Don Schwamb retires from History Project leadership

Milwaukee, WI. - Don Schwamb, founder, webmaster and treasurer of the Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project, has announced his retirement from the Board of Directors.

"After retiring from the professional workforce in 2020, I expected to have more free time for the History Project" said Schwamb. "Instead, I find my time limited by other interests, and I'd like to focus my retirement on those other interests."

"It's time to pass the torch to the next generation -- and let our new volunteers with different perspectives, a broader range of skills and talents, and limitless ambition to carry it forward."

As webmaster, Don will continue to lead website redesign with Rockstar Design. After launching the Phase I website in October 2023, the Project now begins Phase II to migrate their archives (people, places, events, orgs and media) to the new format. Don will also continue to add new content from his accumulated files.

"Anyone who knows me knows that I could never retire completely," said Don. "I intend to focus my energies on my life's work -- the Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project website -- as we continue to add exciting new content and migrate our archives to the new site experience."

"We've gone from a one-man show, to a two-man show, to a full board, to a statewide network of history lovers, researchers, and champions. There has never been a better time for me to make this move."

Don looks forward to seeing what the History Project discovers in the years ahead.

"LGBTQ history isn't just hidden history," said Don. "It is history that is constantly being erased out from under us. It is history that is dying all around us. But we reclaim more of our history every day. Every day, we get another testimonial, another tip, another opportunity to protect memories and experiences from being lost forever."

"Wisconsin now has its first LGBTQ historic landmark," said Don. "This monument is a reminder of what might have been lost, if there weren't ambitious historians listening, exploring, and doing the legwork to research what actually happened, not just gather unsubstantiated stories."

"It's also a reminder that our work is never, ever done."

Don's story was celebrated by OnMilwaukee in 2018. In 2022, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors.

Three decades of progress

Thirty years ago this summer, the Stonewall 25 celebration sparked a national consciousness of the unique and inspiring histories of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people across America. In Milwaukee, researchers partnered with Jim Kepner of the ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives of Los Angeles to create the city's first history exhibit at PrideFest 1994. 

At the time, no school in Wisconsin had ever taught LGBTQ history -- much less offered accredited curriculum or coursework -- despite Louis Stimac of Gay People's Union teaching "gay studies" as early as 1975.

Don Schwamb, a committed community volunteer, had already been involved in Gay People's Union, PrideFest Milwaukee, the Milwaukee AIDS Project, and BESTD Clinic. He'd served on the leadership teams of Cream City Foundation (president,) the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin (vice-president,) and GAMMA (president.)

But now, he had a new and exciting passion: working with the community to chronicle the long-hidden history of LGBT Milwaukee, through the oral histories and lived experiences of elders who came out long before Stonewall. At a time before widespread internet access, on-demand digital documentation, social media crowdsourcing, and even mobile phones, Don personally curated the state's largest collection of LGBTQ multimedia.

For the first twelve years, the History Project was Don's personal passion project. He personally curated all content, built the website, and funded all costs himself. Despite calls for community involvement, Don did not receive significant volunteer support until 2006.

In 2021, the History Project became an incorporated educational non-profit in the State of Wisconsin, as well as a fiscal program of Cream City Foundation.

The Board of Directors, founded in 2023, launched a three-year transformation plan to expand, diversify, and evolve the organization for the next generation. These plans included the creation of a statewide Community Advisor network, a new team of volunteer storytellers, a 30th anniversary statewide outreach tour, and the dedication of Wisconsin's first LGBTQ historic landmark, upcoming heritage programs to support educators and parents, and a strategic plan with the Helen Bader Institute for Nonprofit Management.

The Board has also initiated a series of training sessions, workshops, and listening events in collaboration with local organizations, national consultants, and communities of color, to strengthen their commitment to equity, inclusion and cultural belonging.

QUESTIONS? Contact wislgbtqhistory@gmail.com;