Jean Nicolet

Jean Nicolet

THE STORY: Way back in history—before Marquette and Joliet’s expeditions and before the French Fur Trade ever existed in Wisconsin—there was a man named Jean Nicolet. Nicolet was THE first European to explore what would become Wisconsin. Jean Nicolet, who was born in France in 1598, immigrated to Canada in 1618 to live among the […]

Charles de Langlade

Charles de Langlade

THE STORY: George Washington may be the”Father of our Country,” but do you know who the “Father of Wisconsin” is? It’s only fitting that the man recognized as the “Father of Wisconsin,” was born the son of a fur trader and an Ottawa woman. Our state’s “Father,” Charles de Langlade, was born in 1729 at […]