View of the Mississippi River from Perot State Park

International Conference on Rivers and Civilization:
Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Major River Basins


La Crosse, Wisconsin USA
June 25-28, 2006

HOST AND PRESENTER INSTITUTIONS
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Home Page National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium Home Page

ACCOMPANYING PERSON ACTIVITIES

ACCOMPANYING PERSONS WORKSHOP AND TOURS (3 options)

Artistic Experience Workshop
(Monday, June 26, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.; minimum 10, maximum 30 individuals; fee is $55).

The Pump House Regional Arts Center (www.thepumphouse.org) partners with local artists to develop artistic experiences for groups and visitors to La Crosse. The experience is designed for everyone.No Talent Needed!

Experience the joy of painting while surrounded by art at the Pump House, which is located in a renovated historic water pumping station, one block from the Mississippi River and La Crosse Center where the International Conference on Rivers and Civilization is being held.

The workshop fee includes instruction and all materials needed to create your own painting. When your painting is finished, the artists will mat it and place it in a bag-making it easy to handle and fit in your luggage. Your instructors, Pam Lee (www.watercolorsbypam.com), Joan Nee (www.jnee.net) and Linda Steine (http://lsteineart.tripod.com/lindasteineartist/) are professional artists who teach regular classes, workshops, and retreats.

Note: Register for the workshop by contacting the Pump House Regional Arts Center (not through the conference registration process). You may register through June 12, 2006. Telephone: 608.785.1434 E-mail: info@thepumphouse.org

Great River Road Tour
(Tuesday, June 27; approximately 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; minimum 15, maximum 45 individuals; the tour fee is $40 and covers transportation, but not lunch).

This tour departs from the La Crosse Center at 9:00 a.m. and returns to the La Crosse Center at approximately 5:00 p.m. This van/bus tour travels north of La Crosse on the Great River Road and includes the following sites:

  • Buena Vista Park - Scenic view where eagles soar and you can see for miles from this Alma, Wisconsin spot. www.mississippi-river.org/alma.html
  • Nelson Cheese Factory - Shop for cheese, wine, and a large variety of refreshments. Enjoy an ice cream break. www.mississippi-river.org/nelson.html
  • Stockholm - Browse quaint shops in the oldest Swedish settlement in Wisconsin. http://www.greatriverroad.org/rivertowns/index.asp
  • Pepin - The childhood home of Laura Ingalls Wilder, a famous American pioneer and author. Have lunch at the Pickle Factory and enjoy a magnificent view of Lake Pepin (cost of lunch is not included in the registration fee). www.pepinwisconsin.com
  • Wabasha - Cross the Mississippi River into Minnesota through the river town where the comedy movie "Grumpy Old Men" starring Walter Matthau, Jack Lemmon, Ann-Margret, Burgess Meredith, and Daryl Hannah was filmed. www.mississippi-river.org/wabasha.html
  • Lake Pepin - The Mississippi River Valley and Lake Pepin were formed when the large glacial Lake Agassiz began flowing southward, near the intersection of Minnesota and North and South Dakota, through the glacial Warren River about 12,000 years ago. The massive flow of water decreased several thousand years later as the glacier receded and the waters began flowing in other directions. About 9,500 years ago sand, which was deposited at the Chippewa River delta where it joined the Mississippi River, acted as a damn and Lake Pepin was formed. www.mississippi-river.org/lakepepin.html
  • Lark Toys Carousel - View or ride the magnificent hand-carved carousel and shop at the nation's largest independent toy store. www.larktoys.com

Down a Country Road Amish Tour
(Wednesday, June 28, approximately 8:00 a.m. to noon; minimum 10, maximum 40 individuals; the tour fee is $25 and covers transportation).

The tour departs from the La Crosse Center at 8:00 a.m. and returns to the La Crosse Center at approximately noon. Step Back in time as you tour Wisconsin's largest Old Order Amish Community. You'll visit Amish farmsteads and have the chance to meet with the Amish families. Learn the History, Traditions and Customs of this group of people that stem from the Anabaptist movement of the 1500's. Your tour guide will share with you her many experiences amongst the Amish. Kathy Kuderer (the tour guide) was just 6 years old when the Amish began moving into the Cashton, Wisconsin, area in 1966. As a child she had Amish neighbors and today she has many Amish friends and neighbors who welcome her to bring guests to their farms for a sneak peak into the life of the Amish. You'll learn about "why they dress that way," and "why they don't use electricity and phones and many other modern conveniences in the 21st century," as you go Down A Country Road.