Second installment of Chautauqua series in Ferryville will feature fur trade on the river


Mary Antoine ...

The Ferryville Tourism Council is sponsoring the second installment of its Chautauqua Summer Series for 2018.  This program will be held Wednesday, July 18 at 8 p.m. in the Ferryville Village Hall, at the south end of Ferryville along Wisconsin State Highway 35, the Great River Road.

Featured speaker for this program will be Mary Antoine. Her topic will be the Fur Trade along the Mississippi River. Antoine is the current director of the Fort Crawford Museum in Prairie du Chien, WI and is a local historian. She has researched and written two books that she will be bringing with her for this event.

Antoine’s books include “The War of 1812 in Wisconsin: the Battle for Prairie du Chien” and “Frenchtown Chronicles of Prairie du Chien.” These are stories about life in this area in the second half of the 19th century.

The fur trade is an important part of the history of the river and the local area, and the July 18 program is anticipated to be a very informative power point presentation. Refreshments will be available.

The third and final program in this three-part Chautauqua series will be held Wednesday, August 15, and it will include Robert Taunt speaking about the steamboat “War Eagle” in 1870. Those who have any questions about either of these programs are invited to call Joanne White at 608-734-9018 or Sherry Quamme at 608-734-9077.