History doesn’t have to be a lecture.
Carl Reinemann has spent years turning archival research and forgotten stories into presentations that engage, entertain, and occasionally surprise audiences who thought they already knew their local history. He brings the same instincts that drive the One Shot at History podcast into every room he walks into — primary sources, historic photographs, GIS mapping, original documents, and a storyteller’s sense of what makes history land.
No two audiences are the same. No two presentations are alike.
What to Expect
Carl draws from decades of hands-on archival research — old newspaper columns, court records, sworn depositions, and the collections of institutions like the State Historical Society of Wisconsin. Every presentation is built around original material, not textbook summaries.
Expect historic photographs you’ve never seen. Maps that put forgotten places back on the landscape. Stories about ordinary people who shaped their communities and were almost completely lost to history.
Presentation Topics
The Rise and Fall of Lake Horicon and Its Steamers An illustrated journey through one of Wisconsin’s most remarkable environmental stories. This presentation chronicles the dramatic transformation of Horicon Marsh — from a vast natural wetland to one of the largest man-made inland lakes in the world, and back again to the treasured marsh ecosystem we know today. Along the way, discover the steamboats, the commerce, and the colorful characters who thrived during Lake Horicon’s golden age.
The Horicon Marsh From Indigenous use through industrial transformation and modern conservation — the full layered human story behind one of Wisconsin’s most remarkable landscapes.
Unsolved Crimes & Cold Cases Historical crimes that were never fully resolved, reconstructed from original court records, coroner reports, and newspaper accounts.
Overlooked Figures & Forgotten Stories The people who didn’t make the history books but mattered just as much — immigrants, lawmen, musicians, con men, and community builders.
American History & National Events Broader American stories told through the lens of the people who lived them — including episodes from the Revolutionary War, the Civil War era, and beyond.
Don’t see your topic? Get in touch. If it’s the kind of history that almost got away, chances are Carl has dug into it.
Who Carl Speaks To
Carl has presented to a wide range of organizations including universities, the Dodge County Historical Society, local libraries, and civic groups. He is available for:
- Historical societies
- Public libraries
- Civic and community organizations
- University programs and academic events
- Museums and cultural institutions
- Community festivals and public events
What People Are Saying
“Amazing presentation. I came for some history and was blown away by his dynamic style and the old photos he found. When I mentioned my family was from the area, he told me a story about them I had never heard before!” — Dawn S., Mayville, WI
Book a Presentation
Ready to bring history to your group? Use the contact page to get in touch. Include your organization, event date if you have one, and the topic or region you’re most interested in. The archives are always open.