Hispanic History | BIG History
Celebrating BIG Moments: Hispanic History in Wisconsin
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. These items just scratch the surface of the history of the communities that immigrated from Central and South America to Wisconsin. Please take an opportunity to explore these resources below.
Explore Hispanic History
Learn more about the history of Mexican, Floridian, and Texan immigrants to Wisconsin through these historical essays.
More Historical Essays
Ramona Villarreal | Maria Luisa Morales | Debra Amesqua | Camille Guérin-Gonzales | JoCasta ZamarripaFascinating Items From Our Historical Collections
The Society has many items related to Latinx heritage available to explore in our online collections. Here are a few highlights.
Compelling Images from the Our Historical Collections
Read More from the WHS Press
Check out these related books from the Wisconsin Historical Society Press, available at your favorite book retailer, online, or through most e-book vendors.
Shop Here![Roberto Torres Mata's We Get Through This Together Poster, depicting a figure reminiscent of the Virgin of Guadalupe wearing a mask](jpg/main-roberto-torres-mata-we-get-through-this-together-tbd-2020-whs.jpg)
Roberto Torres Mata
Local Artist
We Get Through This Together
"I’m a current emerging artist in printmaking based in Madison, Wisconsin I emphasize the issues of migration with Mexico and Central America. My work speaks to the growing misrepresentation that the United States views migrants. As a first-generation Mexican American, I express my knowledge through printmaking acting on the social issues that deal with racial, political, and environmental problems. I graduated from Western Illinois University in the Spring of 2018 with a degree in Graphic Design and a Minors in Marketing. My work has been exhibited at New York City, Madison, Dallas, Knoxville, Quad Cities, Puerto Rico, and Chicago. I was a recipient to Education Graduate Research Scholars fellowship, American Advertising Federation Award, Advance opportunity Fellowship, and Paul M. Binzel Grant. In my practice I have always pursued a purpose to represent my views through art that can provide a positive impact that can bring communities together."