Share your Teen Voice!

A Wisconsin Historical Society “Share Your Voice” event for Northwoods Teens will be held on Monday, April 29th beginning at 6:30 P.M. at the Crandon High School auditorium.  Representatives from the Wisconsin Historical Society will be asking teens about what they would like to see in a new, modern state history museum.  Teens from all area Northwoods communities are invited to attend and share their voice.

“The fact that the Wisconsin Historical Society is engaging the teen voice in this decision is a powerful reminder that today’s youth will shape Wisconsin’s future,” said Michelle Gobert, Positive Youth Development Extension Educator in Forest County, whose office is hosting the event.  “Combining local history and youth is a win-win for both groups.  Research confirms the idea that children develop a stronger sense of control over their lives and build resiliency when they hear stories describing uphill battles and obstacles relatives and community members may have faced in the past.  These stories are what make each Wisconsin community unique and are what the proposed new museum will focus on.”

“The new museum will be about more than bricks and mortar,” said Christian Overland, Ruth and Hartley Barker Director of the Wisconsin Historical Society. “The new museum will reach all 72 counties and represent all Wisconsinites. Communities will be able to share their stories in this new museum network and because of that we want to hear from people all across the state.”

This session is part of a larger statewide opportunity in which local communities are invited to share their thoughts and ideas and to see design concepts for a new modern, state-of-the-art history museum. The goal of these sessions is to get feedback from educators, families, business leaders, and every sector of the public. A session designed for the Northwoods public is scheduled for Thursday, May 30th at the Olsen Memorial Library in Eagle River. 

“The input we receive at these public workshops will help shape future exhibits and storylines,” continued Overland. “This is a rare opportunity for the public to be a part of this process and to provide their vision of how the new museum can present Wisconsin and their history to create relevant stories that have local significance and national impact.”

The Wisconsin Historical Society has been working towards building a new $120 million, 100,000-square-foot museum for more than 20 years. The new museum will more than double exhibition space, and include state-of-the-art technology while providing learning, meeting and flexible spaces. The new museum will reach and connect people all across the state through distance learning technology and exciting, modern exhibits.

“Listening sessions are community-based including African-American, American-Indian, Latino, and Hmong communities in multiple locations,” Overland added. “These sessions are an important part of the process of ensuring the new museum represents the diversity and inclusion of the people of Wisconsin.”

The University of Wisconsin Madison, Division of Extension Forest County, is hosting the event.  For more information about the event please visit the Wisconsin Historical Society website, or contact Michelle Gobert at 715.478.797.

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