History of Black Milwaukee Presented by John Gurda
There have been Black Milwaukeeans for as long as there’s been a Milwaukee. African Americans were here when the future metropolis was just a fur-trading post, and they grew with the city during its rise as a hotbed of abolitionist activity, an industrial powerhouse, and a haven for immigrants. The group’s numbers soared during the Great Migration of the twentieth century, and Black Milwaukeeans are the city’s largest single cultural group today. Unfolding over nearly two centuries, their story is an inspiring chronicle of struggle, resilience, and pride.
ABHM is excited to announce that John Gurda will be presenting some of this expansive history that he has researched over the course of his career at the museum on Wednesday, May 1st at 6 PM CT. Admission is $7 per person paid upon arrival (cash and cards accepted). Registration is required and space is limited. Doors will open 30 minutes before the presentation for guests to explore ABHM’s galleries. This event is free for ABHM members.
About John Gurda:
John is a Milwaukee-born writer and historian who has been studying his hometown since 1972—all of its groups, all of its neighborhoods. He is the award-winning author of twenty-three books and the creator of the Emmy Award-winning documentary series The Making of Milwaukee. In a city too often identified by its European heritage, Gurda is a firm believer that history belongs to everyone.