WEST SIDE SOLDIERS AID SOCIETY, INC.

Our Mission and Activities

WEST SIDE SOLDIERS AID SOCIETY, INC.
MILWAUKEE/HALES CORNERS, WISCONSIN

West Side S.A.S. members and friends at the June 13, 2009, workshop with Cathy Stephens at the Irish Cultural and Heritage Center, Milwaukee.

The West Side Soldiers Aid Society, Inc., is a research-based living history organization, a modern-day soldiers' aid society,  and a 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity. It was created in 2006 to promote awareness of the Wisconsin Soldiers Home/National Soldiers Home movement in Milwaukee and the lasting contribution of this movement to veterans' health care. While education of the public is our primary goal, we want our common interest and “work” to be beneficial and enjoyable for members as well.

Our core impression is of the citizens of 1864-1867 Milwaukee, most of these prominent women and men in civilian and military life. We expect a higher degree of authenticity in dress, deportment and presentation from our members and a willingness to use this level of authenticity to tell the story of the women and men who cared so much for the well-being of Civil War soldiers.

Members participate in living history events and are available for presentations at schools, civic organizations and other educational gatherings. Members will help produce and procure items for the group impression, assist in WSSAS projects and recruit new members. 

Creating an impression involves an ever-growing knowledge of manners and mannerisms, attitude, deportment, speech patterns, news and culture of the period, including material culture. Impression is an ongoing work, aided by research, sharing and mutual encouragement. Event participation will be scripted whenever possible with ample time for research and preparation. This approach will help members move into first-person impressions and become familiar with the work of the West Side Soldiers Aid Society (1861-1864) and Wisconsin Soldiers Home (1864-1867)..

The Society is a member organization of VA Voluntary Service at the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center. Members are encouraged to support projects benefiting hospitalized veterans and other worthy projects.


West Side S.A.S. members take part in the annual December gift distribution and the February National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans at the Zablocki VA Medical Center. Members of the 128th surround (from left) Jennifer Sustar, Sharon Wildes, Carl (Santa) Sustar, John Thielmann, Marge Konet, and Barbara (Jingles the Elf) Hart.

Patricia Lynch, Laura Rinaldi and Terry Arliskas read the names of Union soldiers buried by the Lady Managers of the Wisconsin Soldiers' Home, Forest Home Cemetery, May 24, 2009. Deacon Dean Collins, Camp 1, SUVCW,  Tom Arliskas and Patrick Lynch led the service. The Society was joined by members of Camp 4, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War; 5th Wiscosnin Volunteer Infantry; 2nd Wisconsin, Company K; U.S.S. Carondolet; and Dr. Michael McBride, VA Medical Center. Next year's observance will be held on the traditional Memorial Day, May 30, 2010.


Civil War Dancing
Bi-monthly sessions are held on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m., at the Hales Corners, WI, Library. No experience is necessary. Dancers may come with or without a partner and in period dress or comfortable modern clothing. Dance sessions and presentations are free, but donations are welcome.

Come in your finest period dress for our National Dance Week session on April 28, 2009.
Same place (Hales Corners Library), same time (6:30 p.m.), but a few surprises!
Read more about National Dance Week.

2009 Dance Sessions
Tuesdays, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
July 14, 28
August 11, 25
September 8, 22

Hales Corners Library,
5665 S. 116th St., Lower Meeting Room.

We'd love to bring the spirit of the 1860s to your next meeting, event or private gathering. Contact us for details.

West Side Victorian Dancers assisted with the dancing at the Second Inauguration Ball for Friends of Reclaiming Our Heritage, February 28, 2009. More photos of the ball on the Friends of Reclaiming Our Heritage sponsorship page.



Quilting Circle
WSSAS members and friends support the society and our educational outreach by creating charity quilts and quilts for hospitalized and homeless veterans. The Sewing Circle meets on the third Sunday of each month, 1-3 p.m., at Building 1 in the National Soldiers Home Historic District, 5000 W. National Avenue, Milwaukee. For information, send an email or call 414-427-3776.

Check back for the 2009-2010 Schedule of the Soldiers Home Sewing Circle.


Research and Publications
In addition to research for living history impressions, members are actively engaged in the search for documents and artifacts related to the Northwestern Branch of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers. The Society works closely with the librarians of the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center in safeguarding historical materials and in transcribing records.

Publications Available:
Reproduction of 1889 Souvenir Book of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers
The Wisconsin Homefront: Caring for Soldiers During the Civil War (children's activity book)
Out at the Soldiers' Home: A Memory Book by Elizabeth Corbett Expanded Edition
My Dear Mrs. Hewitt: Letters of Fanny Burling Buttrick

VISIT OUR WEST SIDE SOLDIERS AID SOCIETY STORE TODAY!


Soldiers Home Genealogy
As of 2009, most of the soldier records of the Northwestern Branch of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, Milwaukee, are available on Ancestry.com We will gladly help you with searches using our finding aids and NARA materials.

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