Program

Wisconsin Historical Society

Subject

Arts & Culture, Building, Event, Site

Location

1531 W Vliet St, Milwaukee, WI, USA

Lat/Long

43.0481219, -87.9319956

Grant Recipient

Wisconsin Historical Foundation

Historic Marker

15TH STREET FREEDOM HOUSE

Inscription

15TH STREET FREEDOM HOUSE

IN THE SPRING OF 1967, THE YOUTH COUNCIL RENTED A PROPERTY AT 1316 N. 15TH STREET AS A SECOND FREEDOM HOUSE. DURING THE INITIAL PLANNING OF THE DEMONSTRATIONS THAT BECAME THE 200 CONSECUTIVE NIGHTS OF OPEN HOUSING MARCHES IN 1967–68, THE 15TH STREET HOUSE WAS AN IMPORTANT BASE AND EXPANDED THE YOUTH COUNCIL’S PRESENCE IN THE CITY, DRAWING NEW MEMBERS TO THE CAUSE.

AFTER A MARCH ON AUGUST 29, 1967, POLICE FIRED TEAR GAS CANISTERS INTO THE 15TH STREET FREEDOM HOUSE. YOUTH COUNCIL MEMBERS INSIDE THE HOUSE MANAGED TO ESCAPE, BUT THE HOUSE WAS DESTROYED. THE NEXT DAY, THE YOUTH COUNCIL, LED BY FATHER GROPPI, AND THE YOUTH COMMANDOS HELD A RALLY OUTSIDE THE BURNED-OUT HOUSE, AND MARCHED ACROSS THE 16TH STREET VIADUCT, DESPITE A CITY WIDE CURFEW AND A HEAVY POLICE PRESENCE, DEFIANTLY AFFIRMING THEIR COMMITMENT TO FAIR HOUSING. AFTER THE DESTRUCTION OF THE 15TH STREET HOUSE, THE YOUTH COUNCIL MOVED TO A THIRD LOCATION, ON 3RD STREET AND NORTH AVENUE.

ERECTED 2024
MARCH ON, MILWAUKEE
FUNDED BY THE WILLIAM G. POMEROY FOUNDATION