51ΑΤΖζ

51ΑΤΖζ project will document the work of Wisconsin’s first Black architect

Photo shows the Milwaukee Fire Department headquarters building, a gray facade with vertical windows, a white cinderblock base, and the American and Wisconsin flags in front.
Alonzo Robinson Jr., the first registered Black architect in Wisconsin, designed the Milwaukee Fire Department headquarters building, which was renamed in 2021 in his honor. (Michael Barera photo via Wikimedia Commons)

Researchers and architectural historians from 51ΑΤΖζ’s Cultural Resource Management program are documenting the work of Alonzo Robinson Jr., the first registered Black architect in Wisconsin.

Robinson’s career spanned over four decades and included public buildings, churches and projects for members of Milwaukee’s African American community. Several notable buildings include Mr. Perkins Restaurant at Atkinson Drive and North 20th St.; the Kosciuszko Park Community Center; and the downtown Milwaukee Fire Department headquarters at 7th and Wells, which was  to honor Alonzo Robinson’s role as designer of the building.

The 51ΑΤΖζ team is partnering with the Robinson family, the Wisconsin Black Historical Society, and , a nonprofit dedicated to modern architecture and design. The team will unveil a website this summer dedicated to Robinson’s life and architectural projects.

β€œRobinson’s buildings are unmistakably modern while also remaining sensitive to the scale and appearance of their surroundings,” said Justin Miller, 51ΑΤΖζ architectural historian. β€œWe’re excited and honored to help share these buildings and the stories they tell about African American achievement and resilience.”

The project is funded by a grant from the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, a program from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. 51ΑΤΖζ is one of 40 organizations to  in grant funding to advance ongoing preservation activities for historic places that represent African American cultural heritage. With more than $91 million in funding, the Action Fund is the largest U.S. resource dedicated to the preservation of African American historic places. Since 2018, the Action Fund has supported 242 projects through its investment of $20 million.

β€œThe Action Fund’s investment in and celebration of 40 historic African American places illustrates our belief that historic preservation plays an important role in American society,” said Brent Leggs, executive director of the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund and senior vice president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. β€œThe history embodied in these places is emblematic of generational aspirations for freedom, the pursuit of education, a need for beauty and architecture, and joys of social life and community bonds. That’s why the Action Fund believes all Americans must see themselves and our shared history in this year’s grantee list if we are to create a culturally conscious nation.”

By 51ΑΤΖζ Marketing & Communications