On Thursday, February 15, 2018, the Wisconsin Historical Society will host a Black History Month Open House at their headquarters (816 State Street) from 4:00 – 7:00 pm. This event is free and open to the public. There will be a special presentation on Black Suffrage in Wisconsin from associate professor, Christy Clark-Pujara. Other events that evening include the Mount Zion Baptist Church Choir, Spoken Word, STEP and samples from Melly Mel’s Catering. A full schedule is included below.

The Society will also have collection items and archives on display throughout the building that are significant to African American history. Some of the items on display will include, a drum from the Civil War, a choir robe from the Mount Zion Baptist Church, Miss Annie Mae’s church hat, Vel Phillips’s gavel, papers, maps, images and more. 

Below is a media advisory with more information. Please let me know if you have any questions and we hope you can make it to the event.

Thanks!

Kara O'Keeffe
Marketing and Public Relations Manager
kara.okeeffe@wisconsinhistory.org
608-250-9699

Media Advisory: Wisconsin Historical Society to Host Black History Month Open House

What: Black History Month Open House at the Wisconsin Historical Society

When: Thursday, February 15, 2018, from 4:00 – 7:00 pm

Where: Wisconsin Historical Society Headquarters, 816 State Street, Madison (on library mall)

Schedule of events:

• 4:00 – 5:00 pm - Christy Clark-Pujara, associate professor of history in the Department of Afro-American Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison will discuss Black Suffrage in Wisconsin in the auditorium. The Mount Zion Baptist Church Choir will also perform.
• 5:00 - 6:00 pm - Reading Room (Second Floor) will be open for visits where the public can see original documents and images related to African-American history.
• 6:00 – 7:00 pm - A reception will be held in the lobby and will feature catering from Melly Mel’s. 

Who: The public is invited to attend this free event

Contact: The night of event please contact Kara O’Keeffe at 608-250-9699 for information or to coordinate any interviews. You can also reach me by email leading up to the event atkara.okeeffe@wisconsinhistory.org. 

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