Hispanic Heritage Month at Wisconsin Historical Society

Hispanic Americans have lived in Wisconsin since before statehood, but the largest wave of migration came during and after World War II when an increased demand for food and simultaneous shortage of labor during the war created a demand for agricultural workers. Government programs permitted employers to hire foreign workers to work in the fields, and between 1942 and 1964, millions of Mexican farm laborers came to the state.
Today, Mexicans are the largest Spanish-speaking group in Wisconsin. Mexicans arriving in the 1950s and after have found an established community to settle into, particularly in Milwaukee. Another fast-growing group of Spanish-speaking residents is Puerto Ricans, who began arriving in Wisconsin in the late 1940s. They were drawn to industrial jobs in Milwaukee, Kenosha and Racine counties. Wisconsin is also home to political refugees and other immigrants from Cuba, El Salvador, Columbia, Nicaragua, and other countries.
From the time of their arrival, Latinx Americans have battled racism and discrimination, a struggle that continues to this day.
The Society has put together a page with stories, images, and artifacts from our history collections. Learn more: wihist.org/3Q3...