Hawthorne Students Turn School Into Living Black History Museum

Milwaukee students bring Black history to life through interactive exhibits and performances

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Students at Milwaukee's Hawthorne School transformed their classrooms into a living Black History Month Wax Museum, highlighting leaders from Maya Angelou to Jesse Jackson. Their project retraced the Million Man March and drew in families and community members to explore Black history together in the school's hallways.

Why it matters

The student-led project allowed young people to take an active role in celebrating and educating others about Black history and culture. It also brought the community together around an important cultural event, fostering greater understanding and appreciation.

The details

For the Black History Month project, Hawthorne students turned 12 classrooms into interactive exhibits featuring wax figures and performances. The exhibits highlighted influential Black leaders and historical events, including the Million Man March. Families and community members were invited to explore the living museum, engaging with the student-led displays and learning more about Black history.

  • The Hawthorne School project took place in February 2026 for Black History Month.

The players

Hawthorne School

A Milwaukee public school that hosted the student-led Black History Month Wax Museum project.

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The takeaway

The Hawthorne School project demonstrates the power of student-led initiatives to celebrate diversity, educate the community, and bring people together around important cultural events. By transforming their school into a living museum, the students created an immersive and engaging experience that highlighted Black history and leadership.