Picture of Health: A New CVM Exhibit

The Chippewa Valley Museum's historical collections are rich in medical objects - from animal horn bloodletting funnels to an iron lung once used to treat polio victims. Picture of Health, a new original exhibit at CVM, helps visitors explore what health and wellness have looked like through the years to different people in the Chippewa Valley.

Picture of Health will open on Friday, September 26, 2014 and run through May 1, 2015.

In developing the exhibit, Community Historians reviewed newspapers, memoirs, oral histories, and artifacts to explore accounts of how Chippewa Valley residents have dealt with sickness and health. The CVM Community Historian program brings volunteers deeper into the research process with special training and projects.

"The Community Historians really learned a lot about how to create exhibits on regional topics," said Exhibit Developer Melissa Holmen. "It's a fascinating experience to dive into reading and research and sift through so much historical information about your own town. You come to the surface with so much more connection to this place. I saw this happen over and over again as the team members excitedly 'connected the dots' of their own experience with those of others before and around them."

The exhibit is the second installation in a three-part rotation of new exhibits available to CVM visitors over the course of two years. Through the three exhibit rotations, visitors will encounter both the richness and diversity of CVM collections and the voices of fellow community members.

This project is funded in part by a grant from the Wisconsin Humanities Council, with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this project do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities. The Wisconsin Humanities Council supports and creates programs that use history, culture, and discussion to strengthen community life for everyone in Wisconsin.

The Chippewa Valley Museum is located in Eau Claire's scenic Carson Park. During the school year, CVM is open Tuesday through Sunday from 1 to 5 pm, with late hours Tuesday evenings until 8 pm, and early hours starting at 10 am on Saturdays. Admission is $5 for adults and $2 for children ages 5-17. Museum members and children under 5 are free. Admission is always free Tuesday evenings from 5 to 8 pm.