Cultural Milwaukee, Wisconsin

"That on the first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, all persons held as slaves within any State or designated part of a State, the people whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United States, shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free”

President: ABRAHAM LINCOLN

            For thousands of years, at the juncture of the Kinnickinnic, Menomonee and Milwaukee Rivers, Native American tribes lived on the land that is now the city of Milwaukee. The earliest European documentation of the area dates from 1674 when French Jesuit Father Marquette traversed the Great Lakes region following routes he learned of from the inhabitants. Shortly thereafter fur traders entered the area and Milwaukee considers the construction of Jacque Vieau’s trading post in 1795 and its subsequent ownership by his son-in-law, Solomon Juneau, as the founding of the city. In 1822 Juneau built a log cabin and in 1833 he and a partner sold land to newcomers and started a settlement.

            In the 19^th-century the city was always involved with abolitionism even though the number of African Americans was small. Generally, the residents were anti-slavery but it must be noted that this did not mean they supported racial inclusion. As independent landowners they were particularly displeased with the Fugitive Slave Act that demanded that all fugitives be returned to their owner with the aid of noninvolved citizens in the vicinity. The people of Wisconsin routinely ignored the law until events called for action. Ultimately one case resulted in the Wisconsin Supreme Court declaring the Fugitive Slave Act unconstitutional and instigated national debate and brought national attention to the state.

            Joshua Glover was born enslaved in St. Louis, Missouri in 1811, escaped slavery and settled in Racine, Wisconsin in 1852. After being betrayed by a friend his former owner recaptured him. He was taken to county jail in Milwaukee by federal marshals. As soon as the abolitionists learned of his imprisonment and intent to return him to slavery, the city mobilized. Word went out and a crowd formed at the jail to give impassioned speeches and generally protest. When this failed a group of more than 6,000 people stormed the jail and escorted Glover to a waiting wagon. He then “rode” on the Underground Railroad. Glover made nine stops on the UGRR, a testament to how large the network was in the area, before boarding a ship to Canada. He died in 1888 in Toronto. A marker can be seen at Cathedral Square Park indicating where the original courthouse and jail once stood on Courthouse Square. His story is noted in a mural at Fond Du Lac Avenue and the I-43 underpass. 

            Lincoln’s preliminary Emancipation Proclamation was announced on September 22, 1862. It declared that all enslaved individuals (more than 3-million) residing in rebellious states were to be deemed free as of January 1, 1863. The enslaved’s freedom was predicated on the region in which they resided being under Union control and whether the people were informed. In several cases years would pass. It was not until June 19, 1865 that word would reach Galveston, Texas along with Union forces under the command of General Gordon Granger. The proclamation was read to the population and this is commemorated as the date upon which the final Confederate enslaved were freed. A jubilee took place immediately following the announcement with singing, dancing and praises.

In Texas on June 19, 1866 the original Juneteenth celebrations were held. Other states began to recognize the day and celebrations became a cultural tradition. In 1980 Juneteenth became a Texas state holiday and in 2021 it became a federal holiday.

Milwaukee hosts one of the oldest, and largest, Juneteenth celebrations in the United States. Since 1971 it has always been held on the 19^th of June no matter which day of the week the 19^thfalls on. North King Drive is a hub of activity including vendors, eateries, music, entertainment, floats, bands and a parade. The event brings together more than 100,000 people and blends cultural pride with social consciousness and educational opportunities. This year’s Juneteenth celebration is the 52^nd.

One of the premiere Juneteenth participating organizations is the Brew City Cowboys (BCC). Their roots stretch back to the Civil War era when Black cowboys made up 25% of the Wisconsin cattle industry and were some of the states’ first cowboys.  The industry was at its peak from 1867-1880 and formerly enslaved men migrated to these jobs. The BCC grew out of the Silverado Trail Riders in 2019 with the stated goal, “We ride for the kids.” The members engage in community activity and offer riding lessons, horse-care sessions, and they ride in the Juneteenth parade. 

This year’s theme is “I Am Juneteenth.” Plan to travel to Milwaukee for the time of your life.