Black History Month Pop-Up Exhibits

Celebrate Black History Month with UWM Libraries by visiting the three pop-up exhibits hosted by the American Geographical Society Library, Archives, and Special Collections.

The AGSL’s exhibit highlights Matthew Henson, an Arctic explorer on the first successful expedition to the North Pole, with expedition materials including maps, photographs, and his writings. Additionally, AGSL is showcasing maps and atlases from cartographers Louise E. Jefferson and W.E.B. Du Bois. 

Archives is highlighting Black lesbians in Milwaukee. Featuring women like Donna Burkett (first same-sex marriage license application in WI) and Lula Reams (co-founder of Lesbians of Color), the exhibit will explore the ways that Black lesbian women fought together for equality and community. Materials on display will include selections from the Lesbians of Color newsletters and the GPU News.

Special Collections’ exhibit focuses on art, poetry, and children’s books, including works by Jean-Michel Basquiat, Faith Ringgold, Jacob Lawrence, Kehinde Wilde, Countee Cullen, Langston Hughes, Oscar Micheaux, and Gwendolyn Brooks.

The pop-up exhibits are on display in these areas of the Golda Meir Library:

• American Geographical Society Library (third floor, east wing): Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
• Archives (third floor, west wing): Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
• Special Collections (fourth floor): Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

The Black History Month Pop-Up Exhibits are free and open to the public.