In Wisconsin's early years, most of the wealth generated through trade, manufacturing, and land sales was directed toward construction projects and land investment, leaving few resources to develop cultural and intellectual institutions. As a predominantly producing and distributing center, Milwaukee exhibited a pattern of building construction centered primarily on the stores, hotels, warehouses, and factories needed to supply the local trade and to accommodate the immigrants pouring in through the harbor. Despite the more practical and functional economic objectives of Wisconsin's early white settlers, however, many also expressed an underlying concern for cultural and social improvement.
![Link to article: Missionaries defend American-style schools for Indian children in the 1830s.](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/article.gif) | Missionaries defend American-style schools for Indian children in the 1830s. |
![Link to article: An early description of the Milwaukee Public Museum (1891)](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/article.gif) | An early description of the Milwaukee Public Museum (1891) |
![Link to article: A former student recalls Milwaukee Female College in the 1860's](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/article.gif) | A former student recalls Milwaukee Female College in the 1860's |
![Link to article: Letters from Milwaukee in its infancy, 1836-1846](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/article.gif) | Letters from Milwaukee in its infancy, 1836-1846 |
![Link to article: Electa Quinney, Wisconsin's first public school teacher](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/article.gif) | Electa Quinney, Wisconsin's first public school teacher |
![Link to article: Catherine Beecher and the development of Milwaukee-Downer College](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/article.gif) | Catherine Beecher and the development of Milwaukee-Downer College |
![Link to article: A look at the life and legacy of Frances Willard](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/article.gif) | A look at the life and legacy of Frances Willard |
![Link to article: Recollections of Old Superior](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/article.gif) | Recollections of Old Superior |
![Link to article: A college student begs for cookies from home in 1867](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/article.gif) | A college student begs for cookies from home in 1867 |
![Link to article: Madison parties in 1837](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/article.gif) | Madison parties in 1837 |
![Link to article: A Green Bay girlhood in the 1820s.](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/article.gif) | A Green Bay girlhood in the 1820s. |
![Link to article: A newspaper produced by prisoners at Waupun, 1886](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/article.gif) | A newspaper produced by prisoners at Waupun, 1886 |
![Link to book: A short history of prison industries, 1852-2002](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/book.gif) | A short history of prison industries, 1852-2002 |
![Link to book: A guide to the Wisconsin Historical Society headquarters, 1900](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/book.gif) | A guide to the Wisconsin Historical Society headquarters, 1900 |
![Link to book: The Stockbridge-Munsee Constitution, 1857](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/book.gif) | The Stockbridge-Munsee Constitution, 1857 |
![Link to book: The infant state legislature writes its own rulebook, 1853.](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/book.gif) | The infant state legislature writes its own rulebook, 1853. |
![Link to book: Conditions in state prisons, schools, and hospitals, 1955](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/book.gif) | Conditions in state prisons, schools, and hospitals, 1955 |
![Link to book: Women's charitable work before 1876](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/book.gif) | Women's charitable work before 1876 |
![Link to book: Opening of the La Crosse Public Library, 1888](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/book.gif) | Opening of the La Crosse Public Library, 1888 |
![Link to book: An account of the First Congregational Church, Prairie du Chien, Wis., 1834-1891](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/book.gif) | An account of the First Congregational Church, Prairie du Chien, Wis., 1834-1891 |
![Link to book: Population figures for every Wisconsin community, 1850-2000](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/book.gif) | Population figures for every Wisconsin community, 1850-2000 |
![Link to book: Susan Frackelton recalls the Wheelock School for Girls (1926)](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/book.gif) | Susan Frackelton recalls the Wheelock School for Girls (1926) |
![Link to book: Baraboo women found their own cultural organization, 1880](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/book.gif) | Baraboo women found their own cultural organization, 1880 |
![Link to book: A local historian chats about Prairie du Chien (vol. 1)](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/book.gif) | A local historian chats about Prairie du Chien (vol. 1) |
![Link to book: A local historian chats about Prairie du Chien (vol. 2)](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/book.gif) | A local historian chats about Prairie du Chien (vol. 2) |
![Link to book: An Abolitionist Recalls Anti-Slavery Days in Wisconsin](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/book.gif) | An Abolitionist Recalls Anti-Slavery Days in Wisconsin |
![Link to images: Pictures of Wisconsin school buildings, 1868-1950](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/images.gif) | Pictures of Wisconsin school buildings, 1868-1950 |
![Link to images: Prairie du Chien merchant and judge James H. Lockwood, 1856.](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/images.gif) | Prairie du Chien merchant and judge James H. Lockwood, 1856. |
![Link to images: Classroom rules for Milwaukee public schools, 1846](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/images.gif) | Classroom rules for Milwaukee public schools, 1846 |
![Link to images: Increase Lapham examining a meteorite, ca. 1868](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/images.gif) | Increase Lapham examining a meteorite, ca. 1868 |
![Link to manuscript: Northern settlers try to join Minnesota, 1847](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/manuscript.gif) | Northern settlers try to join Minnesota, 1847 |
![Link to manuscript: An Episcopal bishop's diary of his 1834 visit to an Indian mission.](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/manuscript.gif) | An Episcopal bishop's diary of his 1834 visit to an Indian mission. |
![Link to manuscript: The Milwaukee Public Museum is born, 1848.](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/manuscript.gif) | The Milwaukee Public Museum is born, 1848. |