Collection Creator:

Smithsonian Institution. Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage  Search this

Type:

Archival materials

Introduction:

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.

Fieldworkers:

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

Presenters:

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

Participants:

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

Collection Restrictions:

Access to the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections is by appointment only. Visit our website for more information on scheduling a visit or making a digitization request. Researchers interested in accessing born-digital records or audiovisual recordings in this collection must use access copies.

Collection Rights:

Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.

Collection Citation:

Smithsonian Folklife Festival records: 1998 Smithsonian Folklife Festival, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.

Identifier:

CFCH.SFF.1998, Series 6

See more items in:

Smithsonian Folklife Festival records: 1998 Smithsonian Folklife Festival

Archival Repository:

Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/bk5c21a9ba9-d95e-44d2-b9e4-96ba1c3c8eab

EDAN-URL:

ead_component:sova-cfch-sff-1998-ref51