Milwaukee PBS Specials

Milwaukee: A City Built on Water

Historian John Gurda explores how the Milwaukee River and Lake Michigan spurred Milwaukee's growth. The settlers used rivers and Lake Michigan to transport grain, lumber, leather and beer. Learn how the lower Milwaukee River was eventually reduced to an open sewer by 1900, with Lake Michigan suffering similar indignities.

Milwaukee: A City Built on Water

53m 22s

  • Remembering The Great Circus Parade: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Remembering The Great Circus Parade

    56m 46s

    The Great Circus Parade was staged 30 times in Milwaukee between 1963 and 2009. It was known as Wisconsin's National Treasure. Milwaukee PBS proudly presents a new documentary: REMEMBERING THE GREAT CIRCUS PARADE, relive the excitement of this historic circus parade staged on the streets of Downtown Milwaukee. 🤡

  • Al Capone: Prohibition and Wisconsin: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Al Capone: Prohibition and Wisconsin

    26m 46s

    The legend of Al Capone looms large over the state of Wisconsin, but how do we know if one of the most infamous men in American history actually visited the Badger State? New photographs and correspondence reveal not only personal friendships and a more playful side of Al Capone. AL CAPONE brings to light a new angle on the man who was once public enemy number one.

  • John McGivern "Home for the Holidays": asset-mezzanine-16x9

    John McGivern "Home for the Holidays"

    57m 12s

    John McGivern serves up a steady stream of stories from his Milwaukee childhood that sounds and feels familiar to all. 

They recall an age of innocence bounded by handcrafted Christmas toys, trees purchased at the Odd-Lot-Tree-Lot, the Milwaukee Journal Calendar Gift, and life in the McGivern Household around the holidays.

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