The Monroe County Local History Room and Museum will host a public lecture series this year.
The following programs will be offered:
• 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 7: “What Was the CCC? The History and Legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps” by Bruce Thayer — Learn more about the federal work program that employed hundreds of young men during the Great Depression.
• 7 p.m. Thursday, March 7: “DNA and Genealogy: The Basics” — Hannah Scholze will explain how DNA testing can be used to expand one’s genealogy research.
• 7 p.m. Thursday, April 4: “Cranberry Growing: Then and Now” — Explore the history and importance of the cranberry, Wisconsin’s state fruit, with Monroe County cranberry grower Nodji Van Wychen.
• 7 p.m. Thursday, May 2: “More Fires, Floods and Freaks of Nature: Monroe County Disasters” by Adam Balz — Learn about past county disasters, including the 1922 ice storm, the 1968 Sidney Hotel fire, and the Tomah flood of 1990.
The Monroe County Local History Room and Museum is at 200 W. Main St., Sparta. For more information, call 269-8680 or go to www.facebook.com/MCLHR.
A $1 admission donation per person will be sought and will be used to defray programming costs.
