Primary sources from the UW-Milwaukee Libraries and the Wisconsin Historical Society that provide a window onto Milwaukee’s civil rights history in the 1960s. The efforts of civil rights activists and their opponents are documented in photographs, unedited news film footage, text documents and oral history interviews.
Audio
Oral histories, music, speeches and other recorded sound.
Milwaukee LGBT Oral History Project Interviews
Oral history interviews conducted by the Milwaukee LGBT History Project 2003-2007. Interviewees describe their coming out experiences, the Gay Liberation Movement in Milwaukee, early LGBT organizations, the impact of feminism on LGBT politics, and LGBT social activities.
MPL’s Own Archives
MPL’s Own Archives contains the history of the Milwaukee Public Library system. Encompassing written records, photographs, and film the collection offers a look back at how the library has served the community of Milwaukee since its founding. This online portion of the collection contains an interview with Toni Morrison, a handful of PSAs, informational videos, and a partial episode of “Library Playhouse”, a library created TV program.
Oral Histories of the Wisconsin HIV/AIDS History Project
The Wisconsin HIV/AIDS History Project brings to light significant stories from the state’s history of HIV/AIDS through the medium of oral histories. This collection includes video interviews with physicians, nurses, social service workers, AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin (ARCW) staff, and long-time survivors. The interviews were conducted by Linda Wesp at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2017-2018.
Recollection Wisconsin Shared Collection
Wisconsin’s story is still being written, folding in the customs and traditions of everyone who calls this place home. You’re invited to help build a shared history of our state by contributing your photos, documents and audio files to the Recollection Wisconsin Shared Collection.
Rosemary Garfoot Public Library
The Rosemary Garfoot Public Library of Cross Plains, Wisconsin created a partnership with the Cross Plains – Berry Historical Society to house the Society’s archives in the Library. This digital collection is gleaned from those archives and contains recorded oral histories, scanned photographs and documents highlighting the rich history of the Cross Plains area and the Rosemary Garfoot Public Library.
Senator Joe McCarthy – Audio Excerpts 1950-1954
Audio files containing public remarks made by Joseph McCarthy, the Republican senator from Wisconsin, during his controversial campaign to remove communists and communist sympathizers from government.
Senator William Proxmire Collection
Materials selected from the papers of Senator William Proxmire, who served for for 32 years in the U.S. Senate (1957-1989). Also includes transcripts of 40 oral history interviews conducted with the Senator’s friends, family and colleagues.
Shall Not Be Recognized Oral History Project Interviews
In 2007, author Will Fellows collaborated with photographer Jeff Pearcy to create “Shall Not Be Recognized,” an exhibit of photographic and verbal portraits of thirty same-sex couples in long-term, committed relationships, all residents of the Milwaukee area.
Somos Latinas Project Oral Histories
The Somos Latinas (We Women) History Project (2012-2016) was created to document the many significant and largely hidden contributions of Latinas in Wisconsin engaged in their communities to positively impact society in K-12 and post-secondary education, civil rights, women’s rights, domestic abuse services, immigration reform, political representation, peace and justice, and other areas. The online collection currently includes 52 interviews from 37 Latinas from across Wisconsin.
