Resilience: A History of Chinese Milwaukee

Meet Chinese immigrants and Chinese-American Milwaukeeans whose traditions, activism and entrepreneurism forever shaped our city and state. Docent Sara Wong introduces us to the city’s first Chinese immigrants and Chinese-American families, chronicling their contributions to Wisconsin culture and commerce. Only two historical markers recognize the state’s early Chinese immigrants, one on King Drive; the other in Sec. 48 of Forest Home. Resilience begins in 1874 and Sec. 48. A generation of “bachelors”—laborers who arrived alone in the U.S. and couldn't marry or reunite with family under the Chinese Exclusion Act—are laid to rest and remembered here. Early to mid-twentieth century immigrants and Chinese-American Milwaukeeans raise families, open businesses and establish cultural and religious organizations. Resilience traces their successful efforts to dismantle the discrimination and isolation experienced by earlier generations and ancestors. Wong’s tour covers personal history, multi-generational families and touches on Chinese religious and memorialization traditions like the Ching Ming Festival (grave-sweeping day). Walk and learn with us and embrace the power of culture and community on this vibrant, first-of-its-kind historical tour.