Milwaukee County Historical Society

Milwaukee County Historical Society The mission of the Milwaukee County Historical Society is to collect, interpret, and tell stories related to Milwaukee and Milwaukee County history.

In promoting a greater appreciation of Milwaukee County’s heritage, the Historical Society hopes to develop a better understanding of the issues and challenges facing Milwaukee County today. Among the holdings in its archives and museum are over 1 million photographs and 50,000 objects. Check out www.milwaukeehistory.net for more information!

Welcome back to another Tuesdays with Terry! Today's photos, taken in March 1937 by Lyle Oberwise show the construction ...
06/23/2026

Welcome back to another Tuesdays with Terry! Today's photos, taken in March 1937 by Lyle Oberwise show the construction of the Varsity Theater, now part the Marquette University’s Holthusen Hall.

Workers at the Joseph Shaver Marble Company in Milwaukee around 1895. MCHS Archival Collection.Open now at the Milwaukee...
06/22/2026

Workers at the Joseph Shaver Marble Company in Milwaukee around 1895. MCHS Archival Collection.

Open now at the Milwaukee County Historical Society, the “We the People” exhibit explores the cultures, traditions, and experiences that have shaped our community for over 180 years.

Join us for a paddle through history as we explore downtown Milwaukee and our rivers by kayak. 🛶📆Saturday, June 27th @ 9...
06/20/2026

Join us for a paddle through history as we explore downtown Milwaukee and our rivers by kayak. 🛶

📆Saturday, June 27th @ 9:00am-11:30am
📍318 SOUTH Water Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53204 | Milwaukee Kayak Company

Steve Schaffer, Archivist, and Michael Barera, Assistant Archivist and Digitization Specialist, from the Milwaukee County Historical Society, will guide us on our rivers and share historical insights while we learn about the famous names, buildings and bridges that made Milwaukee, MILWAUKEE.

Our History Tours are paddled at a slower pace, suitable for most skill levels. They're a mixture of light exercise, sightseeing by kayak and education as we paddle and pause along the way while our guides point out sites and shares stories.

🎟Follow the Link for Ticketing Information & All Tour Dates: https://milwaukeehistory.net/event/history-tour-with-milwaukee-kayak-company/

Celebrate the opening of “We the People: Milwaukee Stories of Immigration, Citizenship, and Community” exhibit at this f...
06/20/2026

Celebrate the opening of “We the People: Milwaukee Stories of Immigration, Citizenship, and Community” exhibit at this free, family-friendly community event. 🗽

Explore the new exhibit, enjoy live performances, crafts and activities for all ages, and grab a bite from local food trucks as we come together to celebrate the stories that shape Milwaukee. 💃🎊🥟

📆Saturday, August 8th | 10:00am-4:00pm
🎟 FREE to the Public
📍Milwaukee Co. Historical Society | 910 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive

Join us on July 2 for It’s Alive! at the Milwaukee County Historical Society, featuring Tlalok , a Milwaukee-based bilin...
06/19/2026

Join us on July 2 for It’s Alive! at the Milwaukee County Historical Society, featuring Tlalok , a Milwaukee-based bilingual singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. From 4–6 PM, enjoy free live music on our patio overlooking the Milwaukee River.

Whether you're stopping by after work, or meeting friends downtown, it's the perfect opportunity to slow down, enjoy local talent, and experience Milwaukee in the summertime.

Bring a blanket, grab takeout from your favorite downtown spot, and settle in for an afternoon of music by the river.

📍 Milwaukee County Historical Society
🗓 Thursday, July 2 | 4–6 PM
🎟 Free and open to all

🗽We’re joining museums and community spaces across the U.S. to collect wishes for the future of America at the nation’s ...
06/19/2026

🗽We’re joining museums and community spaces across the U.S. to collect wishes for the future of America at the nation’s 250th anniversary.

✨ What’s your wish for America? For Milwaukee?

Add your voice to a nationwide movement! Visit our Wish Wall or share your wish online at OnOur250th.org.

Plan your visit to the MCHS "We the People" exhibit to add your voice to our Wish Wall this Civic Season!

Happy Juneteenth🎉Today, we celebrate freedom for all! "On June 19, 1865, General Gordon Granger of the Union Army arrive...
06/19/2026

Happy Juneteenth🎉

Today, we celebrate freedom for all!

"On June 19, 1865, General Gordon Granger of the Union Army arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that all slaves in Texas were free. This announcement came more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation went into effect on January 1, 1863. The delay was due to the fact that Texas was a remote and sparsely populated state with a large number of Confederate troops, who were fighting to preserve slavery.

Upon hearing the news, African Americans in Texas rejoiced and began to celebrate their newfound freedom. The first Juneteenth celebration took place in Texas on June 19, 1866, and included parades, speeches, and other festivities." https://www.juneteenthmilwaukee.com/history/

Join the celebration happening all throughout Milwaukee! Enjoy these MCHS archival photos from Milwaukee's 1978 Juneteenth Celebration. 💚🖤❤️

The answer to today's Photo Trivia Thursday is Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church.The next Milwaukee History Trivia Nigh...
06/18/2026

The answer to today's Photo Trivia Thursday is Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church.

The next Milwaukee History Trivia Night is Thursday, June 25th at Amorphic Beer (3700 N Fratney St, Milwaukee). Doors open at 6 pm and the game starts at 7 pm. We hope to see you there!

Join us next Thursday, June 25th for another round of MKE History Trivia at Amorphic Beer!Art and Science, that’s what b...
06/18/2026

Join us next Thursday, June 25th for another round of MKE History Trivia at Amorphic Beer!

Art and Science, that’s what beer is. Amorphic’s passion comes from trying to make the best beer they possibly can, learning something new with each batch, and taking that knowledge into the next one.

Trivia is FREE to play! Bring your friends or join a team!
Doors open at 6:00pm, Trivia starts at 7:00pm.
Amorphic Beer, 3700 N Fratney St, Milwaukee, WI, 53212

Welcome back to Photo Trivia Thursday, a series that features a photo trivia question from a past Milwaukee History Triv...
06/18/2026

Welcome back to Photo Trivia Thursday, a series that features a photo trivia question from a past Milwaukee History Trivia Night! Can you identify this church?

Address

910 N. Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. Drive
Milwaukee, WI
53203

Opening Hours

Monday 9:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 9:30am - 5pm
Thursday 9:30am - 5pm
Friday 9:30am - 5pm
Saturday 9:30am - 5pm

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