From September 15 through October 15, we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.
Visit the Milwaukee Public Museum to dive into the history and traditions of Latino cultures through special events and interactive programs, and artifact spotlights.
Special Events
Adult Misterio at MPM: Hispanic Heritage
Friday, September 11, 2026
7-9:30 p.m.
Join us for a night of misterio! Explore the mysterious side of the Museum as you put your sleuthing skills to the test. The theme is Hispanic Heritage. You'll need to pay atención to spy these cultural clues. Get ready for an extraordinary opportunity to get up close and personal with MPM's Latin American collection!
Finisher's Lounge
Once you solve the clues, enjoy chocolate tasting, cultural crafts, education stations, and música Latina.
This is an 18+ event. Groups of 2-10 are suggested. Light snacks and a cash bar will be available. Doors open at 6:45 p.m.
Member presale August 3-7; public sale starts August 8.
Kohl's Thank You Thursday: Hispanic Heritage
Thursday, September 17, 2026
11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Enjoy FREE admission and learn about the Museum's diverse collection of items from Latin America at various hands-on education stations (topics listed below) throughout the exhibit floors.
Celebración Latina
Saturday, October 10, 2026
11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
¡Celebremos juntos! Join us as we close out Hispanic Heritage Month by honoring the multiethnic raíces (roots) of Hispanic heritage.
From Their Hands to Yours: Artisan Mercadito (Little Market)
Check out the mercadito (little market) on the Museum's First Floor, where local artisans will be sharing their craft and cultural knowledge with visitors.
Artifact Spotlight: Latin America
Learn about the Museum's diverse collection of items from Latin America at various hands-on education stations (topics listed below) throughout the exhibit floors.
Month-Long Programs
MPM Closed Tuesdays.
Museum Educators will be at one or more of the following hands-on learning stations during the week and on Saturday, October 10. Programming based on daily availability; times may vary.
FREE with admission
Ritmo n' Flow: Heritage in Music
Why does Latino music have so much ritmo? Learn about musical instruments created in Latin America through the diaspora and rooted in nature. Flow to the rhythms and play some yourself!
El Maíz: From Wild Grass to Global Grain
Originating in Latin America, corn ends up on our plates in many ways. From tacos, pupusas, arepas, atole, popcorn, and cereal, corn is essential in our cuisine. Learn about this ancient grain, its domestication, and its significance in spirituality.
Chocolate: From Bean to Bar
Highlighting MPM's Rainforest exhibit, the cacao tree native to South and Central America provides the world with the ingredients to make chocolate, a global delight. Rooted in royal and sacred Indigenous ceremonies, learn more about the science and cultural significance of cacao.
Milwaukee Latino History Timeline
Latinos are one of the largest cultural groups to call Milwaukee home and have a rich history throughout Wisconsin. Look back at 150 years of Latino history and how these communities continue to shape the city.
Monarch Migration
Monarchs are one of the most recognizable and beloved butterfly species across the Americas, with some populations migrating hundreds of miles to overwinter in Michoacán, Mexico. Explore their connection to multiple cultures through science and art!
Zelia Nuttall: Archive Adventurer
Discover the life of Mexican-American archaeologist and anthropologist Zelia Nuttall, and through her work, immerse yourself in the world of ancient Mesoamerican civilizations!
Additional Resources
Hispanic Heritage Month Reading List
Want to learn more about Hispanic heritage? Check out our MPM Educators' curated booklist for recommended reading!
Collections and Exhibits
Guatemalan Marketplace
On the Third Floor, visitors can explore a life-size diorama of a recreation of the Merced Market in Antigua, Guatemala, during the mid-20th century. The Spanish erected a church there in the 1700s, which suffered damage from repeated earthquakes through the centuries. You can see the fallen and broken architectural features in this diorama.
The Kʼicheʼ Maya of the southern highlands commonly visit the market for staple items, such as beans, corn, chili peppers, rice, and bananas. While the market has moved to another location in Antigua, many of the items depicted here are still sold nearby.
Zingg-Bennett Tarahumara Collection
Robert Zingg and Wendell Bennett were graduate students at the University of Chicago when they led an anthropological expedition to study the Tarahumara in Chihuahua, Mexico, for nine months in 1930-31. The expedition was one of the first modern studies of remote Indigenous groups in Mexico, and the work published from their studies is one of the few on a culture of northern Mexico. The collection has about 400 items, ranging from basic clothing and housewares to objects used for dances and ceremonies. It is one of the earliest, most comprehensive, and largest Tarahumara collections in the United States. Some of these items can be seen in the Mexican Courtyard on the Third Floor.