Digging up local history in Madison's Forest Park Cemetery!
October is Arts & Humanities month in Wisconsin. The 2022 proclamation from Governor Evers states, among other things, that the arts and humanities support thoughtful engagement with history, culture, and ideas.
Every October, Wisconsin Veterans Museum produces a public program called Talking Spirits. Wisconsin Humanities has been proud to support this educational experience for school groups and weekend visitors. Called a 'living history' program, the museum team researches the histories of people who have connections to the oldest cemetery in Madison, a city park that was founded in 1857. Theatrical scripts are written based on these stories, and actors bring the stories to life.
The 2022 program was called "Henceforth, and Forever Free," and the vignettes were designed to explore how the Emancipation Proclamation impacted people in Madison and Wisconsin. Four people, all former Wisconsinites, were chosen to be characters in the production: Howard Brooks, John Jefferson, Nodley Henderson, and Anna Mae Miller. Brooks was born a slave and served in the 29th Colored Infantry. Jefferson was the grandson and slave of President Thomas Jefferson. Henderson was a former slave who served in the Civil War. Miller was the wife of a prominent African American and together they were active in the improvement of conditions for African Americans in Madison.
We reached out to Jennifer Carlson, the Executive Director of the Wisconsin Veterans Museum, to tell us about her experiences and thoughts on the importance of the arts and humanities.
WH: What impact do you think arts and humanities programs, like Talking Spirits, can have on your community?
Carlson: The arts and humanities heighten our understanding of one another while providing perspective on the world to understand both the past and future. The arts and humanities create a certain kind of magic through creativity and expression.
The impact of programs like our annual Talking Spirits tours brings history alive! Our actors get to create this ‘magic’ through their performances and help the attendees to experience the past, foster empathy through the different annual themes, and also invite dialog and discourse about the founding years and beyond of our community and State.
These discussions invariably lead to reflections on who we are as Wisconsinites and how each of us impacts our communities through our actions and our contributions. I cannot think of a more valuable impact on us as human beings, than creation and expression through the arts and humanities.
We are celebrating our 50-year history as part of the vibrant cultural life of this state.
Whereas; the arts and humanities build connections and understanding between diverse groups of people within our communities, enriching the lives of all Wisconsinites...
NOW, THEREFORE, October 2022 is Arts and Humanities month!
→ Read the Governor's Proclamation!
