Annual Meeting + Speaker Series

Westward to Wauwatosa: The Underwood Family Journey

Join us for the Wauwatosa Historical Society’s Annual Meeting, where we will reflect on the past year, share plans for the year ahead, and introduce nominees for the 2027 open board positions.

Following the business meeting, enjoy the final Speaker Series program of 2026 – Westerward to Wauwatosa: The Underwood Family Journey.

In 1836, William Underwood and his family settled in Wauwatosa. The trip from their first home in Virginia took them through Illinois, where William served in the Black Hawk War of 1832. Decades later, his son Reverend Enoch Underwood recalled the family’s journey in a handwritten diary, a photocopy of which is now preserved in the archives of the Wauwatosa Historical Society. This talk uncovers some of the Underwood family’s early history.

Presented by Marguerite Helmers, an independent researcher with over thirty years of university-level teaching experience and author of numerous academic publications. Marguerite specializes in early 20th century literature and visual arts but often explores 19th century American history. She has shared her research through talks locally, nationally, and internationally, and is passionate about making complex historical topics accessible to general audiences. In 2025, she joined the research team at Wauwatosa Historical Society.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m., program starts at 6:00