Jim Draeger will present the stories featured in his book, “Bottoms Up”, which celebrates Wisconsin’s taverns and the breweries that fueled them. Beginning with inns and saloons, the book explores the rise of taverns and breweries, the effects of temperance and Prohibition, and attitudes about gender, ethnicity, and morality. Contemporary photographs of unusual
and distinctive bars and breweries of all eras illustrate the story of how Wisconsin came to dominate brewing.

Sponsored by the Wisconsin Historical Society History Makers Tour.

This is the tour announcement many have been waiting for! The tour company has finalized the hotel and tour details, and the dates and flight schedules have been set. The brochure has been uploaded to this site. To view it, click on "Pomeranian 2024 Tour" on the red bar at left. 

In this presentation, Professor Mark Louden will explore the health culture of one of America’s most visible religious groups, the Amish. Although they do not practice faith healing in the traditional sense, the Amish blend allopathic (Western) and complementary/alternative medical practices in ways that reflect their spiritual identity as “in the world but not of the world.” Apart from his teaching and research at the University of Wisconsin – Madison, Professor Louden serves as an interpreter and cultural mediator for Amish and Old Order Mennonite groups in the legal and health care systems.

Your Attendance Requested at a One-of-a-Kind Festival

Are you planning your summer calendar?

Like most states, Wisconsin has its share of small town celebrations. You can check out the Watermelon Festival in Pardeeville, Rhubarb Days in Osceola, Butterfest in Sparta, and HamburgerFest in Seymour. Don’t forget the Bacon Bash in River Falls and Morel Mushroom Festival in Muscoda, as well as Balloon, Ribfest and Chalkfest in Wausau. Milwaukee has an ethnic festival almost every weekend, including German Fest in late July.

However, none of these worthy activities share Pomeranian culture with all who attend like our own Pommerntag! This year’s event at Mequon’s Rotary Park on Sunday, June 30, will mark the 47th time that attendees have been able to learn that there’s more to Germany than lederhosen, dirndls, and fairy tale castles. Set the date aside for a full afternoon’s experience. Enjoy the traditional dances from the Pommersche Tanzdeel Freistadt, music from Peggy Mueller on her button box and the mighty Freistadt Alte Kameraden Band under the big tent with no cover charge.

Visit the nearby smaller tent to sample traditional Pomeranian foods, including red cabbage, knockwurst, herring, bienenstich (honey-almond torte), strudel, and cherry soup. Thirsty? Yes, people along the Baltic Sea drink beer, too, so naturally we need to follow suit! Then head inside the pavilion to research your ancestors with our “research ready” genealogists. Purchase a traditional “fisherman’s hat” or clothing that bears the historic griffin on the pocket.

The entertainment tent is large enough to allow a family gathering or reunion of friends. Play equipment for your little ones is just down the hill. We hope to see you attend to enjoy a lovely summer afternoon. By the way, we can always use volunteers for setting up, serving food and drink, answering genealogy questions, taking down, washing dishes, etc.