Hales Corners Historical Society Programs
Please Join Us!
We are offering historical programs starting in March 2023. Please return here for dates and topics. They are free for members and open to non-members for a $5 per person suggested donation.
March 15, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. - Hales Corners Library / Hunt Room
DON'T MAKE ME PULL OVER: An Informal History
of the Family Road Trip
Presented by Richard Ratay, Author of the best-selling book, Don't Make Me Pull Over
Richard's program is part history and part whimsical memoir in the spirit of National Lampoon's Vacation. In addition to being a brief history of America's first interstate highways in the 1950s, it is also a nostalgic look at the golden age of family road trips - before portable DVD players, iPods, and Google Maps.
June 14, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. - Hales Corners Library / Hunt Room
CORDELIA HARVEY: Wisconsin's Civil War Angel
Presented by Jessica Michna, Researcher, Lecturer, and Historical Re-enactor
Jessica will portray Cordelia Harvey, wife of Wisconsin Governor Louis Harvey, who died from drowning after only three months in office. Setting aside her grief, she focused on a nation wracked by Civil War. Her meetings with President Lincoln resulted in the building of three hospitals in Wisconsin, the basis of today's VA system.
August 16, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. - Hales Corners Library / Hunt Room
HISTORY OF WHITNALL PARK AND THE
BOERNER BOTANICAL GARDENS
Presented by Shirley Dommer Walczak, Botanical Gardens Director for Milwaukee County Parks
Shirley's program will relate the history of Milwaukee County's largest park. Originally, 660 acres were purchased from nine farmers and the park was built with the assistance of CCC workers and WPA artists. Now it's the home of Boerner Botanical Gardens, Wehr Nature Center, Whitnall Park Golf Course, and Margie's Garden.
November 15, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. - Hales Corners Library / Hunt Room
CHRISTMAS SONGS YOU RARELY HEAR
Presented by Greg Jenks, Retired Educator and Speaker for Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
Greg loves Christmas music but finds that radio stations play the same songs over and over again. In this program, Greg will touch on the history of Christmas/holiday music, play and show videos of Christmas songs that most people have never heard of, plus versions of songs performed by individuals they've never heard before.
All Hales Corners Historical Society events are free and open to the public.