Wisconsin Whoppers: Sensationalistic Storytelling, Tal Tale Tourism, and Cryptid Currency in the Badger State
media release: Learn About the People, Places and Events that Shaped the Badger State
Wish there was a way to get a crash-course on the most unique aspects of Wisconsin history in one place? Look no further than History Sandwiched In, where scholars, historians, authors and community members from across the state join together to hold engaging discussions on wide-ranging historical topics of interest.
All History Sandwiched In events are free and open to the public. Capacity will be limited to 60 persons per talk. Advanced registration is recommended to ensure your spot.
The fall season of History Sandwiched In documents the complicated histories behind two of Wisconsin's most celebrated industries: Door County's legendary cherry trade and Badger State tall tale tourism.
Explore how seasonal migrant laborers transformed Door County into "America's Cherryland" in the mid-twentieth century and how their often-overlooked contributions continue to shape the peninsula today
Discover the tales behind the tall tales of cryptids, fish lore, hodag hunts and other sensationalist Wisconsin storytelling
Nov 10 – Lowell Brower presents Wisconsin Whoppers: Sensationalistic Storytelling, Tal Tale Tourism, and Cryptid Currency in the Badger State
From folkloric “fish tales” to hodag hunts, cryptid legends and more, Wisconsin’s tall tale tourism history runs rampant with stories drenched in upper-Midwestern horror, humor and wit. Join UW-Madison Folklore Program Teaching Faculty member—and former werewolf hunter—Lowell Brower as he explores how historic tall tale masters combined the arts of sensationalistic storytelling, down-home humorism and seedy business acumen to draw attention, money and notoriety to themselves and the state. Operating from the premise that local legends can’t help but reveal the values, fears, hopes and dreams of their transmitters, Lowell will lead you on a journey to discover what the stories we tell end up telling us about ourselves.
Free and open to the public. Advanced registration is recommended
The History Maker Space is an active, community-focused space that hosts school groups, pop-up exhibits, author talks, public programs and more; located in the US Bank Building on Madison's Capitol Square.
U.S. Bank Plaza, 1 S. Pinckney Street, Madison, WI 53703
Know Before You Go
This portion of History Sandwiched In programming includes two dates. Please note that program registration is for individual lecture dates. When registering to attend, make note of which presentation is scheduled for which date.
Lectures will take place in the U.S. Bank Plaza large conference room on the 1st floor of the building, located just off the central lobby area.
Upon arrival, lecture attendees are to confirm their registration by checking-in with a WHS staff member.
All lectures will be in person, with capacity limited to 60 people per lecture date.
Admittance to lecture programs will be provided to ticketholders first, with seating available (when possible) on a first-come first serve basis for drop-in attendees.
As this program takes place during the lunch-hour, attendees are welcome to bring and enjoy food during the presentation.
Depending on the lecture, speakers may also be selling related book titles through the WHS online store.
Visitor parking is available onsite at U.S. Bank Plaza in the US Bank Plaza Ramp. Go to https://uli.com/parking for more information on weekday hourly parking rates.
Additional street parking is available and there are public parking lots within walking distance of the U.S. Bank Plaza building. Go to https://www.cityofmadison.com/parking/garages-lots/hourly-rates for information about the locations and rates of downtown Madison garages and street meters. The closest public parking garage to the U.S. Bank Plaza building is the Capitol Square North Garage, approximately a 5-minute walk from the lecture location.
A selection of stories may be recorded, streamed, and made available to the wider public by PBS Wisconsin via the University Place program on public television.
Attendees who are interested in learning more about the lecture topics and lecturers as well as those who have questions are encouraged to contact Jenny Pederson at [email protected] or 608-669-5160.
For more information, please contact the box office at 608-264-4848 or [email protected].
