The Wisconsin Hobby Exposition, Inc. was incorporated in 1938. It was a non-profit,
civic and state-wide educational organization, which held five hobby shows in the
Milwaukee Auditorium from 1938 until 1949 after the Thanksgiving holiday. The first
show attracted over 30,000 people over its four-day run. Shows were not held during
World War II, and were resumed in 1948. A show was not held in 1950 due to a lack of
funds; instead, the Badger State Hobbyists organization along with other local
groups began another hobby exposition, the Milwaukee County Hobby Exposition, which
was held at the Washington Park Boathouse in 1951. The Wisconsin Hobby Exposition
was officially dissolved by the state in 1985, after being inactive for many
years.
The goal of the Wisconsin Hobby Exposition was to promote interest in hobbies and
recreational activities among the local population. Young people were encouraged to
take up hobbies in order to combat juvenile delinquency. The show featured more than
150 amateur hobbyists (with exhibitors as young as 12) as well as a handful of
commercial exhibitors, who financed the show. The Veterans Administration, Milwaukee
Public Library (MPL employee Ed Seebach served as an officer of the Exposition),
Milwaukee Public Museum, Boys’ Club, Youth Hostels, Junior Achievement, Milwaukee
Vocational School, Boy and Girl Scouts, YMCA and YWCA all sponsored booths. The
Milwaukee Journal was also a sponsor of the
Wisconsin Hobby Exposition.
Types of hobbies showcased in the Exposition show included collections of miniature
dogs and elephants, playing cards, match book covers, coins, stamps, autographed
photographs, cigar bands, postcards, and campaign buttons; as well as the creations
of hobbyists, including model railroads, airplanes, racing cars, shell jewelry,
crocheting, weaving, hooked rugs, dolls, pottery, ceramics, and works of art.
