The Dresser Public Library will host an author presentation and book signing featuring historian Cory Haala, Ph.D., on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at the library, located at 117 South Central Avenue, Dresser, Wisconsin. The evening will begin with a gathering at 6:30 p.m., followed by a presentation and audience Q&A at 6:45 p.m. Books will be available for purchase and signing.
Haala is an assistant professor of history and museum studies coordinator at the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point. During the event, he will discuss his book, When Democrats Won the Heartland, which examines the political and economic changes that shaped the Midwest during the 1980s.
Drawing on extensive historical research, When Democrats Won the Heartland explores how the Midwestern farm crisis and deindustrialization influenced political organizing and policy debates across the region. The book follows the efforts of grassroots activists, community leaders, and elected officials who sought to address economic challenges facing rural and industrial communities during a period of significant change.
Haala traces the revival of progressive populist traditions associated with movements such as Minnesota’s Farmer-Labor Party and Wisconsin’s “Wisconsin Idea,” while examining how these ideas shaped political campaigns, advocacy efforts, and public discussions throughout the Midwest. The narrative spans communities from Minnesota’s Iron Range and Iowa farm country to South Dakota reservations, offering readers a broader perspective on the region’s history and its influence on national politics.
Described as a fresh examination of a pivotal period in American political history, When Democrats Won the Heartland invites readers to consider how economic, social, and political forces intersected during a transformative era for the Midwest and the nation.
The event is open to the public. Attendees will have an opportunity to hear from the author, participate in a question-and-answer session, and have books signed following the presentation.