History Alive Project, Inc.

History Alive Project, Inc. Our organization creates "out of the box" projects to discover and maintain our areas history for community members of all ages.

06/07/2026

Stumper Saturday answer for # 420:

The man correctly identified was Palmer (Poly) Rude.

Stumper Saturday # 421:1. Besides the obvious, what do all six individuals have in common?2. Name each person.3. Wh...
06/07/2026

Stumper Saturday # 421:

1. Besides the obvious, what do all six individuals have in
common?
2. Name each person.
3. What number of Lutheran Churches are there currently in the
La Crosse Synod?
4. What major celebration will the CVLC celebrate in 2 years?
5. What took place at the CVLC on March 8 of 2026 after the
service?
6. What year was the CVLC established?

NOW YOU KNOW!As you woke up this morning, 82 years ago on this date some 156,000 Allied soldiers landed on the Normandy ...
06/06/2026

NOW YOU KNOW!

As you woke up this morning, 82 years ago on this date some 156,000 Allied soldiers landed on the Normandy beaches by the end of that day.

Think of this event and the brave souls as you go about your Saturday activities. Perhaps you washed clothes, did a little volunteer work, went to the dump or went grocery shopping. For the 156,000 men, no such activities were theirs on that Tuesday.

What they did, beginning with the five beach assaults, still should have meaning for each of us as we go about our Saturday activities.

You may want to see the movie "Pressure" which is currently showing in local theaters.

Closer to home, why not visit the War Memorial on Highway 27 going towards Cashton from Westby, where you will find WWII-associated names of area service persons from this area connected to WWII as well as individual names of many other service people that served as well.

History Alive Project honors this day in history and remembers those that gave their lives on June 6, 1944.

NOW YOU KNOW!A recent donation of this simple postcard from the Dave and Jana Dregne of Westby, WI, to the History Alive...
06/05/2026

NOW YOU KNOW!

A recent donation of this simple postcard from the Dave and Jana Dregne of Westby, WI, to the History Alive Postcard collection should bring back lots of comments and perhaps a few questions.

How old are most of the cars shown? What memories do you have if you had any association with this Cooperative?

In 1947, the Vernon County Breeders and the Trempealeau County Breeders Cooperative consolidated to officially form Tri-State Breeders Cooperative.

At that time, they had 26 bulls, 16 technicians and serviced 30,000 cows.

The back of this postcard notes that there were 120 bulls housed to breed over 400,000 cows a year in 28 Western and Southern counties in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa when the card was printed.

Photo credit to: Don Bingham, who at that time, was from Medford WI; he passed away in July of 2025.

NOW YOU KNOW!History Alive Project celebrates and salutes one of Westby's finest today. Did you know that he even has a...
06/03/2026

NOW YOU KNOW!

History Alive Project celebrates and salutes one of Westby's finest today. Did you know that he even has a road named for him in Westby: Polly Rude Way!

Please share your memories about Polly as we know many of you have treasured stories to tell!

NOW YOU KNOW!Today and tomorrow, the 2026 freshmen ending their year at Westby High School by bringing their final proj...
06/02/2026

NOW YOU KNOW!

Today and tomorrow, the 2026 freshmen ending their year at Westby High School by bringing their final project for History Alive Project down to the History Hus at 218 North Main Street, Westby. This whole school year started this year with all freshmen visiting the History Hus in September 2025.

Their final project had students pick a topic dealing with some aspect of the history of Westby or C**n Valley or the Chaseburg area.

History Alive Project has been working with Westby High School freshmen on a regular monthly basis now for 13 years. That means that over 1100 students, and to some extent their families, have been actively involved and as a result, have learned more about their area history. Their projects will be on display over the next several months at local establishments.

This year's students were excellent and eager to learn. History Alive Project teaching volunteers thoroughly loved working with these kids. Throughout the entire school year, mentor teacher, Andy Hulst, was an excellent coordinator for each and every class that was held!

Stumper Saturday answers to # 419:1. 20132. The Green Club 3. Here are the names of all the individuals.4. They did env...
05/31/2026

Stumper Saturday answers to # 419:

1. 2013
2. The Green Club
3. Here are the names of all the individuals.
4. They did environmental projects such as planting trees,
road clean-up, planting flowers and etc.

05/31/2026

Stumper Saturday # 420:

Name the person that matches the clues given.

1. This person was born June 3, 1900.
2. This person was very instrumental in the starting of the
Westby Syttende Mai celebration.
3. This person ran an oil business in Westby.
4. This person's great nephew sang at his funeral.
5. Burial of this person was at the C**n Prairie Cemetery held
with military honors.
6. This person was a strong supporter of the building of the
Westby swimming pool.

WHO WAS THIS PERSON?

Which clue gave you the best clue to this person's identity?

NOW YOU KNOW!Over the next few weeks, History Alive Project will be introducing you to our current Board members. Shown...
05/30/2026

NOW YOU KNOW!

Over the next few weeks, History Alive Project will be introducing you to our current Board members. Shown below is our Vice President, David Kraabel.

He is:
* an Avalanche WI native,
* a consistent 110% volunteer, bringing creative and innovative
ideas to all of our meetings,
* an active Westby community volunteer for his Church, as well
as being involved with Westby's Syttende Mai Fest,
* a very dedicated rosemaling artist,
* credited with organizing and MC-ing a terrific "Bunad Show"
for the Westby community.

History Alive President, Dave Amundson, recently remarked, "David has been and continues to be a rock star for HAP! I know that I can count on his encouragement, follow through and willingness to go above and beyond!"

NOW YOU KNOW!Last Friday, May 22, this year's Seniors opened their letters that they wrote to themselves, describing the...
05/28/2026

NOW YOU KNOW!

Last Friday, May 22, this year's Seniors opened their letters that they wrote to themselves, describing the history of when they were freshmen for their 2023 Westby School year.

The last meeting with this year's 2026 freshmen, the History Alive Project teaching volunteers again asked those students to write a letter to themselves and seal it in an envelope which History Alive Project will keep till their final rehearsal before graduation in 2029.

The students wrote what their freshmen year was like, both highlights and not so highlights. The purpose is to show the students that history does not have to be 50+ years. In their case, it will be covering 3 years. They are always amazed at how things have changed for them over these 3 years.

The History Alive Project teachers who had a great time working with all the students this past year, hope that they have exposed each of the students to some of the history of this area.

Everyone associated with the History Alive Project wishes each and everyone of you all the successes in your future. You are always welcome to stop in at the HAP house and visit.

Picture 1 is of this year's Seniors and the other photos are of some of this year's freshmen class writing their letters.

Address

Westby, WI
54667

Telephone

(608) 634-3034

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when History Alive Project, Inc. posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share