Wisconsin is about to receive its moment in the national spotlight as Good Morning America features the Badger State in its ambitious "50 States in 50 Weeks: America the Beautiful" series. On Thursday, February 5, lifestyle contributor Lori Bergamotto will broadcast live from the iconic Frank Lloyd Wright-designed SC Johnson headquarters in Racine, offering viewers across the country a glimpse into Wisconsin's unique blend of architectural innovation and community spirit.
The series, which began last July and runs through July 2025, represents a monumental undertaking for the morning show. In celebration of GMA's upcoming 50th anniversary and the nation's 250th birthday, the program is visiting each state in the order they joined the Union. This chronological journey creates a living map of America, highlighting local changemakers, cultural landmarks, and the distinctive traditions that define each region.
For Wisconsin, the 30th state admitted to the Union in 1848, the feature will showcase two seemingly different narratives that together paint a comprehensive picture of the state's identity. The first, centered at the SC Johnson campus, celebrates corporate heritage and architectural excellence. The second, focused on Milwaukee's streets, highlights grassroots creativity and human connection.
The SC Johnson headquarters segment will explore how a company known for household brands like Glade, Windex, Ziploc, Method, Off!, Raid, and Scrubbing Bubbles has also become a custodian of architectural heritage. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, the building exemplifies the legendary architect's philosophy of organic architecture, where structures exist in harmony with their environment. With approximately 2,000 employees in Racine County, SC Johnson stands as one of Wisconsin's largest employers, demonstrating how global brands can maintain deep local roots.
While the filming at SC Johnson remains closed to the public, television audiences will experience the building's flowing lines and innovative design through GMA's production. The segment promises to reveal how this corporate campus has become a destination for architecture enthusiasts and a source of pride for the local community.
The broadcast's second focus, the Milwaukee Love Letter project, introduces viewers to Katrina Lord, a marketing operations manager who has handwritten nearly 1,000 inspirational notes since 2016. What began as a personal creative practice has evolved into a citywide movement of unexpected joy.
Lord's process is deliberate and heartfelt. She maintains a journal of meaningful quotes gathered from her reading, social media, and classic literature. When crafting each letter, she selects a quote for the front and writes a personal reflection on the back, connecting the words to everyday experiences. Hand-cut hearts adorn many of the notes, adding a tactile element that distinguishes these messages from digital communications.
The distribution of these love letters transforms ordinary locations into treasure hunts for inspiration. Lord places them in Little Free Libraries, on coffee shop counters, at the Milwaukee Public Market, and on community bulletin boards. Each placement is intentional, designed to reach strangers who might need a moment of encouragement. While she attempts to avoid repeating quotes, some favorites occasionally reappear—either by design or by accident.
This grassroots initiative speaks to a fundamental human need for connection. In an age dominated by screens and instant messaging, Lord's handwritten notes represent a conscious slowing down, a commitment to tangible expressions of care. Each letter carries not just words, but time, attention, and personal energy.
The contrast between these two stories—the corporate architectural marvel and the individual creative project—perfectly encapsulates Wisconsin's character. The state balances industrial strength with community warmth, global commerce with local kindness, monumental design with intimate gestures.
Senior executive producer Simone Swink captured the series' essence in a statement: "This series is a chance for us to explore the country and share stories that reflect the heart of each state. We're looking forward to meeting people, highlighting what makes each state special, and proudly keeping the 'A' in 'GMA.'" For Wisconsin, that heart beats in both boardrooms and coffee shops, in landmark buildings and on handwritten stationery.
Viewers can watch the Wisconsin feature on WISN-TV (Channel 12) from 7 to 9 a.m. on February 5. The coverage extends across ABC's platforms, including GMA3, ABC News Live, and digital channels, ensuring these Wisconsin stories reach diverse audiences.
The timing of Wisconsin's feature carries particular significance. As a state with deep progressive roots—from early labor rights advocacy to pioneering conservation efforts—Wisconsin represents a mature yet evolving American identity. The GMA broadcast will likely connect these historical threads to contemporary innovations, showing how past values inform present actions.
For Katrina Lord, national recognition validates years of quiet dedication. Her story demonstrates that meaningful change doesn't require massive platforms or resources—just consistent intention and creativity. Each love letter, though small on its own, contributes to a larger culture of kindness.
Similarly, the SC Johnson segment celebrates long-term vision. The company's investment in architectural excellence, its commitment to Racine, and its evolution from local manufacturer to global powerhouse all reflect Wisconsin's trajectory. The headquarters stands as physical proof that corporate success and community pride can coexist.
Together, these narratives create a portrait of a state that honors its heritage while actively shaping its future. Wisconsin emerges not as mere "flyover country," but as a place where innovation and tradition enrich each other, where global brands support local communities, and where both buildings and handwritten notes can inspire.
As the GMA cameras roll on February 5, they'll capture a Wisconsin that defies simple categorization. It's a state of lakes and industry, of Frank Lloyd Wright and Little Free Libraries, of corporate campuses and coffee shop kindness. It's a place where the American dream manifests in multiple forms—from the boardroom to the bulletin board, from architectural blueprints to handwritten love letters.
The broadcast promises to leave viewers with a nuanced understanding of Wisconsin's contributions to American culture. Whether through the sweeping curves of a Wright-designed headquarters or the intimate loops of Katrina Lord's handwriting, Wisconsin's story is one of thoughtful design—both structural and social. It's a reminder that America's beauty lies not just in its grand monuments, but in the small, deliberate acts of connection that happen daily in communities across the nation.