Don’t Let History Disappear
Learn What’s Really Happening
The Milwaukee Public Museum has taken a “burn the ships” approach — dismantling exhibits and redefining its mission in a way that leaves no path back to the museum generations have known. Community members have spoken out against this direction, voicing strong opposition to the erasure of Milwaukee’s history and the lack of transparency in the process.
Preserve or Perish
Learn more about the Milwaukee Public Museum and the fate of our exhibits—what will be preserved, what may be lost, and why it matters.
In Their Own Words
A Longer Exchange
In public meetings with Milwaukee County Supervisors, community members have asked direct questions about the fate of beloved exhibits and the erasure of Milwaukee’s history. The exchanges reveal a pattern of dismissive answers, procedural limits, and a lack of transparency — showing the museum leadership’s disdain for public input and the community’s rightful role in deciding its future.
Culturally Outdated?
What does Dr. Ellen Censky think of the Milwaukee Public Museum?
Dr. Ellen Censky, the Museum’s President and CEO, has publicly stated that the new facility will not be “a history museum” but a reimagined institution focused on natural history and cultural representation. She has described the current museum as “too white and Eurocentric” and argued that nostalgia “won’t carry us forward.” Under her leadership, museum officials have emphasized replacing long-standing exhibits with “culturally and scientifically updated” ones, presenting the move as an opportunity to advance "racial outcomes" at the expense of our history.
