Passport
Watch or Stream ‘Wisconsin Hometown Stories: Stevens Point’ Beginning Oct. 25
October 21, 2021 Leave a Comment
The newest installment in PBS Wisconsin’s ongoing local history project, Wisconsin Hometown Stories: Stevens Point tells the story of a city shaped by its distinctive geography and natural resources in central Wisconsin. Starting with the Menominee people who collected many resources in the unique “Tension Zone” between the southern prairies and northern forests, the history of Stevens Point is filled with stories of burgeoning industries, innovation and cultural preservation.
Watch Wisconsin Hometown Stories: Stevens Point at 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 25 on PBS Wisconsin. This new program will also be available for free on-demand streaming online at wisconsinhometownstories.org and on the free PBS App on streaming devices and Smart TVs.
Film, archival images and interviews with historians, local citizens and experts illustrate rich stories of Stevens Point’s past and the resilience that connects its residents across generations.
Explore the history of a city known as both the “Gateway to the Pineries” and “The City of Wonderful Water.” Its story follows the origins of the Native people who first cultivated and traversed the land, to the lumber industry that flourished along the Wisconsin River. A vibrant Polish community then emigrated to the region, bringing the traditions and faiths of their homeland to Wisconsin. Diverse industries, including a bustling brewing company, brought national attention to the city for its barrier-breaking innovations and entrepreneurship. Business and investment in higher-education, agriculture and conservancy continue to shape Stevens Point.
Continue Exploring Local History
Keep growing your knowledge about Stevens Point’s history with these resources!
The Portage County Historical Society not only helped PBS Wisconsin share the history in Wisconsin Hometown Stories: Stevens Point, but their website hosts a vast historical archive of Portage County. They also maintain several historic sites in the area that serve as museums.
The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point has published some of their archives online. Also, follow their Facebook page to learn more about their community events and updates.
“Historic Stevens Point” is an independent public historical research project being conducted by Primary Source Investigations. Proprietor Chelsey S. Pfiffner is a research historian and freelance writer. Learn more about this project at their website and enjoy Stevens Point history through their Facebook page.
The Stevens Point Cultural Commons is a new interactive garden and educational space in Stevens Point. Located next to the Riverfront Arts Center in downtown Stevens Point, the park connects visitors to cultural features that make the city unique through art, nature and interactive excursions.
Recollection Wisconsin brings together digital cultural heritage resources from Wisconsin libraries, archives, museums and historical societies and shares them with the world in partnership with the Digital Public Library of America.
The Polish Heritage Awareness Society of Central Wisconsin, Inc. is an organization dedicated to the education, promotion and preservation of Polish American heritage. Their website includes information about their events and more resources for researching Polish heritage.
Learn more about local history and watch other Wisconsin Hometown Stories at wisconsinhometownstories.org.
Wisconsin Hometown Stories Wisconsin history Made in Wisconsin Stevens Point
