Milwaukee County Historical Society

June's Object of the Month is the Ogden Sewing Kit

This simple sewing kit carries a story of migration spanning centuries. The fabric scraps were brought to New England between 1634 and 1649 by Marion Ogden’s seventh great-grandparents, Thomas and Mary Betts, Puritans who left England seeking religious freedom. Generations later, Marion’s third great-grandmother, Hannah Betts Olmsted, fashioned the scraps into this sewing kit.

Around 1835, Marion’s great-great-grandmother carried it west to Milwaukee, following the path of many Yankee families who moved from New England to the Midwest. The kit was passed down through the family until Marion Ogden donated it to the Milwaukee County Historical Society in the 1960s, a small object preserving the story of a long journey.

See the Ogden Sewing Kit in person! Opening June 12 at the Milwaukee County Historical Society, “We the People” exhibit explores the cultures, traditions, and experiences that have shaped our community for over 180 years.

Manuals like this 1954 citizenship manual from MCHS's Latino/Hispanic American collection helped immigrants gain knowledge to prepare for the citizenship process. You can learn more about the history of immigration to Milwaukee in our forthcoming exhibit.
Opening June 12 at the Milwaukee County Historical Society the, “We the People” exhibit explores the cultures, traditions, and experiences that have shaped our community for over 180 years.

Next Thursday = date night, Milwaukee edition 🌆🎶

Join us at the Milwaukee County Historical Society for It’s Alive! featuring a free live performance by on Thursday, June 4 from 4–6 PM on our riverside patio.

Make plans now: bring a blanket, pack a picnic, and settle in for an easy summer evening downtown. Take a stroll, grab dinner or drinks in the neighborhood, hop on The Hop, or take a ride along the river as the city starts to come alive for summer.

Free admission • All ages welcome
📍 Milwaukee County Historical Society
🗓 Thursday, June 4 | 4–6 PM

Next week, It’s Alive! returns to the Milwaukee County Historical Society with a free live performance by on our riverside patio 🎶 Join us on Thursday, June 4 from 4–6 PM for an evening of local music, Milwaukee history, and summer in the city.

Bring a blanket, pack a picnic, and spend the evening downtown!

Free admission • All ages welcome
📍 Milwaukee County Historical Society
🗓 Thursday, June 4 | 4–6 PM

🎭 See JANE Run, An Indo Story

Join us for a powerful solo memoir play exploring love, resilience, and the American Indo experience. From her beginnings as a child refugee, Jane shares a moving story of identity, survival, and hope.

Written & Performed by Jane Vogel Mantiri
Directed & Designed by Andrés Alcalá

🗽This special performance connects to our upcoming 'We the People' exhibit, which highlights immigration stories through a Milwaukee lens.

📆 Thursday June 18, 2026
🕔 Doors open at 5:00 PM | Performance begins at 5:30 PM
🎟️ Tickets: $25 General | $20 MCHS Members

🔗Plan your visit and learn more:
https://milwaukeehistory.net/.../see-jane-run-an-indo-story/

The answer to today's Photo Trivia Thursday is Veterans' Home Grounds. The next Milwaukee History Trivia Night is tonight at Ray’s Bar (8930 W North Ave, Wauwatosa, WI). Doors open at 6 pm and the game starts at 7 pm. We hope to see you there!

Welcome back to Photo Trivia Thursday, a series that features a photo trivia question from a past Milwaukee History Trivia Night! Identify the location of this ski jump. The answer will be posted at 3 pm this afternoon.

🔨 Behind the scenes at MCHS!

“We the People: Milwaukee Stories of Immigration, Citizenship, and Community” is starting to come together as our exhibit panels are installed. 🗽

We can’t wait to share the powerful stories and community voices featured in this new exhibition opening June 12. ✨

Stay tuned for more sneak peeks!

Opening June 12 at the Milwaukee County Historical Society, “We the People: Milwaukee Stories of Immigration, Citizenship, and Community” exhibit examines the many voices and experiences that have shaped Milwaukee over the last 180+ years. 🌎

From the county’s earliest immigrant communities to new generations arriving today, Milwaukee continues to grow through the traditions, languages, cultures, and stories people bring with them. 🍲🎶🏙️

📖 Explore powerful community narratives that connect Milwaukee’s local history to the larger story as our nation nears its 250th anniversary.

✨ Discover the people, places, and experiences that continue to redefine what it means to be American.