Monday, September 21, 6:30pm
Dr. Eugene Tesdahl, UW-Platteville
Though you've likely heard of the Louisiana Purchase, chances are you haven't thought about it in years—if ever. But this landmark land deal reshaped the future of the United States, transformed the lives of the Indigenous nations who called these lands home, and forever changed the course of early Wisconsin. Join Professor Eugene Tesdahl as he offers a fascinating glimpse into this pivotal moment in history.
Dr. Eugene Tesdahl is a farm kid, originally from a town of 2000 people. He serves as professor and chair of the Department of History and Social Sciences at UW-Platteville in Platteville, Wisconsin. He teaches courses on Indigenous history, early American history, women’s history, social studies teaching methods, and public history. Tesdahl holds a BA in history from Luther College (Decorah, Iowa), an MA in history from Miami University (Oxford, Ohio), and a Ph.D. in history from the University of Colorado at Boulder. He welcomes all into a dialogue about the complex legacy of the Louisiana Purchase after 223 years.