Milwaukee County Historical Society Joins Civic Season, Empowering Younger Generations from Juneteenth to July 4th

The Milwaukee County Historical Society (MCHS) is proud to participate in Civic Season’s fourth year, joining hundreds of institutions nationwide in a growing tradition that encourages younger generations to explore their personal connection to U.S. history and civic life.

As the nation approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, Civic Season lays the foundation for an inclusive and meaningful commemoration – one that recognizes all stories that shape America’s past, present, and future.

Juneteenth will mark the beginning of Civic Season, a new summer tradition focused on utilizing our past to prepare for our future. Civic Season unites our nation’s newest holiday, Juneteenth, with its oldest holiday, July 4th, and is co-designed with Gen Z students, activists, thought leaders, and historians. Gen Z is the generation stepping into adult citizenship on the cusp of the United States’ 250th birthday in 2026; Civic Season invites them to have a voice in the conversations that will shape it.

MCHS will mark Civic Season locally with a Civic Season Trivia Night on Wednesday, June 25, hosted at its downtown headquarters. Doors open at 6:00 p.m., and the game begins at 7:00 p.m. The event is free and open to the public, with prizes awarded to the top teams. Trivia questions are inspired by the U.S. naturalization exam, offering participants a chance to test their knowledge of U.S. history and government in a fun, engaging environment.

“Since 1965, when Milwaukee County entrusted this building to us to serve the public good, we’ve been dedicated to enriching the cultural life of our community. Civic Season allows us to carry that legacy forward by engaging new generations in understanding history, embracing civic responsibility, and seeing themselves as part of the American story,” said Olivia Hoff, Community Programs Manager at MCHS. As a steward of Milwaukee’s rich heritage since 1935, MCHS is uniquely positioned to foster connections between the local community and the broader American narrative. Through public programs, exhibitions, education initiatives, and historical preservation, the Society continues to be a hub for civic dialogue and learning.

“In five years, Civic Season has bloomed into a beloved ritual that connects millions of Americans with our past, present and future possibilities,” said Caroline Klibanoff, Executive Director of Made By Us. “The creative events, local community gatherings and self-guided learning journeys help us all explore ‘how we got here’ and take action to shape the future.” Civic Season is made possible with support from AMERICAN HERITAGE® Chocolate, StickerGiant, and Frontline Impact Project. It aims to reach 75 million young adults by 2026, inviting them to play an active role in shaping the future of our democracy.

About the Milwaukee County Historical Society

Founded in 1935, the Milwaukee County Historical Society is the place to learn about and celebrate Milwaukee’s past. Through exhibitions, education programs, the research library, four historic sites, and special events, MCHS connects residents and visitors with the people, stories, and events that have shaped Milwaukee County. The Society preserves over one million documents and photographs and more than 75,000 artifacts.

For more information about the MCHS or Civic Season Trivia Night, please visit www.milwaukeehistory.net or follow us @MKEHistory on Facebook and Instagram.

About Made By Us
Powered by an alliance of hundreds of history museums and historic sites, Made By Us creates programs and digital platforms to connect young people with the past in meaningful ways. Through initiatives like My Wish For U.S., Youth250, and Civic Season, Made By Us provides opportunities for civic engagement and historical understanding leading up to the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026. Learn more at historymadebyus.org or follow @historymadebyus on Instagram.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.