Survey of Folk Heritage Collections in the Upper Midwest
This National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC)-supported one-year project surveyed ethnographic fieldwork collections in six states in the upper Midwest, including Wisconsin, and resulted in an extensive database of the region's important folk heritage collections. Staff traveled throughout the state to confer with archivists and other collections holders to obtain information about the collections and discuss future preservation efforts. Sites visited in Wisconsin included Ashland, Eau Claire, Cedarburg and Madison, where staff wrote descriptions of materials documenting activities and traditional artists in all 72 counties in the state. Fact sheets with collection descriptions for each state will be printed and made available to the public.
Outcomes
This project led to the creation of six fact sheets detailing ethnographic collections in six Midwestern states, as well as 15 ethnographic collections documented and described in Wisconsin. This project is connected to other grant-funded projects, and continues and supports ongoing archival work by the UW-Madison Center for the Study of Upper Midwestern Cultures, which includes production and re-issue of music CDs, slide shows, books and more.
Focus Areas
- Arts and Culture
Counties
- Ashland
- Dane
- Eau Claire
- Ozaukee
Website
Partners
- Northern Wisconsin Heritage Connection, Cedarburg Cultural Center, Chippewa Valley Museum
- Wisconsin Arts Board, Northern Wisconsin Visitors Center
- Cedarburg Cultural Center, Chippewa Valley Museum
Leader
Ruth Olson, Associate Director, CSUMC
Department or Other Unit
Center for the Study of Upper Midwestern Cultures
School or College
College of Letters & Science
Project last updated on 8/11/2009