Campus Connection

Two family-friendly historical-based events set

UW-La Crosse students continue to make history in downtown La Crosse. Students who took Ariel Beaujot’s “Introduction to Public and Policy History” class will add a second historical game for families during this year’s annual Historic Downtown Day, Saturday, Oct. 10. Last year’s “History Hunt” — a fun, competitive scavenger hunt trivia game — will return, along with “Pacing Through History,” a family-like walking tour that includes an activity folder for children. “Downtown is a perfect venue for my students to create public history projects,” says UWL Assistant Professor of History Ariel Beaujot. She spearheaded the popular downtown “Hear, Here” oral history project that shares memories of area residents who worked, lived and shopped downtown. “There’s lots of interesting history downtown, so it’s easy to keep adding projects.” History Hunt This family-friendly, scavenger hunt game successfully debuted during last year’s Historic Downtown Day. More than 100 people participated in the event that drew people to the historic downtown and into the local archives at the La Crosse Public Main Library. “The public really loved it,” says Julia Roden, a UWL student who developed the History Hunt. This year’s competition will be similar to last year’s, but will include new sites and clues, with some answers coming from the “Hear, Here” historical recordings. Next year, Phi Alpha Theta, the history honors fraternity, plans to continue the project. This year’s competition runs from 1-4 p.m. and will be headquartered at 326 Pearl St. The event is open to all ages; participants should expect to do a lot of walking. Those 14 and under must register with a parent or guardian. Registration is free to the first 150 registering and includes team T-shirts and cash prizes starting at $200. Registration closes Sunday, Sept. 27. Register at: http://history-hunt.ticketleap.com/2015/. Get more information at: The La Crosse History Hunt on Facebook. Sponsors of the hunt include: UWL History Department, La Crosse Public Library, Downtown Mainstreet Inc., and the Washburn Neighborhood Association. Pacing Through History [caption id="attachment_43668" align="alignleft" width="201"] “Pacing Through History” is a new family-oriented walking activity, has stops at eight historic sites and includes a bingo game featuring architecture. It’s part of two family-friendly activities developed by UWL history majors for Historic Downtown Day in La Crosse, Oct. 10.[/caption] This family-oriented walking activity has stops at eight sites highlighting historically under-represented populations downtown, and includes a bingo game featuring architecture. UWL seniors Jenny Derocher and Calli Niemi got the idea for the tour while attending a Wisconsin Historical Society Conference in Elkhart Lake challenging historians to develop projects involving younger family members who don’t typically take part in tours. The two included interesting stories to help participants of all ages remember historical facts. “Families and others can do it at their own pace,” explains Derocher. “They can go back to continue where they left off if they don’t finish.” The program is free. Participants can get the walking tour and activity information from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the historical booth at 326 Pearl St. Children completing at least four activities will receive a free pass to the Children’s Museum. After receiving feedback from participants, Derocher and Niemi intend to refine the tour and make it available at the DMI offices year-round. The two completed the project as part of a UWL Undergraduate Research Grant along with graphic designer Marc Manke. Other sponsors include the UWL History Department and Area Research Center, Downtown Mainstreet Inc. and the Children’s Museum. Events bring people, more downtown Beaujot says these two family-oriented programs contribute to a more active downtown. “These two events complement each other, so we’re able to hit everybody who wants to learn about downtown history,” says Beaujot. Along with the interesting history, Beaujot says projects like this are vital to promoting community relationships between the university and city residents. “It shows that it’s not only the administration that wants this, it’s also faculty and students who are interested,” she explains. Roden, a world history major from Port Washington, Wisconsin, says the projects reveal a genuine interest of students. “It shows we aren’t just going to school here,” says Roden. “We want to be involved. It’s really our second home.” Beaujot expects the two programs to bring more foot traffic to downtown. “Art and culture initiatives can have an important economic impact for an area such as La Crosse’s historic downtown,” notes Beaujot. “It’s been proven that people having a good time in an area will spend money in the immediate area and possibly return for restaurants and shopping again.” If you go— What: History Hunt When: 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10 Where: Starts at the History Booth, 326 Pearl St. Admission: Free; register at: http://history-hunt.ticketleap.com/2015/ by Sept. 27 What: Pacing Through History When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10 Where: Starts at the History Booth, 326 Pearl St. Admission: Free.