Who, What, When... Podcast of the Chippewa Valley Museum

Dive into stories that make up the tapestry of the Chippewa Valley. Freshen up on local lore, see things from a new angle, and of course pick up on facts and anecdotes you didn't even know existed.  Seek connection, and be inspired. We share surprising, entertaining, and authentic stories to illuminate Wisconsin's Chippewa Valley for those near and far, and help tell the larger story of America.

Guy Wood, whose family was instrumental in the stages of aviation in Eau Claire, shares stories about the aviation history in our area. The family played a pivotal role in creating the area’s various airports and eventually bringing passenger service to town. We get a deeper understanding of the timeline of airports and air services in Eau Claire.

Are you familiar with the story of the Eau Claire “Cave Lady”? Following World War I, Maud Phillips (aka Violet Leigh) was a well known figure in town. A popular local poet but a neglectful mother and adulteress who eventually moved her family into a cave off the Eau Claire River. A subsequent insanity trial has become a focal point in local history.

Jane Glenz, the author of a book that explores Maude, the cave and more in her book.
Get the book

Marge Hebbring, a board member at the Chippewa History Center, talks about her own, and the area’s, Native American heritage, and some fun historical information you probably have missed over the years. We learn about the Cadott family and their path to this area and some of the cool stories behind the names of area locations.

Frank Smoot, longtime local historian and the museum developer for the Chippewa Area History Center, visits with Jodi and Olaf. He guides us through a discussion of the heritage of the area’s indigenous populations.

• People have lived in this region for 11, 000 years yet it may be under researched and the reason why is fascinating
• Why the Ojibwa can be considered “immigrants” to Wisconsin?
• The Dakota’s history in the area
• The relationship between various white settler groups and indigenous peoples

On the debut of this new podcast series, Jodi and Olaf from the Museum are joined by Margaret Becher for a conversation about growing up in the area and in the model town of Ojibwa Pre WWII. Margaret’s father was instrumental in the planning of the town.

• Ojibwa was a model town in Sawyer County, what does that mean?
• How did the town develop and the original vision?
• Traveling from Eau Claire to Ojibwa regularly and differences in living arrangements
• What was life like in Ojibwa
• “The Mall” in Ojibwa - The story of the white Train Depot
• What was the highest population the town achieved
• The last time she visited
• What she likes about modern day Eau Claire