New Wisconsin historical markers spotlight Native, Black history

MILWAUKEE – Wisconsin’s official listing of State Historic Markers grew Monday, Oct. 17 as a part of an initiative geared toward elevating underrepresented histories throughout the state. 

Targeted on Native American and Black historical past, respectively, the 2 markers are situated in Wisconsin State Truthful Park in West Allis and Lake Ivanhoe in Walworth County.

The Wisconsin Historic Society, a information launch mentioned, was awarded a grant in 2021 with funding to assist the creation and set up of recent markers in addition to the substitute of markers containing inaccurate or outdated language.

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‘Dangerous Waters Village’ at State Truthful Park

Positioned inside what’s now State Truthful Park, the Tee Sisikeja – or “Dangerous Waters Village” – marker highlights the realm’s vital Native American historical past. Devoted Monday, it turned the state’s 600th historic marker.

Tee Sisikeja – or “Dangerous Waters Village” historic marker in Wisconsin State Truthful Park (Courtesy: Wisconsin Historic Basis)

“State Truthful Park welcomes greater than 1,000,000 guests annually, nonetheless, many don’t understand the historic significance this space holds for Native Individuals,” mentioned State Rep. Amy Loudenbeck (R-Clinton), who can be a Wisconsin State Truthful Park board member. “Updating the location and language of the present burial mound historic markers was a collaborative effort that finally makes it potential to share a chunk of Wisconsin’s story with respect for Native American cultures and traditions.”

Whereas many of the indigenous burial mounds that after stood in Milwaukee County not stay, two are nonetheless situated in State Truthful Park right now. The dome-shaped earthworks are close to a former village website and have a form and elegance typical for the interval between 2,700-1,500 years in the past.

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After European contact, Native Individuals from villages alongside the Menominee River or touring to commerce in Milwaukee laid their family members to relaxation inside the historic buildings.

“Collaborative efforts to create memorial markers centered on Indigenous tradition present instructional alternatives for all park customers to get pleasure from,” mentioned Invoice Quackenbush, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer for the Ho-Chunk Nation. “Working alongside the Wisconsin Historic Society and representatives from the Wisconsin State Truthful Park has been nothing wanting an incredible expertise in that sharing our data of Tee Sisikeja helps to guarantee there are applicable safety and preservation practices happening in direction of burial mounds of this nature.”

Lake Ivanhoe historic marker devoted in Walworth County (Courtesy: Wisconsin Historic Basis)

Lake Ivanhoe

The Lake Ivanhoe marker focuses on a spot thought-about to be Wisconsin’s first Black-owned resort group, situated six miles east of Lake Geneva in Walworth County. 

In accordance with a information launch, three Black group leaders from Chicago, Jeremiah Brumfeld, Frank Anglin and Bradford Watson, based it as a resort vacation spot and secure haven for middle-class African Individuals in 1926. The resort was an instantaneous success, and Black households loved the lake and the outside in security.

Lake Ivanhoe historic marker devoted in Walworth County (Courtesy: Wisconsin Historic Basis)

The Lake Ivanhoe Property Homeowners Affiliation was instrumental in bringing the story of Lake Ivanhoe ahead and performed a number one position within the historic marker initiative.

“We’re grateful for the funding from the William G. Pomeroy Basis that has supported this essential work of preserving and sharing extra tales of Wisconsin’s wealthy and various historical past, like that of the Lake Ivanhoe group,” mentioned Christian Overland, Director & CEO for the Wisconsin Historic Society. “The Lake Ivanhoe marker wouldn’t have been potential with out the assist of and shut collaboration with the group and their dedication to sharing native historical past.”

The Lake Ivanhoe marker was devoted on Saturday, Oct. 15 in a ceremony hosted by the Lake Ivanhoe Property Homeowners Affiliation.