Wisconsin Black Historical Society/Museum

A Treasure Trove of African American History!

Anyone claiming to be a history buff who has not visited the Wisconsin Black Historical Society/Museum (WBHS/M), located at 2620 W. Center Street, is missing a real treat. As we celebrate Black History Month, one would remiss not to schedule a tour with the museum’s founder Clayborn Benson. 

A retired, award-winning photojournalist, Benson founded the Museum more than 36 years ago to ensure the documentation and preservation of the history of African Americans in Wisconsin. Benson believes that it’s important that future generations know the history of previous generations. 

“Black History is American history. Our intent is never to make people feel guilty or bad about things that have happened to Blacks. We just want to share the facts—the good and bad—because it is our history,” said Benson.

As a photographer with WTMJ4 Benson traveled to faraway places like Majorca in the Mediterranean, Egypt, Somalia, and Ukraine, fueling his love and appreciation of history. 

“I’ve always been intrigued with history, partly because my family—the Moore’s—shared so much history with patrons of the barbershops they owned in Milwaukee and Racine. I also had a burning desire to research my family history because I knew so little about my relatives,” said Benson.

Benson has had the privilege of sharing information and breaking bread with almost every pioneer founder or director of African American museums in the United States including Dr. Charles H. Wright, founder of the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit, MI; Charles and Dr. Margaret Burroughs, founders of the DuSable Museum of African American History in Chicago, IL; John Robert Edward Kinard, the director of the Anacostia Museum, founded by the Smithsonian Institution; and, Lonnie G. Bunch III, the 14th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution and the first African American to serve as head of the Smithsonian. 

In the 1980s, Benson discovered that there was no statewide effort to collect artifacts or document the oral histories of an aging population. After receiving a grant from the National Endowment of the Arts to produce a documentary called Black Communities, he began capturing those stories. This inspired him to establish a place to house this important history.  In 1987, he purchased two buildings from the City of Milwaukee and renovated them into one facility. He has never hesitated to use his own money to sustain the museum. In 1988, the WBHS/M became an affiliated member of The Wisconsin State Historical Society.

Since opening its doors, the WBHS/M has become an archival repository. Benson’s daughter, Jamila, who has worked alongside him for 20 years, develops programming and assists with exhibits. Last year two archivists were onboarded and they are working feverishly to digitalize and catalogue a plethora of artifacts and historical documents. 

The WBHS/M is a beacon of hope in a neighborhood riddled with disparities such as unemployment, health, and crime. It is also the overseer of one-of-a-kind documents and photographs that might have been lost, were it not for Benson.

Do yourself a favor—visit this diamond in our community and learn about the rich history of African Americans in Wisconsin.

The Wisconsin Black Historical Society/Museum is open Tuesday-Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 12:30  p.m. To schedule tours, call (414) 372-7677.