New Resources at the University of Wisconsin Digital Collections

Mother's Day Inspiration: "A Nation Wide Tribute to Motherhood"

6 mAY 2008 08:11:54 GMT

Still not sure what to get your Mom this year? This Mother's Day window display from 1942 shows that regardless of the year, clothes are a pretty good bet! This tableau at the Henderson- Hoyt department store features women's print dresses typical of the World War II era, dishes, a tablecloth or bedspread, and other items offered as Mother's Day gifts. The Henderson-Hoyt store was located at 2-10 North Eighth Street in Manitowoc. Find more inspiration, and other great images from Wisconsin's past, by going to http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/WI and then clicking on "Search the Collection."

Life During Wartime in Wisconsin

02 May 2008 11:41:54 GMT

State officials this week unveiled a new project designed to enliven American history classes here in Wisconsin. Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, the “Life During Wartime” will partner educators with historians and veterans to enhance curriculum covering the Civil War to the present. The program will also include a web component that puts original historical resources online for teachers to incorporate into their lessons. UW Historians and the Wisconsin Veterans Museum will share their wealth of materials and experiences to help bring history to life. However, participants (and others) who are seeking additional materials need look no further than the UWDC! Our collection currently includes “Wisconsin Goes to War: Our Civil War Experience” – a collection of first person narrative accounts of Wisconsin soldiers and citizens. In addition, the UWDCC is in the process of digitizing World War II era cookbooks which feature recipes that stretch and substitute butter, meat, coffee, and other staples in response to rationing. For more information about our current collection, go to http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/WI/Browse.html and click on “Wisconsin Goes to War: Our Civil War Experience.”

Aldo Leopold and the UWDCC in the News!

24 April 2008 08:11:54 GMT

As part of their Earth Day coverage, CBS affiliate Channel 3 of Madison produced pieces on Wisconsinites who led the way on Environmental issues, including Aldo Leopold. Leopold is often named as the most important conservation thinker of the 20th Century, and his work has influenced many disciplines, including forestry, wildlife management, sustainable agriculture, and private land management. He is most widely known as the author of A Sand County Almanac one of the most beloved and respected books about the environment ever published. And as stated in the Channel 3 story, our Aldo Leopold Collection houses the journals and notes he created in preparation for that work, as well as other raw materials that document not only Leopold's rise to prominence but the history of conservation and the emergence of the field of ecology from the early 1900s until his death in 1948. Watch the story here.

University of Wisconsin Digital Collections in the News

17 April 2008 11:41:54 GMT

University Archives Director David Null discussed the project to digitize the University of Wisconsin-Madison Archives' complete collection of materials from Wisconsin conservationist Aldo Leopold with WisconsinEye on April 15, 2008. The collection consists of a collection of early diaries, notebooks and journals with a folio of loose drawings and U.S. Forest Service diaries covering 1899-1933, Leopold's hunting journals spanning 1917-1945, and Leopold's Portage-area "shack" journals covering 1935-1948. Null discussed the Leopold papers and other parts of the University's online collection. Null was interviewed by WisconsinEye Public Policy Producer Craig Sauer in the station's Madison Studio. Audio and video of this interview are available for download on the WisconsinEye website.

The Literature Collection

15 April 2008 08:11:54 GMT

April is National Poetry Month, so get in the mood by exploring the Literature collection in the University of Wisconsin Digital Collections. For example, delve into our collection of Parallel Press Chapbooks. The Parallel Press, an imprint of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Libraries, publishes print and digital publications featuring new works of scholars, researchers, and poets. The poetry chapbook series was launched in 1999 to revive the publication of small, collectible editions of poetry. Find these and other works at http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/Literature.

Claytonia virginica in bloom, Ridgeland -- Ecology and Natural Resources Collection

9 April 2008 08:11:54 GMT

It may not look like spring outside, but the flowers are always blooming in the UW digital collections! Find other images documenting the beauty of spring and all Wisconsin's seasons by searching the Ecology and Natural Resources Collection. http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/EcoNatRes.

The State of Wisconsin Collection - Annual reports of the officers of the Madison Park and Pleasure Drive Association, 1899-1905 - 1 issue, 505 pages, added 3/5/2008

02 April 2008 08:11:54 GMT

The Madison Park and Pleasure Drive Association Reports denote the moneys received and expended and work done by the Madison Park and Pleasure Drive Association in order to attract attention to the city's natural beauty and surrounding lakes. The impetus behind the association was that by making Madison's natural surroundings more accessible, visitors would get a better idea of the magnificence of the location, and advantages of Madison as a summer resort or place of permanent residence. The Madison Park and Pleasure Drive Association Reports offer a glimpse into a time in local history when pleasure drives were first considered, and thought to be of skeptical benefit to the public.

University of Wisconsin Collection - William J. Meuer Photoart Collection - 8 issues, 952 pages, added 3/4/2008

26 March 2008 08:11:54 GMT

The William J. Meuer Photoart Collection is an outstanding visual history of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and its surrounding community. The collection was compiled by renowned local photographer William J. Meuer who with his brother, Roman, opened the Meuer Photoart House on State Street in 1916. Dating from 1888 to 1935, 25 large bound albums contain nearly 27,000 individual prints. The albums contain portraits of faculty and administrators, pictures of lectures and other academic functions of faculty and staff, as well as their social events and town and gown activities are documented. All aspects of UW student life are depicted, including dramatic and musical programs, intercollegiate, intramural and informal sporting events, and social activities

Carson Gulley Cookbook Collection - 5 issues, 211 pages, added 3/4/2008

18 March 2008 08:11:54 GMT

Carson Gulley was head chef of the Housing Division's Food Service for 27 years and gained such legendary status as a chef on the UW-Madison campus that both a building and a pie were named for him. His reputation as culinary master and authority on herbs and spices led to his development of the University's program to train U. S. Navy cooks and bakers for service during World War and while on leave from the UW Madison, he set up a very successful commercial dietetics training course at Tuskegee Institute. Carson Gulley's publications are presented here in the Carson Gulley Cookbook digital collection.

The German Studies Collection - The Brecht Yearbook - 27 issues, 7,824 pages, added 3/4/2008

11 March 2008 08:11:54 GMT

The Brecht Yearbook is the annual publication of the International Brecht Society (IBS), devoted to scholarly research on Bertolt Brecht's writings and to broader issues about the relationship between politics and culture. The first three volumes (1971-1973) were published in Germany under the title Brecht heute - Brecht Today (Athenäum Verlag) and volumes 4-10 (1974-1980) under the title Das Brecht-Jahrbuch (Suhrkamp Verlag); all contributions were in German. Thereafter the yearbook moved to the United States and has included since then contributions in German and English. Volumes 11-13 (1982-1986) were published by Wayne State University Press and since then all volumes have appeared under the imprint of the IBS, distributed by the University of Wisconsin Press.

UW-La Crosse Steamboat Collection 362 images added 2/5/2008

06 March 2008 08:11:54 GMT

The UW-La Crosse Historic Steamboat Photograph collection consists of over 40,000 black and white photographic images of steamboats on the inland waterways of the United States, primarily the Mississippi, Ohio and Missouri rivers and their tributaries. Over the next several years all of the photos will be made part of this online collection. The photos depict steamboats in every phase of their life span, in every aspect of their daily operations from the 1850s to the present, and in all sorts of settings as they went about their everyday business of hauling freight and passengers and towing barges and rafts. For some steamboats, especially the bigger excursion boats, there may be over a hundred photographs to view; for other boats, there might be only a single photo to document its existence. Besides steamboats, other types of images in the collection include steamboat captains, engineers, pilots, passengers and crews; city and town waterfronts; levees; locks and dams; and river-related activities such as fishing, swimming and clamming.

PrimateImages: Natural History Collection 2,010 images, added 2/5/2008

03 March 2008 08:11:54 GMT

The PrimateImages database is a collection of photographs and information about nonhuman primates. These images were contributed by numerous photographers through the Lawrence Jacobsen Library at the Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin in an effort to preserve the visual record of nonhuman primate species. This site contains photographs of most known primate species as well as related images such as habitat, maps and food sources.

"A Leap Year Retribution" by Walter L. W. Distelhorst

29 February 2008 08:11:54 GMT

This short story can be found in the June 1904 issue of The Wisconsin literary magazine. It tells the tale of the head games played by two college students who are preparing to attend a Leap Year dance. 177 volumes of this journal comprise just one part of our Literature Collection. Find these and other works, here: http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/Literature/

Historical County Plat Maps from South Central Wisconsin and Early Madison City Directories/ 3 issues / 2,330 pages, added 12/18/2007/ The State of Wisconsin Collection

20 February 2008 08:11:54 GMT

This digital collection of historic plat books, city directories, and atlases provides accessibility to early information about South Central Wisconsin, specifically Columbia, Dane, Portage and Wood counties. A variety of the oldest plat books, atlases and city directories were chosen because of their frequent use and delicate condition. Materials recently added to the collection include several city directories. This project was funded by a 2007 Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant.

"The Beauties of Flora" by Eliza Eve Gleadall 1 issue / 102 pages, added 1/8/2008

15 February 2008 08:11:54 GMT

In The Beauties of Flora (1834), Eliza Eve Gleadall combines poetry, prose and illustration to convey the sentimental as well as scientific and aesthetic aspects of flowers. The author was an instructor of young ladies at a Yorkshire school offering tutelage in English grammar, history, reading, "fashionable works," French, Italian, music, drawing, dancing, writing, geography, and astronomy. The book is intended as a "chaste recreation" for such suitably educated youth. The 1834 volume contains 20 lithographed plates and was privately published by the author at Heath Hall near Wakefield. A second volume, not available in our collection, followed in 1836. The digital facsimile provided here was made from the 1834 volume held at the UW-Madison, Memorial Library Special Collections, at Thordarson T 1722.

New Lesson Plans Available

07 February 2008 08:11:54 GMT

Integrate primary sources into your curriculum with the click of a button. We now have additional lesson plans available on our website. Topics include a historical look at agriculture and sociology in the United States, Wisconsin's connection to the Galapagos Islands, and an exploration of primary sources related to the Irish Famine. Using primary sources enables users to make their own interpretations of historical events and build critical thinking skills. In addition, use of these vetted materials can help students develop the tools needed to assess web content for quality and dependability – an essential skill as more and more school work is done online.

"Founders' Day is February 5, 2008"

5 February 2008 08:11:54 GMT

UW's first ever day of class occurred 159 years ago today, and since 1924 the anniversary has been observed as Founders' Day. The image above shows Bascom Hall as it stood in 1859, just ten years after that first day. The building was called Main Hall at the time of the photo, and it still has its original rounded portico and dome. Don't wait until the next Founders' Day to celebrate UW's rich history. Find out more by exploring our University of Wisconsin collection at http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/UW/.

"Maps and Atlases of La Crosse County and the Upper Mississippi River" by Anita Doering, Archivist, La Crosse Public Library. Featured in the Wisconsin Association of Academic Librarians (WAAL) Newsletter Volume 25, No. 1, Winter 2008.

31 January 2008 08:11:54 GMT

Find the full article by clicking on the link above.

"Belgian Survey Maps and Log Structures" 247 images, added 12/18/2007 to The State of Wisconsin Collection

29 January 2008 08:11:54 GMT

One of the country's largest concentrations of Walloon-speaking Belgians is found in northeastern Wisconsin, resulting in a unique cultural and social flavor. A pilot project was undertaken in 1975-1976 to establish a Belgian-American Ethnic Resource Collection in the Special Collections Department of the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Cofrin Library. The objective was to record the undocumented historical, social, and cultural legacy of this unique ethnic group. Images of the farms as well as oral history interviews had previously been digitized by the UWDCC. New materials include nine in-depth architectural surveys maps, which were drawn to scale showing the location (both past and present) of structures, gardens, orchards fences, fields, driveways, etc, and include materials such as draft maps and deeds, as well as a large collection of log structure images.

"Bookmobile - Winter 1949-50 (Mrs. Stensberg) - Marathon County Library Service" Libraries and Schools in Marathon and Lincoln Counties and The State of Wisconsin Collection

24 January 2008 08:11:54 GMT

As the temperature dips into negative numbers, it's the perfect time to stay home and read a book. And wouldn't it be even better if the book could come to you? Bookmobiles can do just that, such as the one picture here. This wintry scene shows teacher and students in front of the Marathon County Bookmobile. Find more images of bookmobiles (not to mention thousands of other things) in the State of Wisconsin Collection at http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/WI/.

"Extinct birds. An attempt to unite in one volume a short account of those birds which have become extinct in historical times--that is, within the last six or seven hundred years. To which are added a few which still exist, but are on the verge of extinction" DIGITAL LIBRARY OF DECORATIVE ARTS AND MATERIAL CULTURE

22 January 2008 08:11:54 GMT

1 issue / 384 pages, added 1/8/2008 Lionel Walter Rothschild (1868-1937), second Baron Rothschild, was a British zoologist and lifelong collector of insects, birds, and mammals. He founded the Rothschild Natural History Museum in London; and his collection of bird specimens was sold in 1932 to the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. After reading a paper on extinct and vanishing birds before the 1905 IVth International Ornithological Congress, Rothschild was persuaded to compile a more comprehensively illustrated volume on the topic. The result, Extinct birds. An attempt to unite in one volume a short account of those birds which have become extinct in historical times..., was published in 1907 in a limited edition of 300 copies. The digital facsimile provided here was made from copy No. 23, held at the UW-Madison, Memorial Library Special Collections, at Thordarson T 1496. Among the volume's 49 plates are a number of theoretical illustrations reconstructing the possible appearance of birds known only from verbal accounts and skeletal remains.

"Ediciones Eloísa Cartonera Book Covers" ARTS COLLECTION

17 January 2008 08:11:54 GMT

266 Images, added 1/8/2008 Following Argentina's economic collapse in late 2001, the Eloisa Cartonera company arose from the ruins in Almagro, a lower middle-class neighborhood in Buenos Aires. In a broken-down shop on Guardia Street, young writers and artists have established an art gallery and bookshop that serves as the public face of Eloisa Cartonera, a publishing house that makes original books from recycled cardboard and cheap prints and sells them for less than 5 pesos ($1.60) each, about a third the price of a conventional paperback. The book covers are printed with rough stencils and poster paints. UW-Madison, Memorial Library Special Collections houses the collection.

"Student tea party at UW Marathon County" Libraries and Schools in Marathon and Lincoln Counties and the State of Wisconsin Collection

16 January 2008 08:11:54 GMT

Apparently, January is National Hot Tea Month, and these students at UW- Marathon County are ready for it! This image is from 1964, but find other images documenting Wisconsin's rich past throughout the years by searching the state of Wisconsin Collection at http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/WI/ and clicking on the “Search the Collection” link.

New Year's Message from U.S. High Commissioner for Germany John J. McCloy

04 January 2008 08:11:54 GMT

As we welcome in 2008, a new year's message from another time helps to illustrate the struggles that were facing the world more than 50 years ago. This address, from U.S. High Commissioner for Germany John J. McCloy, was broadcast in German (though transcribed here in English) over RIAS, the American-sponsored ration station in West Berlin on New Year's Eve 1951. The Federal Republic of Germany was experiencing a period of economic growth, and hopes still were high for an expeditious unification of Germany. This is just an example of what can be found in the History Collection. The items assembled here were selected by librarians, scholars, and other subject specialists along a wide range of criteria. They include a variety of formats such as books, manuscripts, sound recordings, photographs, maps, and, more.

"Wilhelmy family & others" Manitowoc Local History Collection in the State of Wisconsin Collection

19 December 2007 08:11:54 GMT

Friends and family enjoy a snowball fight at Henry Wilhelmy farm in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Those pictured include Lucy Lyon, Linda Drumm, Pondo the dog, Augusta Wilhelmy, Bessie Drumm, and John Skrypzinski. Find other fun, distinctive, and compelling images from Wisconsin's past by searching the state of Wisconsin Collection at http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/WI/ and clicking on the “Search the Collection” link.

A "Sane" Christmas

12 December 2007 08:11:54 GMT

This article casts an interesting, if not rosy light on the holiday season around the turn of the 20th century, and draws attention to the difference between the past as it is remembered and the past as it truly was. Nearly 100 years ago observers were already lamenting the over-commercialization of Christmas. Even the practice of “Re-gifting” was already in play, and the author warns ” the friends who will become the possessors of the usually useless gifts will carefully wrap them up and place them in a corner of their closets, there to remain until passed on to some far off relative who will be ‘delighted with anything.'” Instead, the author urges, give simple gifts from the heart – advice that seems just as relevant today as it was then.

A Political Adolescence

5 December 2007 08:11:54 GMT

This excerpt from the book My Life by Golda Meir chronicles the years she spent in Milwaukee as a child. In 1906, eight-year-old Golda, along with her mother and two sisters, emigrated from Russia to the United States. They joined Golda's father who had come to Milwaukee in 1903 in search of work. Described here is the culture-shock and wonder experienced by Golda and her family as they opened a store, attended school, and otherwise established a new life in the bustling city on Lake Michigan. In 1921 Golda moved to Tel Aviv and eventually helped establish the state of Israel. She held a number of offices in the government and then served as prime minister from 1969 until her retirement in 1974. The excerpt includes the first known photograph of Golda Meir, ca. 1904, as well as a photo of her with President Richard Nixon at the White House in 1969.

The People's Stories of South Madison [compiled and edited by David Giffey]

4 December 2007 08:11:54 GMT

This work tells the story of life in twentieth-century South Madison through the voices of those who lived there. For example, the culture shock experienced by Geraldine B. Bernard when she moved to Madison from New Orleans in 1967, or the experiences of Ines Flores-Grossen, who came from El Salvador in 1980 to attend school. The 20 interviews that comprise the book were conducted in community centers, houses, churches, and apartments over a two-year period beginning in 1998. The book also features images from Giffey's Decades Mural Project. Located in the Boys and Girls Club of Dane County, the piece includes four murals. Each one depicts a different decade of history beginning with 1950. The murals depict local, national, and international events and personalities related to African-American history.

Beowulf: A New Translation for Oral Delivery

26 November 2007 08:11:54 GMT

Beowulf is the oldest narrative poem in the English language. The story represents historical traditions dating back to fifth-and-sixth-century Scandinavia, and the written text first emerged in the form of a single manuscript around the year 1000. In this tale the titular hero kills the monster Grendel, who has been ravaging the Danes, as well as the monster's mother who seeks revenge for her son's death. Beowulf becomes king and is killed in his old age while slaying a dragon that was attacking his people. While the saga has been translated into English many times, this version is noteworthy in that it is intended for oral delivery, or to be read aloud. In addition this work includes an audio stream in which the translator provides a reading of his version of the poem. It can be listened to from start to finish, or it can be accessed at the beginning of any of the forty-three sections into which it is divided. Translator and reader Dick Ringler is professor emeritus of English and Scandinavian Studies at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.