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Travel the State With Wisconsin Hometown Stories

November 17, 2020 Becky Marburger Leave a Comment

Venture around Wisconsin from the comfort of your living room with Wisconsin Hometown Stories!

Each story is a celebration of the evolution of a town, city or county in Wisconsin, its residents and the stories they have to tell.

Stories include Door County, Eau Claire, Green Bay, Janesville, Juneau County, La Crosse, Manitowoc-Two Rivers, Neenah-Menasha, Oshkosh, Sauk Prairie and Wausau.

Educational resources for elementary, middle and high school students are also available.

Explore the Wisconsin Hometown Stories series here.

Below are a few select clips from the hour-long programs to give you a taste of the rich local history you will get from the series.

Sauk Prairie: The Sounds of Wisconsin

Cuca Records got its start in a small recording studio Jim Kirchstein built next to his record shop. By recording thousands of songs by musicians and groups of many different genres, the studio’s collection captured the sound of Wisconsin in the 1960s.

Neenah-Menasha: Paper

The Wisconsin Central Railroad provided an abundant supply of wood to the growing Menasha Woodenware Company, but the flour industry faced declining wheat yields and steep competition from Minneapolis. Entrepreneurs found that the Fox River could provide the power and clean water needed for papermaking. The industry expanded outward, and impacted the entire region.

La Crosse: Early History

The city that grew up on a river prairie today retains that beauty, thanks to the un-glaciated topography and the confluence of three rivers.

Find the full Wisconsin Hometown Stories programs here.

green bay Door County Eau Claire Oshkosh La Crosse Wisconsin Hometown Stories Wisconsin History Wausau

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Alyssa Beno

I am the editor of Airwaves, our monthly program guide for members. When I’m not highlighting our incredible programs, I’m pedaling the countryside, hiking at a state park, making soy candles, thrift shopping or hanging out with my husband and miniature schnauzer.

Andrew Carlson

As a community engagement manager for PBS Wisconsin, I create lasting relationships with communities around the state, connecting folks through our programming, outreach, and events. Outside of work, I love hiking with my partner, traveling, making music, and meeting friends old and new.

Becky Marburger

As a member of our Marketing and Communications team, I help share PBS Wisconsin's story, including the content we produce and opportunities we provide. Outside the office, you'll likely find me with my nose in a book, outdoors or farming!

Erik Ernst

I'm the Communications Associate Director at PBS Wisconsin. When I'm not letting people know about all of the awesome work the station is doing around the state, you'll find me planning my family's next trip to somewhere fun, warm and likely connected to a Disney Park.

Ian Lewitz

I'm a PBS Wisconsin publicist and former production assistant for the Wisconsin Life project. I enjoy exploring Wisconsin's many lakes and spending the summer months camping around the state.

Inga Witscher

Inga Witscher is a passionate Wisconsin dairy farmer, cheesemaker and host of PBS Wisconsin’s Around the Farm Table.

Luke Zahm

Luke Zahm is a James Beard-nominated chef and owner of The Driftless Cafe in Viroqua, Wisconsin. He shares his passion for discovering the stories behind the food we eat as host of Wisconsin Foodie.

Marci Glaus

I am the education communications manager for PBS Wisconsin Education. When I am not raving about our outstanding education resources, you can find me dancing, reading, playing, and exploring with my two young children while trying to stay awake past nine o’clock.

Mike Devine

I’m a Public Relations Specialist for PBS Wisconsin who enjoys promoting the wide range of programming that we offer. When I’m not sharing the stories of PBS Wisconsin content, I enjoy going to concerts, watching movies, reading and traveling (Always open to recommendations for my next destination!).

Mark Riechers

Mark is a digital content editor for PBS Wisconsin. A photographer, radio producer and writer, he has experience telling stories from everything from a history of Milwaukee beer ads to processing death through game development.

Pete Schwaba

Pete Schwaba is a stand-up comedian, writer, director and host of "Director's Cut" on PBS Wisconsin. His writing and directing credits include “A Guy Thing” and “The Godfather of Green Bay.” Pete’s TV writing credits include “Are you Smarter than a 5th Grader?” as Jeff Foxworthy’s writer/producer and the sports comedy show “Sports Soup.” Pete is married with two children and splits time between Los Angeles and the Midwest.

Samantha Nash

I’m a project manager at PBS Wisconsin, and formerly an associate editor at WisContext. When I’m not scouring the state for fun music and arts content, I’m usually being forced to go on a hike by my demanding border collie or being forced to read on the couch by my demanding cats.

Sigrid Peterson

I'm a digital producer at PBS Wisconsin. I make our digital shenanigans compelling, friendly, and interactive so viewers can access great PBS programming over the air, on the web, on a boat, in a moat, in a box, with a fox. . . you catch my drift.

Tara Lovdahl

As a publicist for PBS Wisconsin, I love helping people learn about and engage with our wonderful programs. I also enjoy bicycling, baking, playing board games and watching movies (especially musicals).

Tawny Morrison

As the education communications specialist for PBS Wisconsin Education, I get to support teachers by sharing incredible education resources with them. In my free time I do a lot of teaching and learning of my own – with a pair of escrima sticks in my hands at a martial arts gym.

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