Gilbert Girls” is part of the Wauwatosa Historical Society’s Speakers Bureau, bringing three generations of remarkable women to life. Follow Nancy, a true pioneer among the township’s earliest settlers, Mary, who witnessed the transformation from small settlement to city, and spirited Kate Evelyn, who fought to save her childhood home from Mayfair Mall’s demolition. One family, a century of change.
Discover the dramatic story behind Wauwatosa’s great fire of 1895 through this captivating Speakers Bureau presentation. On a scorching July morning, flames tore through the village, reducing the business district to ruins by nightfall. Uncover whether it was arson or accident, how the crisis shaped city leadership, and which historic buildings still stand in Wauwatosa today.
Raise a glass to Wauwatosa’s brewing past with this Speakers Bureau presentation. Homebrewer and beer historian Jeff Enders traces Wisconsin’s brewing roots back to the 1840s, exploring the rise and fall of local breweries and the surprising ways beer shaped everyday life in our growing community. A fascinating pour of local history you won’t want to miss.
Explore 130 years of Wauwatosa architecture with this Speakers Bureau presentation by Julie Peay, a longtime Historical Society volunteer and researcher. From modest 1840s settler homes to mid-century modern styles, Julie brings expert insight and a passion for local history to every era. Whether you’re an architecture enthusiast or simply curious, this tour through Wauwatosa’s neighborhoods is not to be missed.
This collection of more than 2,000 glass plate negatives provides a unique look at Wauwatosa from 1900 to 1935 through the eyes of one of the city’s most well-known families. Unlike much of the photography of this time, the Lefebers, owners of a longtime Village general store, took casual shots in addition to posed pictures, creating a visual time machine of life in our city more than 100 years ago.
Step back in time with this Speakers Bureau presentation featuring “Wauwatosa: Our Home Town,” a colorized and narrated film drawn from rare 1947–1948 footage of our city. Experience Wauwatosa as it once was, while learning about the history and events that shaped that pivotal postwar era. A rare and nostalgic glimpse into our community’s past you won’t want to miss.
Two of Wauwatosa’s most historic burial grounds — Wauwatosa Cemetery and Oak Hill Cemetery — hold the stories of the people and events that shaped our community. Discover how these sacred spaces came to be, who rests within them, and what their lives reveal about our city’s past. From early settlers to notable residents, this talk uncovers the rich local history preserved in stone and soil.
This collection of more than 2,000 glass plate negatives provides a unique look at Wauwatosa from 1900 to 1935 through the eyes of one of the city’s most well-known families. Unlike much of the photography of this time, the Lefebers, owners of a longtime Village general store, took casual shots in addition to posed pictures, creating a visual time machine of life in our city more than 100 years ago.
Our collection houses a variety of manuscripts ranging from personal papers—such as correspondence, memorabilia, and ephemera—to the official records of businesses, institutions, and organizations. These collections may also include photographs, books, maps, and artifacts. These primary source materials offer a wealth of historic information, much of which is not found elsewhere.
Our collection includes the 1876 Historical Atlas (plat map book) of Milwaukee County. In addition, there is a listing for maps that include pre-1900 and post-1900 Wauwatosa, Milwaukee County, and Wisconsin. There are many more maps in our research library.
