Title: Wisconsin Hobby Exposition Records
Inclusive Dates: 1936-1963

Creator:

• Wisconsin Hobby Exposition

Call Number: Local History Manuscript Collection 86

Quantity: 1.2 cubic ft. (3 boxes)

Repository:

Milwaukee Public Library, Frank P. Zeidler Room

Archival Location:

Milwaukee Public Library (Map)

Abstract:

Records of the Wisconsin Hobby Exposition, a non-profit, civic and state-wide educational organization, which held hobby shows in the Milwaukee area starting in 1938. The collection contains exhibitor contracts and invitations, memos, newspaper clippings, press releases, financial documents, correspondence, and flyers advertising potential entertainers for the shows.

Note:

To request materials from this collection, create/login to your Special Collections Account.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.mwpl-lhmc0086

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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.

This collection is largely made up of administrative documents and press coverage of the Wisconsin Hobby Exposition shows held in 1948, 1949, and 1951 and the majority of the materials are dated from this time. Documents include exhibitor contracts and invitations, memos, newspaper clippings, press releases, financial documents, correspondence, and flyers advertising potential entertainers for the shows. There are also materials from Milwaukee Public Library and their programs and displays that promoted hobbies.

The collection is arranged alphabetically by subject, then chronologically within each folder.

Wisconsin Hobby Exposition Records, 1936-1963, Collection 86. Local History Manuscript Collections, Milwaukee Public Library, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions on the materials. The collection is open to all in accordance with state law. The public may view Local History Manuscript Collections by appointment at the Central Library. To request an in-person appointment, create/login to your Special Collections Account. If you have any questions, please contact the Archives and Special Collections Department at mplarchives@milwaukee.gov.

Use Restrictions

The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright which may be involved in the use of this collection (Wisconsin Statutes 19.21-19.39).

Acquisition Information

No acquisition information is currently unavailable. The materials were accessioned as Local History Manuscripts.

Processing Information

Inventoried by Kadie Seitz and Charles Tonelli, Fieldworkers, 2014. Processed by Bob Jaeger, 2018. Materials added by Bob Jaeger, 2023.

Box   1 Folder   1	Advance Ticket Sales, 1949-1950
Box   1 Folder   2	Badger State Hobbyists, 1949-1950
Box   1 Folder   3	Banking And Finances, 1948-1950
Box   1 Folder   4	By-Laws And Articles Of Incorporation, 1938, undated
Box   1 Folder   5	Certificate Of Support, 1948
Box   1 Folder   6	Commercial Exhibitor’s Contracts, 1949
Box   1 Folder   7	Drafts, Notes, And Publicity, 1948-1949
Box   1 Folder   8	Entertainment, 1948-1950
	Exhibitors
Box   1 Folder   9	applications, 1949
Box   1 Folder   10	correspondence, 1948-1949
Box   1 Folder   11	general, 1949
Box   2 Folder   1	invitations, 1949
Box   2 Folder   2	Meetings And Agendas, 1948-1952
Box   2 Folder   3	Miscellaneous, 1948-1949, undated
Box   2 Folder   4	Newspaper Clippings, 1949
Box   2 Folder   5	Officers and Directors, 1947-1948, undated
Box   2 Folder   6	Partnership with Milwaukee Public Library, 1936-1963, undated
Box   2 Folder   7	Planning And Press Releases, 1948-1949
Box   2 Folder   8	Radio Spots and Interviews, 1947-1948, undated
Box   2 Folder   9	Samples And Blank Forms, 1948-1949
Box   2 Folder   10	Scrapbook, 1949
Box   3	Signs/Advertisements, 1949
Box   3 Folder   1	Sunday Afternoon Hobby Forum, guestbook, 1944
Box   2 Folder   11	Supplies And Equipment Required, 1951
Box   2 Folder   12	United Amateur Press Association, 1948
Box   2 Folder   13	Washington Park Boat House, 1951