On the Same Page: Badger Army Ammunition Plant program, film festival next week at Reedsburg Public Library

Next week RPL fall library programs kick off on Sunday, September 20, with Carolyn Dallmann’s presentation on the Badger Ammunition Plant. The Friends of the Library will host their fall membership meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 23. Finally, the Library will be hosting the Manhattan Short Film Festival on Friday, Sept. 25, through Sunday, Sept. 27. Fall youth programs are entering their second week, and there is still time to join.

Dallmann is no stranger to the Reedsburg Public Library, having previously presented the book, “North Freedom: A Memoir” and the program, Badger Army Ammunition Plant: An Employee’s Perspective. During her return visit on Sunday, Sept. 20, at 1 p.m., Dallmann will present, Powder Plant: Where Did the Farmers go when suddenly their Land was Gone? The program explores the experiences of farmers forced to vacate their land for the construction of the Badger Plant in 1942. In December 1941, landowners were suddenly informed that they were to be off their property by March 1, leaving them only two and a half months to find somewhere else to live, store their possessions, and repurpose their lives. The psychological effect of this ultimatum would remain with families for years.

Dallmann’s thoughts about the farmers over her lifetime are a thread throughout her new book “Powder Plant, Farmland to National Defense,” which was released in March 2026. The book begins with a condensed history leading up to the government’s selection of Sauk Prairie as the site for what would become the Badger Army Ammunition Plant, and proceeds through the author’s experiences working at the plant’s lab, beginning at age 19.

The Friends of the Reedsburg Public Library will meet for their fall membership meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 23, at 6 p.m. If you have been thinking about joining the Friends, this is a perfect opportunity to find out what the group is all about.

On Friday, Sept. 25, through Sunday, Sept. 27, the Friends of the Reedsburg Public Library will be sponsoring Reedsburg’s participation in the 2026 Manhattan Short Film Festival. This film festival is being held simultaneously in over 500 venues across the globe, and features 10 finalists from all over the world.

Participants will have the opportunity to vote for best film and best actor. Votes from our screenings are sent to the Manhattan Short organizers, tallied with votes from the other venues, and winners are announced on Oct. 5. Each short film includes an introduction from the director. The total run time is 2 hours and 45 minutes, with an intermission at approximately the halfway point. The Reedsburg Public Library showings include Friday, Sept. 25, at 5:30 p.m. (after regular library hours), Saturday, Sept. 26, at 11 a.m., and Sunday, Sept. 27, at 12:30 p.m. More details and an event trailer can be found at manhattanshort.com.

There is no registration or fee required to attend the above listed programs. For questions about any library program or service, call the library at 608-768-READ (7323) or email info@reedsburglibrary.org.