Research – UWM Libraries

The archives preserves the historical records of UWM and its predecessor institutions. To assist in the preservation of UWM’s history, we administer the campus records management program.

The archives also supports the research and instructional missions at UWM by providing access to historically significant papers and records created or collected by individuals, families, and organizations (i.e., “manuscript collections”). Significant individual collections include the WTMJ-TV news film collection (1950-1980), the largest surviving body of television news footage in Wisconsin; the Roman B.J. Kwasniewski photograph collection, documenting Milwaukee’s Polish south side from 1911 to 1947; the records of Milwaukee Mayor Henry Maier; and the editorial files of the Little Review magazine.

As a research aid, the archives maintains a reference collection of published sources that relate to its archival holdings and manuscript collections. It includes histories of area communities, businesses, organizations, and churches.

Collection strengths pertain to the following subject areas:

The archives preserves and shares the historical records of UWM and its predecessor institutions. We acquire records from all levels of the university, including administrative and governance units; schools, colleges, and academic departments; athletic programs; and student groups and other affiliate organizations. The archives also has a rich photograph collection, blueprints for most campus buildings, student newspapers, a complete run of yearbooks from 1896 to 1968, athletic films, and taped interviews with campus administrators.

Significant and/or frequently used collections include:

Online collections:

Subject guides:

Social action-based collections in the archives cover topics including peace activism, anti-discrimination and civil liberties, health, political and economic action, and community action/neighborhood revitalization, and are some of our most popular records.

Significant and/or frequently used collections include:

Online Collections:

March on Milwaukee

Subject guides:

Collections in the archives document many ethnic communities in Milwaukee including the African American, German, Jewish, Latino, Native American, Polish, and South Asian communities. The archives also documents the experiences of Milwaukee women, disabled people, and other historically marginalized groups.

Significant and/or frequently used collections include:

Online collections:

Subject Guides:

We have extensive holdings pertaining to the history of Milwaukee women and Milwaukee’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities as well as records relating to the HIV/AIDS crisis.

Significant and/or frequently used collections include:

Online collections:

Subject Guides:

LGBT People in Milwaukee

The archives documents the activities of artists, writers, and performing artists in the Milwaukee area, as well as the records of local galleries, production companies, collectives, and other artistic organizations. We also hold the records of local architects including architectural drawings.

Significant and/or frequently used collections include:

Online collections:

The archives documents the history of the brewing and beermaking in Milwaukee including the corporate records of beermakers and organizational records of related associations.

Significant and/or frequently used collections include:

The archives collects on the history of the archives profession including the records of regional and national archival organizations and the papers of prominent professionals in the field.

Significant and/or frequently used collections include:

Online collections:

SAA oral history

The archives holds a number of collections relating to nursing, health care, and health advocacy organizations in Milwaukee.

Significant and/or frequently used collections include: