near the northern tip of Wisconsin. The islands are known for their stunning natural beauty, with rocky cliffs, sandy beaches, and crystal-clear waters. Visitors can explore the islands on foot, by kayak, or by boat, and can camp on several of the islands. The area has a rich history, with various Native American tribes living on the islands for thousands of years. In the 1800s, the islands became a center for fishing, logging, and shipping, and several lighthouses were built to guide ships through the treacherous waters. Today, the Apostle Islands are a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers, with visitors coming from all over the world to experience their beauty.
- Circus World – Circus World is a museum and performance venue located in Baraboo, Wisconsin. The museum features a collection of circus artifacts, including costumes, wagons, and posters, as well as live performances by acrobats, clowns, and other circus performers. The museum is located on the site of the former Ringling Bros. Circus winter quarters, where the circus would spend the winter months training and preparing for the upcoming season. The Ringling Bros. Circus was founded in Baraboo in the late 1800s and became one of the most famous circuses in the world. Circus World is a great place to learn about the history of the circus and to see some incredible performances by talented performers.