History Sandwiched In Summer 2025

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. From the hidden history of prominent Wisconsin idols, heroes and icons to the lives of Wisconsin World War II infantrymen and more, learn about the people, places and stories that shaped—and continue to shape—the Badger State.

June 10 – BJ Hollars presents "The Wit and Wisdom of JFK"
While President Kennedy is well-known for his political feats, less is known of his wit and wisdom, both of which contributed to his campaign style throughout the 1960 Wisconsin primary. The campaign was filled with folly, from mistaken identity to stand-up jokes, car trouble to Jackie Kennedy posing with hams. Wisconsin provided Kennedy plenty of opportunities to transform mishaps into humor, and in doing so, he found the wisdom of laughing at oneself and winning over Wisconsin voters in the process. Learn of Kennedy's comedic style, and how he harnessed humor for political power—in Madison and beyond.

June 24 – Dean Robbins presents "Wisconsin Idols: 100 Heroes Who Changed the State, the World, and Me"
Who were the heroes, idols and icons who changed Wisconsin forever? Author and award-winning journalist Dean Robbins chronicles the people who visited, grew up in or transformed the Badger State in important ways—from Joshua Glover’s miraculous escape from enslavers in Racine to the fearless feats of legendary Packers quarterback Bart Starr, Robbins ties together narratives both poignant and historic to paint a picture that irrefutably establishes Wisconsin as a crossroads for extraordinary people who changed the world. Robbins’ presentation will be based on insights collected from his book, Wisconsin Idols: 100 Heroes Who Changed the State, the World, and Me.

July 8 – Mark D. Van Ells presents "Red Arrow across the Pacific: The Thirty-Second Infantry Division during World War II"
Pulling from his book of the same name, Mark D. Van Ells recounts the crucial role members of one Midwest National Guard unit played in supporting the Allies in the Pacific. During a gripping and thoughtful presentation, Ells will tell the story of how the “Red Arrow Division” rose from humble origins to become one of the most effective—and most battle-tested—US combat units in WWII.

July 22 – James Lattice & Kelly Tyrrell present "Chasing the Stars: Washburn Observatory in Science and Culture
Based on extracts from their recent book Chasing the Stars: How the Astronomers of Observatory Hill Transformed Our Understanding of the Universe, James Lattice and Kelly Tyrrell will discuss the origins of the Observatory, how our state’s astronomers – through their curiosity, persistence, and innovation - have helped us better understand our universe, and how Wisconsin astronomy has not just contributed to the world of science but also reflected and shaped the culture of the UW-Madison campus and the larger Wisconsin community.

August 19 – Dana Kelly presents "From Fjords to Fields: The Norwegian-American Legacy in Wisconsin"
Wisconsin was shaped by many cultures converging over its long history. Join Dana Kelly, Executive Director of the Norwegian American Genealogical Center (Madison, WI) to learn about some of this history and the contributions made by Norwegian-Americans starting with the first Norwegian immigrants arriving in the late 1830s and the 1840s. From forming communities to the accomplishments of individuals to helping shape our state's culture, discover how Norwegian-Americans have left their mark on Wisconsin.

See event website for more detailed information!