How does a sundial compass give us direction about people coming to the area that is now Wisconsin?
The first Europeans in the area that is now Wisconsin were likely French explorers and fur traders who began arriving in the 1600s and continued trading in the area after the French and Indian War. The Le Maire Sundial points us to this time and the history of northeastern Wisconsin.
Let's take a look
Questions to consider
What can we tell about where this sundial came from by looking at it?
What was happening in Wisconsin around the time that this sundial is from?
What could a sundial like the one in the episode be used for? Who might use it?
Meet the historians
Get to know the historians. Each historian in this episode has a card with information about that historian.
There are 3 cards to read.
Beth Kowalski
Museum Director
I lead a fantastic team that collects, preserves, and shares the items and stories of our northeastern Wisconsin community!
Kacie Lucchini Butcher
Public Historian
I find and share stories from the past that have shaped our present, and love showing people how cool history is!
Cat Phan
Digital Archivist
I take care of photos and videos and sound recordings so they last for a long time into the future!
Quote from a historian
“You have to imagine this was a crossroads here in Northeastern Wisconsin of different people and different cultures meeting.”
Beth Kowalski
Episode credits
Producer
David Boffa
Coordinating Producer
Mia Forslund
Hosts
Kacie Lucchini Butcher
Cat Phan
Research and Writing
Louise Pfotenhauer
David Boffa
Mia Forslund
Special Guest
Beth Kowalski
Director of Photography
Ryan Hendricks
Videography
Ryan Hendricks
Ian Glodich
David Boffa
Editing
David Boffa
Ian Glodich
Captioning
Catie Pfeifer
Translation Services
Rev
Educator Support Materials
David Boffa
Mia Forslund
Kate Melberg
Web Design
Charles Barrows
Erika Kachama-Nkoy
Web Development
John Vieth
Graphic and Motion Design
Charles Barrows
Ian Glodich
Danielle Riseley
Additional Production Support
Philip Ashby
Al Barcheski
John Dachik
Angie Hause
Kurt Kaspar
Andy LaValley
Doug May
Will Salzmann
Executive Producer
Director of Education
Megan Monday
Director of Television
Jon Miskowski
Project Partners
Rebecca M. Blank Center for Campus History
University of Wisconsin–Madison Libraries
Wisconsin Historical Society
Special Thanks
Beth Kowalski
Louise Pfotenhauer
Neville Public Museum
UW–Madison Libraries
Educator advisors
Debbie Burmeister
Neenah, WI
Peoria, AZ
Erin Ermis
Neenah Joint School District
Neenah, WI
Toni Heinowski
Muskego, WI
Tanya Schmidt
Oshkosh Area School District
Oshkosh, WI
Barb Shaver
Kettle Moraine School District
Wales, WI
Funding Provided By
Timothy William Trout Education Fund
a gift of Monroe and Sandra Trout
Eleanor and Thomas Wildrick Family
Focus Fund for Education
Friends of PBS Wisconsin