Special Exhibits
Famous Personalities from Dodge County
Brian Donlevy
Movie star Brian Donlevy called Beaver Dam home in the early 1910's. His father ran the local Woolen Mill. Brian showed an interest in all things military. Brian was the mascot for the Company K Unit here. His zeal for the military got the better of him, when as a teen, he ran off to enlist in the Mexican War. However, he was caught just prior to 'shipping-out' and was returned to his father, who then enrolled him in St. John's Military Academy in Delafield. Brian Donlevy became one of Hollywood's greatest character actors and sometime leading man.Click on the image, or here for more information
Delia Denning Akeley
Delia Denning Akeley was one of the most renowned African explorers of the early 1900's. Her works appeared in the The Field Museum of Chicago, the American Museum of Natural History and the Brooklyn Museum of Arts and Sciences. She is credited with having slain the largest elephant ever taken out of Africa. She was one of the earliest persons to study the habits of the jungle species, including: crocodiles, baboons, monkeys and elephants. She was the first 'white-person' to live among the pygmy tribes in the deepest heart of Africa, in order to study their tribal customs.Click on the image, or here for more information
Fred MacMurray
Fred MacMurray would forever call Beaver Dam his home. Although born in Kanakee, Ill., on his violinist father's tour, Fred would soon return with his mother to Beaver Dam, his parents' hometown. Here in Beaver Dam, Fred would enjoy the upbringing of a small town. He excelled at athletics, developed an interest in music and formed friendships that lasted for the rest of his life. Fred MacMurray became one of the greatest leading men in the "Golden Age" of movies, starring in over 80 feature films. He also was one of America's favorite TV dads, 'Steven Douglas,' in the second longest running sitcom in TV history, "My Three Sons."Click on the image, or here for more information
Harlowe Randall Hoyt
Harlowe Randall Hoyt was born in Beaver Dam. A member of the Babcock family that ran the local Concert Hall. Harlowe was fascinated by the theater. The early stock companies that traveled throughout the country appearing in small towns would spur Harlowe to seek a career in the theater. He acted in show companies, traveled as an advance man and wrote scripts for Edison's first silent movie productions. He was a playwright, author, newspaper reporter and drama critic. His book "Town Hall Tonight," is considered the quintessential text examining small town theater of the late 19th and early 20th Centuries. The book is still used as the course text at many major Universities including NYU."Click on the image, or here for more information
Maddy Horn
Maddy Horn was one of the greatest speed skaters of all time. She dominated the sport in the mid 1930's. At one point, she held the world record in seven of the 10 events in her sport. Over 60 years later, she still holds the record in the 220-yard dash. Maddy was the first Wisconsin woman to become the Woman's National Speed Skating Champion. She was selected as the only member of the USA team for the 1940 Olympics, but upon boarding the ocean liner in New York, was informed the games had been canceled due to the impending war. She won 65 of her last 69 races. Maddy was inducted into the Speed Skaters Hall of Fame in 1966.Click on the image, or here for more information
Raymond Zinke Gallun
Raymond Zinke Gallun is considered one of the three most influential pulp science fiction writers of all time. He was the author of more than 100 short stories and seven full-length books. Ray was the first author to depict 'aliens' as friendly, sentient beings. This plot twist allowed the sci-fi writer to 'explore' space rather than be limited to defending earth from attack. He created for the first time, staples that are commonly used in the genre today, i.e.. 'nanotechnology.' In later years, Ray received many awards for his contributions, among them, the "Fandom Man of the Year Award" and the "Icon Lifetime Achievement Award," later named "The Raymond Gallun Award."Click on the image, or here for more information