Monthly Archives: September 2012

Blogging with Benefits

Last week I was recognized by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel for solving a history mystery – that is, successfully researching the true date of the Plankinton statue. While my primary purpose for this blog was to practice using technology to … Continue reading

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Building the Historical Narrative

I’m on a mission to write the Plankinton story.  Join me on this journey of discovery – with some side trips to correct old errors and fix any new ones I make along the way. Stay tuned and chime in!

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Nine feet high, Not!

Here’s a lesson in carefully reading your source: In the previous post I paraphrased the 1892 newspaper article and wrote that the pedestal was nine feet high. After a more careful reading of the original source, I discovered my mistake. … Continue reading

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True date of Plankinton Statue in Plankinton Arcade is 1892

Two stories published in the 1892 Milwaukee Journal reference the installation of the John Plankinton Statue in the Plankinton Hotel lobby rotunda. The statue was placed on a pedestal, nine feet high, (correction: statue and pedestal together are nine feet … Continue reading

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How old is Plankinton Statue? 144, 129 or just 120 years old?

Plankinton Statue dated to 1883 Date of Plankinton statue is in dispute. Many sources claim the statue is 144 years old (1868), but it is more likely to have been created during the mid 1880’s when the sculptor, R. H. … Continue reading

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