Wisconsin Latinx History Collective
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Wisconsin Latinx History Collective
The Wisconsin Latinx History Collective works to retrofit Latinx history into the Wisconsin Historical Narrative. The Collective is a network of faculty, staff, and students from six Wisconsin Universities and two out-of-state institutions along with numerous community members. Collective members conduct oral history interviews and collect personal papers and photographs. The Society serves as the archives for the Collective.
Preserving Latinx Stories
Founded in 2020 by Dr. Andrea-Teresa “Tess” Arenas , the Wisconsin Latinx History Collective (WLHC) began as a core group of faculty from the University of Wisconsin System and Marquette University, dedicated to highlighting the histories of Latinx communities in the state. The collective quickly grew to a network of faculty, staff, and students from six Wisconsin universities and two out-of-state institutions, along with numerous community members who have been trained by the core WLHC team.
Before the WLHC, Dr. Arenas worked with the Wisconsin Historical Society to create the Somos Latinas Oral History Collection, which documented stories of various Latina activists in Wisconsin over the age of 50. It was from this initial project that the vision for WLHC developed.
WLHC’s unprecedented network of researchers and organizational partners are dedicated to retro-fitting Latinxs into broader public understandings of Wisconsin’s history. The Collective's goal is to center Latinx history and identity where it has often been minimized or erased, addressing historical silences created from patterns of racism and discrimination.
Papers, Photographs, & Artwork
- MEChA de UW-Madison, records of an organization whose primary goal is to promote Chican@ and Latin@ empowerment through political action and participation in higher education.
- Andrea-Teresa Arenas, papers of a Latina activist, educator, author, and poet from Milwaukee.
- Nelia Olivencia, papers of a Latina and Puerto Rican scholar and activist who worked and taught at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
Newspaper
La Guardia, Spanish language newspaper published in Milwaukee
Oral History
Somos Latinas, video interviews with 41 Wisconsin Latinas documenting activist work in the Latinx community.
Somos Latinas
Friday, May 11, 2018
An illuminating collection of first-person narratives by Latina activists working for their communities.
Somos Latinas Education Resources
Education materials designed for 6-12 grade classroom use as a companion to the Somos Latinas book published by the Wisconsin Historical Society Press.
Wisconsin Latinx History Collective
The Wisconsin Latinx History Collective works to retrofit Latinx history into the Wisconsin Historical Narrative.
Reader Resources
Whether you’re enjoying a WHS Press book on your own or as part of a book club or discussion group, these companion materials will enhance your reading experience
Wisconsin magazine of history: Volume 102, number 1, autumn 2018
2018 - 2019
This issue includes articles on Wausau High School's undefeated 1943 football team, the role German immigrants played in the 1840s to develop Wisconsin brewing, a brief history of Camp Randall for ...
Oral History Collection
The Society has collected sound recordings for more than 65 years and, today, we manage more than 1,500 sound recording collections consisting of 45,000 audio items.
Collections Use FAQs
Explore how you can find, access, and use our collection materials.
The Society's library and archives collections can be searched in the University of Wisconsin-Madison Library catalog and some parts of our collections have been digitized and are available online.
The Society's historical object collection cannot be searched online.
Library & Archives
Many books, bound periodicals, microforms and government publications may be checked out for home use with a library card. Rare, fragile, small and heavily used materials (including genealogical resources) do not circulate. A borrowing card is not required if you want to use materials within the Library. Archival materials are available for use in our Archives Reading Room.
For more information about our borrowing policies Library & Archives Services.
Historic Objects
If you are interested in viewing our historical objects please contact us.
Due to significant demands associated with developing the Wisconsin History Center, the Society has reduced capacity to handle loan requests. Therefore, we are not accepting new requests at this time.
For a credit line: Wisconsin Historical Society, Creator, Title, Unique Identifier.
The Unique Identifier can be found at the top or bottom of the webpage for each item. The name of a downloaded file is NOT the unique identifier.
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Your Story is Wisconsin's Story
History is made every day, everywhere. Since 1846, contributions from people across the state have helped us fulfill our mission to collect, preserve and tell the stories of Wisconsin.
Find Out HowLast Updated: June 13, 2026
