From: "Seymour, Janet I - WHS" <Janet.Seymour@wisconsinhistory.org> Date: Wed, 17 Apr 2013 10:24:54 -0500 Subject: FW: New exhibit at Mt. Horeb Area Museum Message-ID: <488E289A5C909049B0E55F6B651B5B3502DBB2785335@MEWMAD0PC01G02.accounts.wistate.us>
“Natural Wonders & Human Interaction” exhibit installed in the Centenni
al Gallery of the museum, takes a historical look at the intimacy between h
umans and the natural environment of Southwestern Dane County.
The bypass of glacial movements thousands of years ago left Southwestern Da
ne County with a unique physical makeup. For centuries the area’s rock o
utcroppings, rolling hills, scenic valleys, rivers, streams and caves left
untouched by these glaciers remained a continuous fascination, even rallyin
g spot, for the area’s human inhabitants.
The exhibit will further explore the financial impact that the area’s top
ography has created, from automobile camping and park development to the di
scovery of Cave of the Mounds and the promotion of regional tourism.
“Natural Wonders & Human Interaction” will include the stories, art wor
ks, photographs and artifacts created and used by the peoples of the region
from pre-settlement to the present to reveal this longtime love affair and
fascination.
Large-format photos taken from the Mt. Horeb Area Historical Society’s ex
tensive holdings will bring the exhibit to life. The photos show area inha
bitants enjoying the local rock outcroppings and natural elements. The ear
liest photos date from 1875 when Andrew Dahl visited the area with his trav
eling camera and darkroom while finding a ready market for his images.
Works of original art, including a 4-foot by 8-foot water color of the Blue
Mounds created in the 1940s by Byron Jorns, and recent pieces by contempor
ary artists living in Southwestern Dane County will be featured.
Artifacts will include promotional materials from the discovery of the Cave
of the Mounds, an 1890s band uniform worn during a community gathering at
Mt. Vernon’s “Big Spring” and 1920s picnic and camping gear.
"Natural Wonders" will run for three years along with the museum's ongoing
exhibit "Ethnic Evolution & Contribution in Southwestern Dane County" which
tells the story of seven ethnic groups that are predominant in the area in
recent centuries: Hochungra, Irish, German, Norwegian, Scotch, Swiss and Y
ankee.
The museum is located at 100 S. 2nd St., Mt. Horeb, WI and is open May-Dece
mber, Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Sunday 12:30 - 4 p.m.
For more information www.mthorebhistory.org or call 608.437.6486