Neville Public Museum of Brown County

Neville Public Museum of Brown County - Museum of Science, Art, and History

What You'll See

Learn why Wisconsin residents were seen as enemies of the United States during World War I.

Exhibit Details

During World War I, Wisconsin's large German immigrant population and early opposition to America's entry into World War I led to Wisconsin being branded as the "traitor state."

Although mostly forgotten today, Wisconsin was at the center of arguments over patriotism, loyalty, and the obligation of citizens to support an unpopular war. In order to convince the country of their loyalty, many Wisconsinites used coercion and sometimes force to require German immigrants to prove their loyalty. The Traitor State explores both Wisconsin's experience in combat and on the home front, and asks visitors to consider what decisions they would have made during the war.

In addition to an impressive collection of artifacts, the exhibit features a number of hands-on opportunities for visitors of all ages! Get in some bayonet practice, try on the gear the soldiers used, and camp out in a World War I tent. Visitors can also decide which foods should be saved for the war effort, and try to pick out the medicines that would best help them survive the terrible 1918 flu epidemic - and much more!

During World War I:

  • Hatred of everything German was common. Sauerkraut was renamed "liberty cabbage" and having a German-sounding last name was considered suspicious.
  • People who drove their cars on Sundays, or failed to buy war bonds were at risk of having their mailbox painted yellow, their property vandalized, or worse!
  • You could be fined or go to jail for speaking against the war or suggesting the government could do a better job.
  • The Spanish flu killed more people in a few months than the war did in four years. Today scientists are convinced that a new killer flu could strike at any time.
  • The conflict saw the introduction of tanks, airplanes, helmets, and machine guns on a huge scale, but the United States army had to rely on the British and French for almost all of its weapons during the war.

WWI Video

For the first part of World War I, most Americans wanted to stay out of the conflict. After America joined the war in April 1917, a group called the Four Minute Men gave hundreds of thousands of short speeches to convince Americans to support the war effort. The Four Minute Men implied that anyone who did not support the war was a traitor. Wisconsin Senator Robert M. LaFollette Sr. disagreed with this view and argued that Americans had a right to “Free Speech in Wartime.”

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Related Programs

The Traitor State: Lecture Series

World War I and Comedy

Join actors from ComedyCity as they present short plays and improvisionational skits about World War I. Shows will be performed between 1:00-3:00 pm with short breaks. Free with admission.

  • Saturday March 15
  • Saturday April 19
  • Saturday May 17
  • Saturday June 21
  • Saturday July 19

Tours

Guided and self-guided tours are available for school groups. Students visiting the museum with their class receive a free packet of WWI poster cards. An educational packet is available at the website. To make a reservation call 920-448-7840.

Support Documents

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