The next time you’re walking the Streets of Old Milwaukee at the Milwaukee Public Museum, you might stumble upon the legacy of a family that shaped the city’s history.
This is the story of the Watson family, a name synonymous with resilience and progress in Milwaukee’s Black community.
In a time when freedom was a distant dream for many, Sully Watson, once enslaved in the South, charted a path of liberation.
He married Susana, a free Black woman, and secured his freedom for $500 – a monumental sum equivalent to $10,000 today.
Together, they embarked on a journey to Milwaukee with their four children, joining a small but growing community of about 100 Black residents.
In the heart of what is now Zeidler Union Square, the Watsons established their home, marking the beginning of a legacy.
Sully, with his skills as a stone mason, contributed to Milwaukee’s burgeoning skyline, while Susana’s work as a seamstress wove her own thread into the city’s cultural fabric.
Their legacy didn’t end there.
Their son-in-law, William Thomas, became one of the first Black men to vote in Wisconsin.
Their great-granddaughter, Mabel Raimey, broke barriers as Wisconsin’s first Black woman attorney and the first to graduate from UW-Madison.
The Watson family’s story is a testament to the enduring spirit of resilience and progress. Discover more about this remarkable family at The Streets of Old Milwaukee exhibit in the Milwaukee Public Museum.
The Watson family not only made history; they paved the way for future generations to dream bigger and reach higher in Milwaukee and beyond.
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Calie Herbst, Editor-in-Chief of Milwaukee With Kids, has spent over a decade combining her experiences as a parent of three to create a hub for Milwaukee’s family adventures.
Her decade-long teaching career in Milwaukee Public Schools and academic background, including a Master’s in Teaching from Marquette University and dual B.A.s in Sociology and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, fuel her passion for inclusive and engaging family content.
Calie is also a recognized voice in local media, contributing to WISN Channel 12 News, WTMJ Wisconsin Morning News, Fox 6’s Real Milwaukee, and B93.3.
Discover more about Calie’s journey and editorial approach on her About Page and Editorial Policy Page.
