We The People: Milwaukee Stories of Immigration, Citizenship, and Community
Start: June 12, 2026
The United States marks its 250th anniversary in 2026. To understand how our nation came to be, we invite you to think about how immigrants have shaped the United States, starting right here in Milwaukee.
Indigenous Peoples were the first to live on this land. Later, waves of immigrants arrived, changing the community and creating the Milwaukee we know today. Examining immigration in Milwaukee offers a window into the larger American story.
For over 180 years, immigrants have shaped Milwaukee’s economy, neighborhoods, and culture. Waves of German, Polish, Italian, and Irish newcomers built businesses to grow the city in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Their skills and labor established Milwaukee as a center of industry and craftsmanship.
As new generations arrive from Latin America, Asia, Southwest Asia and North Africa (also referred to as the Middle East), and Africa, they bring traditions, languages, and foods that continue to redefine what it means to be American. Milwaukee’s diversity can be seen in its restaurants, festivals, and neighborhoods. Here, the legacies of past and present immigrants come together to shape the future.
Resources: Stay Informed on Current U.S. Immigration Policies
Become a U.S. Citizen through Naturalization | USAGov
Global Timeline | Immigration and Relocation in U.S. History | Library of Congress
Wisconsin Immigrant Journeys | Wisconsin Humanities
Primary Resources:
Listen to more stories from the “Immigrant Experience in Milwaukee Co.” Oral History Project in our digital archives.
Read the full-length letter from John Kerler Jr. in Milwaukee to August Frank in Reutlingen, Germany (c. 1850) featured in the exhibit.
Thank you to our Exhibit Sponsors!
Thank you to our community partners for loaning objects to this exhibit!
Mexican Fiesta, Hmong American Peace Academy, Burmese Rohingya Community of Wisconsin Inc., Voces de la Frontera, and Dance Academy of Mexico.
Disclaimer:
Every immigration story is unique. While this exhibit highlights shared experiences and broader patterns, we recognize that individuals came to Milwaukee for many different reasons and at different times. Not every community can be fully represented; we focus on those with the largest populations while acknowledging the city’s wider diversity.
For clarity, the exhibit is organized into “waves” of immigration. These waves sometimes overlap and are grouped by time period and region of origin, allowing you to see how immigration patterns and public policies shaped who came to Milwaukee and when.