Wisconsin

Ethnicity and Culture

Social networks based on cultural ancestry are very prevalent in Wisconsin. Over 85 percent of Wisconsin residents can trace their heritage to northern Europe. European immigrants from Germany began arriving in Wisconsin around 1850. They originally settled in areas with similar characteristics to their homeland, establishing communities based on both agriculture and industry. They have formed social networks based on their religion, family-based interaction, and cultural heritage events. In Milwaukee, these early immigrants played a major part in developing the brewing industry and introduced taverns and beer gardens not only for refreshment but also as community meeting places. This tradition of social gathering continues, as over 42 percent of state residents in 69 counties identified their ancestry as German in 2008. Germanfest and Oktoberfest are major annual festivals held in Milwaukee and several other counties to celebrate German music, food, and drink. Religious social networks have also formed within both the Roman Catholic and Lutheran churches. Membership of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, whose close-knit congregation observes a strictly traditional religious belief, provides another religious network.

Eleven Native American tribes in Wisconsin have established communities within the state. They have preserved many aspects of their traditional way of life and community tribal networks, often using technology to relay information and promote their businesses through their Websites. Since casino gaming took off in the early 1980s, most tribes have established at least one casino on their reservation, creating opportunities for new social connections with visitors who provide revenue for tribal services and businesses.

In keeping with the “Wisconsin idea” established at the turn of the century by the Progressive movement in politics, an all-encompassing state educational system provides many opportunities for social networks to be formed. The Free High School Law of 1875 initiated a system of free public education administered at the state level by the Department of Public Instruction, while boards supervise local districts. The University of Wisconsin system has 26 campuses and enrolls 178,000 students, of whom approximately 75 percent are residents of the state or neighboring Minnesota. In addition, there are extensive networks of educational outreach. Each year 120,000 people participate in continuing education programs, which include media presentations from Wisconsin public radio and public television stations. The nonprofit Wisconsin Cultural Coalition has formed an active online http://community-PortalWisconsin.org—in partnership with state educational, cultural, historical, and literary organizations in support of history, culture, arts, and humanities. In addition, long-established private schools, including Marquette University and Beloit College, have their own networks of student, faculty, and alumni. Northland College in Ashland specializes in providing liberal arts with an environmental focus, drawing students and faculty to its unique mission.

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