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Historical Essay

Milwaukee Handicraft Project

The Milwaukee Handicraft Project was a program of the Work Projects Administration (WPA) that employed women to make handmade products.
Historical Essay

The Origin of Milwaukee

Mahn-a-waukke
Discover how Milwaukee, Wisconsin got its name
Historical Essay

Walker, George H. (1811-1866)

Brief biography of George H. Walker railroad promoter and politician who was twice mayor of Milwaukee (1851, 1853).
Brief biography of George H. Walker railroad promoter and politician who was twice mayor of Milwaukee (1851, 1853).
Historical Essay

Juneau, Solomon 1793-1856

Fur Trader, Land Speculator, Politician and Founder of Milwaukee
Brief biography of Solomon Juneau, the fur trader, land speculator and politician who helped found Milwaukee.
Historical Essay

Kilbourn, Byron (1801-1870)

Land Speculator and Politician
Brief biography of surveyor, land speculator, railroad promoter and politician Byron Kilbourn, twice elected mayor of Milwaukee.
Historical Essay

Vel Phillips's Common Council Desk

Wisconsin Historical Museum Object – Feature Story
Desk used by Milwaukee Alder Vel Phillips, made by the Northwestern Furniture Company for Milwaukee City Hall, 1895. (Museum object #2007.16.1)
Historical Essay

Shipwrecks in Wisconsin

Brief history of shipwrecks in Wisconsin.
Historical Essay

Milwaukee 14

Read a brief description of the Milwaukee 14 when Vietnam War protesters set fire to 10,000 draft files.
Historical Essay

Atomic Age Evacuation Route Sign

Wisconsin Historical Museum Object – Feature Story
Evacuation Route road sign used to direct Milwaukee, Wisconsin residents out of town in the event of a potential nuclear bomb detonation, installed 1955-19
Historical Essay

Frank P. Zeidler — The Last Socialist to Run a Major American City

Learn how Frank Zeidler propelled social, economic and structural improvements in Milwaukee as America's last Socialist Mayor in 1948 - 1960.
Historical Essay

Allis, Louis (1866-1950)

Industrialist and Businessman
Biography of Milwaukee industrialist and businessman Louis Allis.
Historical Essay

Kreiter Piano Company

Learn about the Kreiter Piano Company, which produced pianos in Milwaukee and Marinette between 1880 and 1945.
Historical Essay

Wisconsin Welcomes Its First Troops Home

A Wisconsin Civil War Story
Historical Essay

Cement Industry in Wisconsin

Brief history of the cement industry in Wisconsin.
Historical Essay

Milwaukee Sewer Socialism

How Wisconsin Became America's Most Socialist State
Discover how Milwaukee, Wisconsin became America's first Socialist city.
Historical Essay

Puerto Ricans in Wisconsin

Brief history of Puerto Ricans in Wisconsin.
Historical Essay

Barbee, Lloyd A. (1925-2002)

Civil Rights Advocate and Legislator
Biography of Lloyd A. Barbee, Milwaukee civil rights advocate and legislator.
Historical Essay

World Series Welcome Sign

Wisconsin Historical Museum Object – Feature Story
"Welcome" sign used to decorate lamp posts in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin during the 1957 World Series. (Museum object #2007.68.1)
Historical Essay

Milwaukee and Rock River Canal

Brief history of the Milwaukee and Rock River Canal.
Historical Essay

Zeidler, Frank (1912 - 2006)

Mayer of Milwaukee
Discover the history of Frank Zeidler

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