Current News
MARCH MONONA HISTORY CLUB
"Tailspin"
John Heart Photos, WIsconsin State Journal
UNJUST DEEDS
During the month of February, Monona Public Library displayed the exhibit "Unjust Deeds: A History of Racial Covenants in Dane County and Beyond". It was created by Rick Bernstein, executive director of of the Dane County Historical Society, after he discovered an interactive map which identified nearly 1,000 properties in the Madison area that had "racial covenants", prohibiting sale of the property to non-whites. The traveling exhibit will be displayed for one month at the following Dane County public libraries (scheduled talks by Rick Berstein at each location are in parentheses):
March: Belleville (6pm March 20); April: Waunakee (6:30pm April 17); May: Cross Plains (1pm May 3); June: Marshall (6pm June 18); July: Mount Horeb (6:30pm July 21); August: Bookmobile (Cottage Grove Aug 5, Shorewood Hills Aug 11, Maple Bluff Aug 19); September: Verona (1:30pm Sept 25); October: Sequoya Madison (Oct 6); November: Mazomanie (1pm Nov 8); December: Oregon (1pm Dec 13); January 2026: Middleton (6pm Jan 22); February 2026: McFarland
To view the interactive map, exhibit dates and more info click here: danecountyplanning.com/Prejudice-in-Places
John Heart Photos, WIsconsin State Journal
Mission Statement
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HBGHS enriches community life by collecting and sharing the history of the historic township of Blooming Grove, Dane County, Wisconsin including Monona and southeast Madison, its development and its people including the Ho Chunk, pioneer families and recent residents.
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HBGHS is dedicated to the conservation and interpretation of the Nathaniel & Harriet Dean Victorian House Museum.
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HBGHS and the Dean House Museum will engage with the community to bring history to life by being a treasured source of information and education celebrating all aspects of the history of the original township of Blooming Grove, Monona and southeast Madison.
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HBGHS aspires to be a destination where visitors and volunteers are valued and feel they belong. With conscious intent and continuous learning, HBGHS Board and volunteers will address barriers to inclusion through education, operational changes, and partnerships with the community.