Dr. Sergio Gonzalez, author of WHS book Mexicans in Wisconsin, will give a presentation on the history of Mexican settlement, history and culture in Wisconsin.

From agricultural and factory workers to renowned writers and musicians, the Mexican immigrants who have made their homes in Wisconsin over the past century have become a significant and diverse part of this state’s cultural and economic history. Coming from a variety of educational and professional backgrounds, the earliest Mexican immigrants traveled north in search of better economic opportunities and relief from the violence and economic turmoil of the Mexican Revolution.
They found work in tanneries and foundries, and on beet farms where they replaced earlier European immigrant workers who had moved on to family farms. As Mexican immigration has grown to the present day, these families have become integral members of Wisconsin communities, building businesses, support systems, and religious institutions.

Sergio M. González is an assistant professor of Latinx Studies in the Departments of History and Languages, Literature & Culture at Marquette University.