One of the many pleasures I have in living in the Madison, Wisconsin area is being able to visit the Wisconsin Veteran's Museum anytime I want to with relative ease - less than a 25 minute drive to the center of town, free to the public (donations accepted at the door), with fantastic exhibits of Wisconsin's participation in time of conflict from the Civil War through current day. For me the Civil War exhibit is incredible with many exhibits of the life of a Wisconsin soldier from 1861 to 1865, including a life size (1:1 scale) diorama of the Iron Brigade advancing through the cornfield at Antietam. In the December issue of THE BUGLE, the quarterly magazine of the Wisconsin Veteran's Museum (
http://dva.state.wi.us/Bugle/Dec10Bugle.pdf), a number of Civil War articles were presented in anticipation of the start of the 150th anniversary of this War Between the States. One article in particular caught my eye entitled "From Paper to Iron" introducing a new exhibit for 2011. This exhibit opens July 2, 2011 and covers the original document that Gov. Randall signed in 1861 declaring Wisconsin's support of Lincolm's call to arms, and the formation of the Iron Brigade as its ultimate fighting force. Also, in this quarterly, on the last page, was a full size advertisement announcing that the Museum's gift shop was now offering W. Britain ACW figures and sets - of course the Iron Brigade set "Chosen Ground" was shown. I am excited about 2011 and the start of the 150th anniversary of the ACW and I look forward to many wonderful afternoons visiting this fantastic museum and its Iron Brigade exhibit. Its a great visit and well worth the trip.
Mike
WB "Chosen Ground" set with additional Iron Brigade figures offered by WB. Backdrop of Gettysburg by Hudson & Allen. Diorama base is a section of my 4 foot x 8 foot "play table" custom made for me by Ken & Ericka Osen of Hudson & Allen
