Wisconsin
odd: label: Introduction
content: Wisconsin's industrial towns and cities are a patchwork of urban ethnic villages, neighborhoods comprising blocks of well-kept, modest frame houses with churches and taverns on the street corners. The church basement and the corner bar, much like the churches and crossroads taverns in Wisconsin's rural areas, have served their communities as twin hubs of social life. Those communities often have an ethnic dimension.

Whether expressed through church, tavern, or home, the role of ethnic identity remains prominent in Wisconsin. Fourth- and fifth-generation Americans in Wisconsin are still quite cognizant of their ethnic origins, as pure or as varied as they may be. It is very common in Wisconsin to be asked when first meeting someone the ethnic provenance of one's last name. Not only are there recent immigrants who speak Spanish, Lao, or Hmong, but German, Polish, Norwegian, and the Walloon dialect of French are still spoken in some Wisconsin homes by families whose forbears immigrated generations ago. In folk dance groups and ethnic orchestras, ethnic identity is taught to Wisconsin children, an important reason why ethnicity remains so pervasive in the state.

The varied traditions of the people who have made the state their home have influenced one another. The Belgians of southern Door County have embraced the brass-band dance music of their Czech neighbors in Kewaunee County, while the Czech Catholic parish picnics in the area serve up the Belgians' booyah soup from 60-gallon cauldrons. Some Old World folkways such as the making of Norwegian Hardanger fiddles and the weaving of Latvian sashes have been preserved or revived. Other traditions such as polka music and dancing or quilting are truly American, having developed from a mixture, a creolization of the contributions of various culture groups now living side by side in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin folklife continues to evolve and to be enriched by new immigration. Refugees from wars and political oppression continue to find a haven in the state. Wisconsin in 1998 had America's second largest population of Hmong, Southeast Asian refugees who actively pursued their unique music, craft, and social customs in the new homeland, as well as one of the major settlements of Tibetans. Latino populations in the state had increased markedly in preceding decades, the largest being of Mexican origin.

The Wisconsin program at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington, D.C., and its restaging in Madison as the Wisconsin Folklife Festival were auspicious events to honor the many people who preserve Wisconsin's folklife and to observe Wisconsin's sesquicentennial of statehood. It was a challenging task to represent the folklife of the five million residents of Wisconsin in a single event involving only ten or twelve dozen people. The program participants were all considered to be outstanding bearers of traditions significant in Wisconsin, all evidence of the natural, cultural, and historical forces that have molded Wisconsin's unique and vital folklife.

Richard March and Thomas Vennum were Curators, and Ruth Olson, Anne Pryor, and Arlene Reiniger were Program Coordinators.

The Wisconsin program was made possible by and was produced in cooperation with the Wisconsin Arts Board and the Wisconsin Sesquicentennial Commission on the occasion of Wisconsin's 150th anniversary of statehood. Wisconsin corporate contributors included AT&T, SC Johnson Wax, and The Credit Unions of Wisconsin.
label: Fieldworkers
content: Lisa Akey, Terese Allen, Mike Chiarappa, Janet C. Gilmore, Gina Grumke, Michelle Hartley, Anita Hecht, Cindy Kerchmar, Andy Kraushaar, Barbara Lau, Jim Leary, Richard March, Ruth Olson, Anne Pryor, Lynn Ramsey, Bob Rashid, Pete Roller, Craig Stinson, Evelyn Terry, Bob Teske, Thomas Vennum, Mai Zong Vue, Thomas U. Walker
label: Presenters
content: David Bisonette, Mike Chiarappa, Cindy Kerchmar, Barbara Lau, Richard March, Ruth Olson, Anne Pryor, Bob Rashid, Pete Roller, Erin Roth, Gary Sturm, Evelyn Terry, Bob Teske, Mai Zong Vue, Mark Wagler, Joe Bee Xiong, Thomas Vennum
label: Participants
content: Music and Dance Traditions

CLETE BELLIN ORCHESTRA, CZECH OLD-TIME  -- CLETE BELLIN ORCHESTRA, CZECH OLD-TIMECletus Bellin, 1943-2010, piano, vocals, Forestville, WisconsinGene Burmeister, trumpet, Green Bay, WisconsinBill Jerabek, drums, vocal harmony, Denmark, WisconsinJoseph Jerabek, tuba, Casco, WisconsinDiana Schroeder, accordion, Manitowoc, WisconsinJohn Wiedow, trumpet, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Gary Drzewiecki, polka dancer, Pulaski, Wisconsin

Julie Drzewiecki, polka dancer, Pulaski, Wisconsin

HAESE & SCHLEI, SCHRAMMEL MUSIC  -- HAESE & SCHLEI, SCHRAMMEL MUSICElfrieda Haese, vocals, Colgate, WisconsinHeidi Schlei, zither, vocals, Sussex, Wisconsin

Linda Hartwich, polka dancer, Trempealeau, Wisconsin

Randy Thull, polka dancer, River Falls, Wisconsin

KARL & THE COUNTRY DUTCHMEN, DUTCHMAN MUSIC  -- KARL & THE COUNTRY DUTCHMEN, DUTCHMAN MUSICNic Dunkel, trumpet, Black Earth, WisconsinKarl Hartwich, concertina, Trempealeau, WisconsinTony Kaminski, tuba, Trempealeau, WisconsinJeff Langen, drums, LaCrescent, MinnesotaFrank Melmer, banjo, Owatonna, MinnesotaGary Schroeder, trumpet, Fairfax, Minnesota

Frank Montano, Woodland flute, Bayfield

NORM DOMBROWSKI & THE HAPPY NOTES, POLISH POLKA  -- NORM DOMBROWSKI & THE HAPPY NOTES, POLISH POLKAKen Camlek, trumpet, vocals, Stevens Point, WisconsinJoe Dombrowski, trumpet, vocals, Stevens Point, WisconsinMark Dombrowski, saxophone, clarinet, vocals, Stevens Point, WisconsinNorm Dombrowski, drums, vocals, Stevens Point, WisconsinMarie Kubowski, piano, concertina, violin, vocals, Stevens Point, WisconsinJoe Larson, bass, Stevens Point, Wisconsin

NORSKEDALEN TRIO, NORWEGIAN FIDDLE  -- NORSKEDALEN TRIO, NORWEGIAN FIDDLEEleanor Bagstad, piano, Westby, WisconsinTilford Bagstad, fiddle, Westby, WisconsinBeatrice Olson, accordion, Westby, Wisconsin

QUEENS OF HARMONY, AFRICAN AMERICAN GOSPEL  -- QUEENS OF HARMONY, AFRICAN AMERICAN GOSPELJulia Love Brown, tenor, high tenor, Milwaukee, WisconsinDorothy Johnson, baritone, lead, Milwaukee, WisconsinJoyce Johnson, tenor, high tenor, Milwaukee, WisconsinJessie McCullum, tenor, high tenor, Milwaukee, WisconsinElla Ray, baritone, lead, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

STEVE & VERNE MEISNER ORCHESTRA, SLOVENIAN-STYLE POLKA  -- STEVE & VERNE MEISNER ORCHESTRA, SLOVENIAN-STYLE POLKARick Hartman, drums, Whitewater, WisconsinGary Hendrickson, banjo, Monroe, WisconsinSteve Meisner, accordion, bass, piano, Whitewater, WisconsinVerne Meisner, accordion, Waukesha, WisconsinLarry Sokolowski, saxophone, De Forest, Wisconsin

VATRA, TAMBURITZA  -- VATRA, TAMBURITZAIvo Gretic, berde, Greenfield, WisconsinBoris Kuzmanovic, brač, vocals, Greendale, WisconsinDavor Pozgaj, bugarija, vocals, Milwaukee, WisconsinChristopher Ulm, brač, vocals, Milwaukee, WisconsinRyan Werner, prim, brač, čelo, West Allis, Wisconsin

Craft Traditions

Annabelle Argand, needle worker, Madison, Wisconsin

Else Bigton, furniture builder, Barronett, Wisconsin

Andrej Borzecki, shrine maker, Armstrong Creek, Wisconsin

Joe Bunij, shrine maker, Armstrong Creek, Wisconsin

Ray Cadotte, dance regalia maker, Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin

Jose Chavez, altar,  -- santos -- , retablos maker, Franklin, Wisconsin

Rosa Chavez, altar maker, Franklin, Wisconsin

Venerable Ngawang Chojor, sand mandala maker, Madison, Wisconsin

Betty Piso Christenson, egg decorator, Suring, Wisconsin

Diane DeFoe, birch-bark basket maker, Bayfield, Wisconsin

Pat Ehrenberg, quilter, Ripon, Wisconsin

Jean Giese, rosemaler, DeSoto, Wisconsin

Nancy R. Hall, black ash basket weaver, Wittenberg, Wisconsin

Sidney Hall, black ash basket weaver, Wittenberg, Wisconsin

Margaret Hart, moccasins, regalia maker, Cumberland, Wisconsin

Bernie Jendrzejczak, paper cutter, Hales Corner, Wisconsin

Joe Krevs, accordion repairer, maker, player, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

George Leazer, clay doll maker, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Marie Leazer, rag doll maker, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Wang Xiong Lee, metalworker, La Crosse, Wisconsin

Stephanie Vuljanic Lemke, egg decorator, Mazomanie, Wisconsin

Constance Mahairas, icon painter, La Crosse, Wisconsin

Hazel M. Maki, rag rug weaver, Washburn, Wisconsin

George McCormick, wooden doll carver, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Vera Mednis, sash weaver, Warrens, Wisconsin

Kim Nishimoto, corn husk doll maker, De Pere, Wisconsin

Phil Odden, woodcarver, Barronett, Wisconsin

Christine Okerlund, quill basket maker, Wittenberg, Wisconsin

Linda Ollerman, quilter, Ripon, Wisconsin

Ron Poast, Hardanger fiddle maker, Black Earth, Wisconsin

Elda Schiesser, paper cutter, New Glarus, Wisconsin

Mildred Schuman, beadwork artist, Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin

Velma Seales, quilter, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Blanche Shankle, quilter, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Eileen Skinaway, headwork, regalia artist, Luck, Wisconsin

Irene Vuorenmaa, rag rug weaver, Hurley, Wisconsin

Sidonka Wadina, wheat weaver, Lyons, Wisconsin

Kou Xiong, marriage broker, Madison, Wisconsin

Dang Yang,  -- qeej  -- maker, player, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Long Yang, basket maker, Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Moa Yang, needle worker, Watertown, Wisconsin

Occupational & Recreational Traditions

Jeff Ackley, wild rice harvester, Crandon, Wisconsin

Neena Ackley, wild rice treader, Madison, Wisconsin

Vicki Ackley, wild rice harvester, Madison, Wisconsin

Ed Beaumont, logger, Brantwood, Wisconsin

Joe Belliveau, tree farmer, Tomahawk, Wisconsin

Norma Belliveau, wreath maker, tree farmer, Tomahawk, Wisconsin

Fred Benjamin, moccasin game singer, Lac Court Oreilles, Wisconsin

Brooks Big John, decoy carver, fisherman, fishing guide, Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin

Bradley Boon, dairy farmer, Greenwood, Wisconsin

Duane Boon, dairy farmer, Greenwood, Wisconsin

Dale Buhrow, beer brewer, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin

Mark Bussian, 4-H activities, pig showing, Columbus, Wisconsin

John Bussman, cheese maker, Monroe, Wisconsin

Bill Casper, sturgeon fisherman, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin

Chris Dimka, shoemaker, Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Harold Hettrick, duck hunter, Ferryville, Wisconsin

Roger King, ginseng grower, Wausau, Wisconsin

Randy Krahenbuhl, cheese maker, Monticello, Wisconsin

Shelley Krahenbuhl, cheese maker, Monticello, Wisconsin

Willi Kruschinski, boat builder, lure maker, Winchester, Wisconsin

Betty Lacapa, wild rice parcher, Lac Court Oreilles, Wisconsin

Tony Mayotte, wild rice harvester, Lac Court Oreilles, Wisconsin

Tim Murphy, beer brewer, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin

Dennis O'Donnell, "junque" artist, dairy farmer, Frederic, Wisconsin

Arthur Oksuita, beer brewer, Stevens Point, Wisconsin

Peggy Rau, dairy farmer, Dorchester, Wisconsin

Zak Rau, dairy farmer, Dorchester, Wisconsin

Bill Schlinsog, cheese maker, grader, Madison, Wisconsin

Mary Lou Schneider, sturgeon decoy carver, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin

Harold Schumacher, ginseng grower, Marathon, Wisconsin

Tim Smith, deer hunter, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Paul "Sugar Bear" Smith, heritage gardener, Oneida, Wisconsin

Pam Walker, cranberry grower, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin

Ryan Walker, cranberry grower, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin

Hollis Ward, tavern owner, Elkhorn, Wisconsin

Cindy Wills, 4-H activities, pig showing, Belmont, Wisconsin

Darron Wills, 4-H activities, pig showing, Belmont, Wisconsin

Gina Wills, 4-H activities, pig showing, Belmont, Wisconsin

James Van Wychen, cranberry grower, Warrens, Wisconsin

Nodji Van Wychen, cranberry grower, Warrens, Wisconsin

John Zappa, beer brewer, Stevens Point, Wisconsin

Foodways Traditions

Dorthy Hodgson, pasty maker, Shullsburg, Wisconsin

Eric Olesen,  -- kringle  -- baker, Racine, Wisconsin

Debra Usinger, sausage maker, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin Marching Band

Mike Leckrone, Director of Bands

Galen S. Karriker, Assistant Director of Bands

John Biester, Announcer

Gary Smith, Photographer

Gary Moore, Security Officer

Clarinet

Jennifer Ceman, Christopher Goss, Amy Krier, Missy Mayer

Saxophone

Ben Bares, Brianna Benjamin, Tracy Daluge, Mike Dettman, Christopher Herlache, Andrew Klaetsch, Nicole Kreuziger, Amanda Newby, Laurie Strobel

Trumpet

Anne Abrahamson, Nicole Ammerman, Franz Arvold, Jon Berge, Rachel Berger, Ryan Beverung, Erika Breiby, Scott Brown, Jonathan Claas, Ryan Cook, Jolene Crosby, Derek Daun, Robert Detlefson, Pat Feldhausen, Mark Flanner, Steve Geiger, Merris Gullickson, Melissa Hampton, Paul Henslin, Scott Hurley, Raymond Konyn, Rob Koth, Jennifer Lange, Chad Leblanc, Steve Lindley, Paul Lindorf, Sarah Macleish, Scott Magee, Melissa Martin, Maureen McDonald, Nicholas Myhre, Chris Nelson, Jill Newman, Cara Olbrantz, Heidi Platt, Adam Plotkin, Brad Pope, Brian Pope, T. Gregory Reed, Kristen Riebau, Daniel Ries, Jason Reisterer, Neal Rozga, Jason Rymer, Heidi Salzmann, Chris Sawyer, Kimberly Scheidegger, Steve Schmitt, Cathie Schallue, Anna Sics, Benjamin Socie, Erica St. John, Chris Stillwell, Mathew Sullivan, Bill Utter, Stephanie Volden, Katie Wachowski, Justin Woodley

Fluegelhorn

Bob Bailey, Joel Dreier, Nathan Lukecart

Mellophonium

Emily Engel, Ellen Ezerins, Elizabeth Mergener, Laura Pedersen, Chris Remington, Rae Dawn Rippchen, Jamie Ruprecht, Raechal Sager, Steve Schrammel, Sara White

Trombone

Damon Bach, Geoff Bares, Derek Berget, John Buchholz, Cassie Carbon, Karey Clark, Tony Diehl, Tim Drews, Jeff Gentile, Laura Hageman, Erik Hoven, Gregory Ingersoll, Brad Knoll, Chris Knudson, Natalie Krueger, Kyle Manske, Edward Niles, Tim Nowaczyk, Daniel Olson, Craig Parker, Sue Peck, Greg Piefer, Eric Plate, Erin Pyzik, Amy Quackenbush, Kim Rauwald, Daniel Rooney, Gretchen Scheidler, Zac Schultz, Sarah Simonis, Brian Skinner, Brett Slaney, Joel Sohre, Ray Tainter, Jake Thull, William Tills, Geoffrey Wawrzyniak, Michael Whisler, Marie Zimmer, Brian Zweig

Euphonium

Andy Forster, Ann Kaminski, Rob Konitzer, Kevin Krause, Branden Linley, Michael Tessmer, Dan Uttech, David Wirch

Tuba

Zachery Dachel, Daniel Evans, Hugh Francis, Shane Haack, Carl Jo Keller, Hans Peterman, Mark Pronovici, Michael Schmidt, Kyle Schneider, Rob Scholl, Andy Schuh, Mindy Tempelis

Percussion

Aaron Faessler, Brian Frailing, Tricia Horwitz, Joel Jacklin, Tony Larocca, Brent Lavin, David Muencheberg, Kristin Sebranek, Geoff Seufert, Kevin Sprewer

Field Assistants

Sean Chandler, Bill Garvey, Carl Gitchel, Mark Messer, Cindy Schwibinger, Fritz Statz, Michael Stone, Janice Stone, Matthew Whiting
name: label: Collection Creator
content: Smithsonian Institution. Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage
setName: label: See more items in
content: Smithsonian Folklife Festival records: 1998 Smithsonian Folklife Festival
dataSource: label: Archival Repository
content: Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections
identifier: label: Identifier
content: CFCH.SFF.1998, Series 6
objectType: label: Type
content: Archival materials