Badger History Group - BHG

05/29/2026

Speaking of saving the oaks at Badger (see previous post on oak restoration with the Sauk Prairie Conservation Alliance), after our BHG Board meeting this week, a few of us -- Dan, Mike, Sandy and myself with an assist from Verlyn on getting water -- went out to hand water the young Bur Oaks, which were planted at the Farmers Memorial this Spring. These three oaks were among those grown from 100 acorns found on various farmsteads across the former plant area. (H/t to Curt Meine for envisioning the acorn planting! A spin off of the Badger Apple Corps.) Someday there will be glorious shade here by the small orchard of Badger heritage apple trees.

We are grateful to the Ho Chunk Nation for allowing us to plant these on their property, Maa Wakacak, and also for their helping us steward our connected histories.

05/28/2026

ICYMI! Saturday, May 13 was a partnered workday at Badger, where volunteers from the Sauk Prairie Conservation Alliance and BHG teamed up to remove invasives, overgrowth, and barbed wire along a line of old oaks just south of Hillside Prairie. Check out the before and after! There are regular workdays throughout summer. If you have interest, contact either organization. Happy Summer!

Thanks to the 13 volunteers that helped remove fence, barbed wire, and lots of brush at the Waffenschmidt Farmstead to free some beautiful old oaks. The result of your hard work is amazing! Special thanks to our friends at Badger History Group - BHG for partnering with us and to Jocelyn Milner for the great photos.

Join us for our next Volunteer Stewardship Day on Wed., May 20th. Sign up at: https://www.saukprairie.org/events.

05/16/2026

Help improve -- and preserve remnants at -- the Huber farmstead. Sign up for this coming Wednesday's workday with the Sauk Prairie Conservation Alliance. Training and tools provided. See original post for sign up. The Badger Lands are rather lovely right now, loads of birds, and you get a perfect view of the Baraboo range.

60s and sunny, perfect weather to spend the morning on the prairie, visit the historic Huber farmstead, and lend a hand. Training and tools provided.

Sign up at: https://www.saukprairie.org/events.

05/05/2026

Get outside this coming Saturday, May 9 from 9a-3p to the Sauk Prairie Conservation Alliance and BHG on a joint effort to clear overgrowth on old farmsteads and savannas. Bring friends, family, neighbors! Mnay hands make small work. See original post to sign up for the event.

Help us clear the way to access old oaks on the Badger Lands this Saturday. We’re partnering with the Badger History Group - BHG and need additional volunteers to help with this important effort. Join us for the day or as much time as you can. We're also looking for people to help pull garlic mustard. Sign up at https://www.saukprairie.org/events .

05/03/2026

"Hope Springs Eternal" - It's that beautiful time of year on the Badger Lands and at Maa Wakacak, where heritage apple trees are blossoming at the Farmers Memorial, the Baraboo Range is leafing out yet again, and the prairie is greening up as bird calls and song return for another season.

05/03/2026

HELP - Were you, and anyone you know, at the BAMBA* "Escape the Badger" mountain bike event last weekend at the SPSRA? The non-profit organizations that help steward this property in gathering history and advocating for ecological restoration would like to partner with you next year. Please let us know how we may connect with you?

* Baraboo Area Mountain Bike Association

04/22/2026

HAPPY EARTH DAY from the Badger Lands, where changes are afoot with a land management project! PLEASE SHARE this good news.

For the next few months, property managers, contractors and volunteers will be clearing the way for grassland birds by removing invasive trees and shrubs along the DNR side of the Great Sauk State Trail just east of Maa Wákącąk. Mechanized forestry mowing has recently made a huge impact, and it will be followed by hand cutting and treating to restore grassland and savanna habitat. This "Historical Grassland" project is a collaboration between Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Ho-Chunk Nation, Badger History Group, Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin, private donors and the Sauk Prairie Conservation Alliance. Trail visitors will experience a more open landscape amid sounds of meadowlarks and bobolinks.

From Press Release, April 6, 2026. Click images for more information.

04/13/2026

Our 2025-26 lecture season ended last week with an amazing turn out, but if you missed any, the Zoom recordings can be viewed on our YouTube page. Michael Goc's (talk 6 of 6) will be up in a few days. Thank you, All, who made it to the Museum or joined on Zoom for supporting these talks -- all different in topic but converging on the multiple histories of Badger. Until next season!

YouTube channel in Comments.

04/10/2026

Start your Saturday morning off with the great outdoors and give back to Badger! Tomorrow join the Sauk Prairie Conservation Alliance on April 11 from 9a-12p on their a workday removing invasives. Great group of folks! See original post for details.

Earth Month is a great time to lend a hand and help us with restoration efforts on the Badger Lands. We have two Volunteer Stewardship Days planned for April. Join us for one or both of the events (April 11th or 25th). Registration required. Sign up @ www.saukprairie.org today!

12/11/2025

Mike Marquardt's family photo of BOW workers. Nice group portrait! Thank you for posting, Sauk County Scrapbook.

Badger Ordnance Works Sheet Metal Shop
Aug 1, 1945

Standing Left To Right:
Lee Jeffries - Baraboo
(My Second Great Grand-Uncle)
George Steinke - WI Rapids
Herb Klein - Poynette
Leo Sceptenivity - Pardeeville & Baraboo
Tony Schwartz - Madison
Al Wilson - Menominee
Buck Nelson - Darlington
Quinton Ziemke - North Freedom
Ed Meyer - Reedsburg
(My Grandfather)
? Rosenthaul - Columbus
Art Dibdahl - Madison

Kneeling Left To Right:
Unknown
Unknown - Mazomanie
Unknown
Roy Atkinson - Portage
Ward Shepard - Iowa
Edward "Pappy" Meyer - Reedsburg
(My Great-Grandfather)