German Immigrants in Wisconsin

Mount Horeb is known for its Scandinavian and, more specifically, its Norwegian flavor. But this façade belies a rich multi-ethnic immigration history that deserves safeguarding, study and spotlighting, in its own right. Join us on Thursday, November 7 at 6:00pm at Mount Horeb’s Driftless Historium as we delve a bit deeper into the story of Wisconsin’s German heritage under the capable guidance of Antje Petty, Associate Director of UW-Madison’s Max Kade Institute for German-American studies. In the second half of the nineteenth century, more German-speaking immigrants settled in Wisconsin than any other ethnic group. Southwestern Dane County is part of this narrative, with scores of German immigrants chose the Mount Horeb area as their new American home. (German Valley, ring a bell?) Unlike many other immigrant groups, German were very diverse in their regional, religious, cultural, socio-economic and linguistic backgrounds. Petty will help us address the questions: Who where these German immigrants? Why did they leave their homelands and choose to settle in Wisconsin? How did they and their descendants shape the young state and were shaped by it in return? What traces did they leave that can still be found in the fabric of Wisconsin today? This program is free. Reservations are not required. For more information, call 608-437-6486 or email mthorebhistory@mhtc.net.