A Christmas gathering at the home of George L. Storer in Madison, 1894. Photo reprinted courtesy of the Wisconsin Historical Society.

Reprinted courtesy Wisconsin Historical Society

Christmas festivities at three of the Wisconsin Historical Society's historic sites will shed light on how 19th-century Wisconsinites celebrated the holiday in three regions of the state during different decades. Old World Wisconsin, near Eagle in Waukesha County, Villa Louis, on the banks of the Mississippi River in Prairie du Chien, and Wade House in Sheboygan County's village of Greenbush, all have elaborate holiday events planned.

Country Christmas Cookie and Craft Sale in Lebanon, December 6-7

Wisconsin Native Calendar Highlights

Holiday: Dickens of a Christmas in Ripon, December 4-7
Victorian Ripon will be dressed for the holidays with "Living Window" displays in the historic downtown, carolers, Historical Society Open House, holiday tour of homes, breakfast with Santa, Dickens of a Quilt Show, Enchanted Forest, and musical entertainment.

Whitefish Dunes State Park: One of the 2008 Gold Seal Award Winners for Best Swimming Beach in a Wisconsin State Park

Two state parks on the shores of Lake Michigan share this year's award for best swimming beach, both featuring beautiful sand dunes and miles of golden beach to explore.

Every year, visitors to Wisconsin State Parks and Trails are asked to vote for their favorite park or trail in 10 categories. The votes have been tabulated and the 2008 Gold Seal Awards have been announced. The Gold Seal results were acquired throughout the 2008 summer season using an online survey that was available on the Friends of Wisconsin State Parks website.

Sample excerpt from our weekly e-mail newsletter.

Registered users at WisconsinNative.com are automatically added to the mailing list for our weekly e-mail newsletter.

Your Letter From Home provides a weekly slice of Wisconsin life and provides you with quick links to some of the latest feature, photos and blogs.

Each week, you'll get tips for how to spend your weekend in our Eight Greats From Around the State, which lists highlights from the WisconsinNative.com Calendar.

Green Bay Botanical Garden - WPS Garden of Lights in Green Bay, November 28 - December 28

Wisconsin Native Calendar Highlights

Holiday: Santa Arrives in Chippewa Falls, November 28
Each year Santa comes to town in a new way, he has come by helicoptor, space ship, donkey, horse drawn sleigh and in a storybook. Frosty talks to the children while they wait for Santa and handmade ornaments and candycanes are given out to each child.

A boy drives two turkeys that pull his small vegetable-laden wagon, 1910. Photo reprinted courtesy of the Wisconsin Historical Society.

It has been an official Wisconsin holiday since 1830, while we were still part of the territory of Michigan, Governor Cass proclaimed the last Thursday in November as the day for the celebration of Thanksgiving. He advised that all of the inhabitants of the territory take the day off, unite with others, and give thanks. 178 years later the spirit of the holiday remains, although we've certainly added some new twists to the old traditions.

Big Foot Beach State Park: One of the 2008 Gold Seal Award Winners for Best View of a Sunset in a Wisconsin State Park

Two state parks share this year's award for best view of a sunset, one on the banks of the Fox River, the other on the shore of Lake Geneva.

Every year, visitors to Wisconsin State Parks and Trails are asked to vote for their favorite park or trail in 10 categories. The votes have been tabulated and the 2008 Gold Seal Awards have been announced. The Gold Seal results were acquired throughout the 2008 summer season using an online survey that was available on the Friends of Wisconsin State Parks website.

For the latest entry, go directly to the Go Green Travel Wisconsin blog.

Wisconsin has always been a leader in environmental protection and its people have been leaders in raising awareness for environmental causes.

Mirror Lake State Park: The 2008 Gold Seal Award Winner for Best Prairie Restoration in a Wisconsin State Park / DNR Photo by Paul Zajackowski

A Sauk County state park that features a still lake surrounded by pine and oak woods, sandy prairies and former farm fields that are now rich in native plants is the recipient of this year's award for best prairie restoration.

Deer hunters camp, Eau Claire, 1885. Six hunters and their dogs posed in front of their cabin with hanging deer. Photo reprinted courtesy of the Wisconsin Historical Society.

Beginning with the first regulated hunting season in 1851, just three years after statehood, deer hunting in Wisconsin has grown and now the state is one of the top deer hunting locations in the country.