How water is woven into the fabric of Milwaukee’s past, present and future.

An evening with John Gurda telling the story of how Great Lakes freshwater, numerous rivers and rich and abundant habitat was a cornucopia for many Native American tribes and European immigrants to gather and settle in Milwaukee. These waters were highways for transportation of settlers and record number of goods worldwide on canoes, schooners and large Great Lakes vessels.

Water was the elixir our ancestors used to brew volumes of world class beer, process meat into rich old world sausages and brats and hides into leather goods and drive the industry that made Milwaukee famous. Milwaukee’s future is even brighter as we are positioning ourselves to become the Freshwater Technology Hub of the World.

John is a resident of Bay View and Milwaukee native, and well-known author, Milwaukee historian, Journal Sentinel columnist, and creator of the ”Making of Milwaukee” a successful Public Television 2-part series. Gurda is also the winner of the Wisconsin Historical Society’s Award of Merit.

Presentation by John Gurda at the
Friends of Lakeshore State Park’s Annual Meeting
October 20, 2009
5:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Milwaukee Public Market
Water St and St. Paul St.
Free and Open to the Public